Jim Coda Nature Photography

April 28, 2011Uncategorized

Old Saint Hilary’s Church; Tiburon, California

This is a photo of Old Saint Hilary's Church with Angel Island, Alcatraz and San Francisco in the background. — Old Saint Hilary’s Church, Tiburon, California

This is another photo from the same spot as yesterday’s photo. It was taken moments earlier and with a wider field of view. Historic Old Saint Hilary’s Church is in the foreground. It was built in 1888. Local citizens bought the property in 1959 after the Catholic Church deconsecrated it and was about to demolish it. It is owned now by the Belvedere-Tiburon Landmarks Society and is used for weddings and other memorable events. Between the church and San Francisco are Angel Island and Alcatraz Island. The area around the church is known for its wildflowers.

April 27, 2011Uncategorized

San Francisco Skyline and Alcatraz

Photo of San Francisco skyline at night. — San Francisco Skyline from Tiburon

Two days ago I posted a photo of San Francisco taken from the town of Tiburon. It included a part of Tiburon, Angel Island and Alcatraz. I decided to go back last night to see what the scene looked like at night. This photo focuses more on San Francisco and Alcatraz.

April 26, 2011Uncategorized

Tule Elk Bulls Sparring with their Hooves, Point Reyes National Seashore

Photo of two tule elk bulls fighting with their hooves. — Tule Elk Boxing, Point Reyes National Seashore

These two bulls were sparring with their hooves because their antlers obviously aren’t ready for fighting. This photo was taken yesterday near Pierce Point Ranch just as the sun was setting. Chrysler was there shooting commercials for several of its cars and trucks. It occupied the Pierce Point Ranch parking lot, the McClure’s Beach parking lot, and the east side of the road leading to the ranch. It looked like a movie set. They may be out there today as well.

This photo was underexposed about one and a half stops because the mode dial on my Canon 7D got moved inadvertently from AV to manual. This happens too easily and frequently. Canon now offers to fix this problem for a fee. I don’t know why Canon hasn’t always made the prosumer cameras so that the mode dial can’t be changed inadvertently. You shouldn’t have to send in your camera to prevent this from happening.

April 25, 2011Uncategorized

A View of San Francisco and More

Photo of Angel Island, Alcatraz Island and San Francisco from the City of Tiburon. — View of Angel Island, Alcatraz and San Francisco from Tiburon

There is a hill in Tiburon that is a nice place to photograph San Francisco from. You not only get San Francisco, but Alcatraz Island, Angel Island and a piece of Tiburon itself.

April 23, 2011Uncategorized

Red-winged Blackbird

I like and enjoy seeing all wild birds. Okay, I’ll admit that I like some more than others. Take today’s photo for example. It’s not a bald eagle. It’s not a peregrine falcon. It’s not a great gray owl. It’s a red-winged blackbird. Still, I was happy to have the opportunity it gave me to photograph it and to try to create an attractive image.

April 20, 2011Uncategorized

Fort Cronkhite, Golden Gate National Recreation Area

Photo of old Army buildings and Rodeo Beach at what was once Fort Cronkhite. — Old Fort Cronkhite

This is a view of Fort Cronkhite from a ridge to the south of it. Fort Cronkhite was completed just before the attack on Pearl Harbor. The wood-framed buildings were considered “temporary” and housed barracks, mess halls, kitchens etc. They’re still very serviceable. The western portion of Fort Cronkhite has been preserved as an historic landmark. A portion of Rodeo Lagoon is visible between the beach and the buildings.

April 20, 2011Uncategorized

Northern Harrier Asks: “Are you finished?” Pt. Reyes National Seashore

Photo of a male northern harrier. — What are YOU looking at?

This male northern harrier looks like he’s getting fed up with something — maybe me. Birds seem to look that way sometimes. It reminds me of the mad duck image I posted here. Maybe it’s more like: “Oh no, not you again.” It’s funny, herbivores often look like they are smiling. See my post on the bison calf below. Also, the cow elk here. Carnivores seem to have more of a poker face, but even with them I’ve seen what looked like a smile. I’m thinking of this one wolf that seemed to be smiling. See this link. Of course, I should mention the always-smiling porpoises and dolphins. And then there are the chimpanzees who not only smile, but laugh. Maybe I need to spend more time doing landscape photography.