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MikeI
3rd of December 2007 (Mon), 02:51
I'm lucky enough to live fairly close to the Sacramento Wildlife Refuge. Their auto tour is amazing and full of wildlife. I try to get up there at least a few times a year. Today was my first trip since last winter.

The weather was ugly....winds were 20+ and a thick ceiling of clouds threatened rain all day. I shoot JPEG's most of the time, but with today's conditions, I shot RAW. I find myself leaning more towards RAW, but the workflow just kills me! I either need CS2 (or CS3), lightroom, or a faster PC.

Nothing spectacular, but I managed to get really close to a peregrine. This was uncropped.

All shots w/ a 40D and 300 f/4 IS w/ 1.4 tcon.

Thanks for looking!

http://www.irelandphotoanddesign.com/photos/228146606-L.jpg





http://www.irelandphotoanddesign.com/photos/228143111-L.jpg




http://www.irelandphotoanddesign.com/photos/228144395-L.jpg
Hikin Mike
3rd of December 2007 (Mon), 04:05
Great shots!

I've never been there, but I'm pretty close to both Merced NWR (~15 miles) and San Luis NWR (~40 miles) and try to go there "often"!
eccles
3rd of December 2007 (Mon), 08:27
The raptor shots are first class. What's the second one?
ErikT72
3rd of December 2007 (Mon), 09:15
#2 is a Northern Shoveler, aka Spoonie.
Great shots Mike. Getting that close to a wild Peregrine must've been really exciting!
pttenn
3rd of December 2007 (Mon), 10:40
Terrific shot of that peregrine--you must have been right under him!
Karen
MikeI
3rd of December 2007 (Mon), 17:35
Terrific shot of that peregrine--you must have been right under him!
Karen

Not quite, but he was close!!! He was in a tree on the side of the road I was on. I had to wiggle out of the driver's side window and shoot over the top of the cab. I couldn't believe he stayed put. Never seen one that close before...
T.D.
3rd of December 2007 (Mon), 17:37
Fabulous! What do you mean, "nothing special?" I'd be so excited if I got that close to a Peregrine I'd probably forget to shoot!

And the detail on the Northern Shoveler is fabulous.

Well done!
Maureen Souza
3rd of December 2007 (Mon), 17:39
Great shots..... we were just taking about the refuges and wetlands in another thread.

I'd like to make a trip up there in late springtime. It's on my TO DO list.
ngannet
3rd of December 2007 (Mon), 18:54
Awesome shots, very inspirational! You did exceptionally well with the light. I especially love the Peregrine shot...man was he staring you down!!!
Najo
3rd of December 2007 (Mon), 19:12
Looks like a great place, nice job with the Peregrine!
tom ryan
3rd of December 2007 (Mon), 19:25
Well exposed images, nice color, lots of sharp detail...I love that look on the Falcon, but I have a soft spot for the Shoveler. Well Done!
...tom