In-Flight Shots

Birds doing what birds do

Green Heron Parting Gaze
A Green Heron I photographed at the American River flying away from the fallen tree in the middle of the water where they like to perch and feed as it is close to the water and the fish that they eat.
heron bird birds flight animals nature greenheron
Cupric Bittern
An American Bittern making a banking turn as it flies past. The name for this photo is what it is because I think the colors of its wings resemble burnished copper, very beautiful to look at.
Bittern bird birds animals nature flight AmericaBittern
Nesting Material
White-Tailed Kite carrying away a stick to use in its construction of its nest, gazing back at me as it deviates direction.
bird birds animals nature raptor stick flight kite
Fanned Out
Male Great-Tailed Grackle flying past with its most identifying feature proudly displayed in its wake.
bird birds animals nature flight grackle tail
Sleek
Another Grackle flying past me with its tail splayed flat this time, appearing quite a bit more sleek.
bird birds animals nature flight grackle
Thank You In Advance
This one was very special; I saw this Swainson's Hawk in a tree in the distance in the direction I was going. It took flight when I got in the immediate vicinity and flew across an open field to a pine tree where it lit again. I watched it go and admired it but paid it little mind, but as I continued to make my way down the trail I saw a speck out of the corner of my eye. It was the Swainson's again. I raised my camera and said "Thank you" because I knew it was going to fly right over me. Of course it did, and it had a bit of material for its nest to add a bit more subtext to the photo apart from just a bird in flight. Thanks again gorgeous, wherever you are.
hawk bird birds animals nature raptor flight Swainson'sHawk
Morning Surprise
I wasn't expecting a Swainson's Hawk to fly right over me when I stepped out of my car early one morning at Mather Lake, but when I heard its soft 'caaaaw' I knew that was the only thing it could be. It was, and still is, one of the most detailed photos I've ever gotten of a Swainson's Hawk.
bird birds animals nature hawk Swainson'sHawk raptor flight
Territorial Infringement
One of the many reasons I love working at a golf course is that I get the opportunity to observe and quietly revere the natural aspect of it. We have two types of hawks nesting; Red-Shouldered Hawks and Red-Tailed Hawks. This is one of the latter, screeching as I walked close to the tree where it has made its residence.
bird birds animals nature hawk raptor RedTailedHawk flight
Head-On
Turkey Vulture I saw whilst on a walk during one of my volunteer shifts at the Cosumnes River Preserve. Before banking at the behest of a thermal it flew directly at me, kind of an eerie image before one realizes they have no interest in active predation.
bird birds animals nature vulture Turkey Vulture flight
Hawk Leer
Adult Red-Tailed Hawk glaring at me as it flies away from its nest.
bird birds animals nature hawk raptor flight RedTailed Hawk
One Thing You Have To Get...
... are the blood-red eyes of a White-Tailed Kite.
bird birds animals nature raptor kite flight WhiteTailed Kite

Sam Davidson's Image Studio

In-Flight Shots