cazalea[Seiko Moderator]
17630
Dawn Down by the Riverside
Feb 11, 2024,23:55 PM
OK, I must confess it wasn't quite dawn. More like 7 am but it was cool, clear and quiet as we walked along past the athletic fields. We looked to the west
![](https://storage.googleapis.com/pubzapuscentral/watchprosite/timeout/224/raw/timeout_7770106.jpg)
but headed east on the path upriver.
![](https://storage.googleapis.com/pubzapuscentral/watchprosite/timeout/316/raw/timeout_7770111.jpg)
No one out except a few joggers. Too early!
![](https://storage.googleapis.com/pubzapuscentral/watchprosite/timeout/169/raw/timeout_7770101.jpg)
But the light was just right.
![](https://storage.googleapis.com/pubzapuscentral/watchprosite/timeout/246/raw/timeout_7770116.jpg)
The shore birds were having breakfast.
"Campers" were still asleep in the Don't Park Overnight parking spots. Those signs are usually ignored, as are the Keep Your Dog on a Leash signs. Camper experts - does this rig look overweight to you? It did to me!
![](https://storage.googleapis.com/pubzapuscentral/watchprosite/timeout/103/raw/timeout_7770126.jpg)
Hippie camping zone.
![](https://storage.googleapis.com/pubzapuscentral/watchprosite/timeout/193/raw/timeout_7770136.jpg)
Concierge level camping.
Back to the river!
![](https://storage.googleapis.com/pubzapuscentral/watchprosite/timeout/381/raw/timeout_7770141.jpg)
The light was right and the colors bright. The birds were happy too.
![](https://storage.googleapis.com/pubzapuscentral/watchprosite/timeout/319/raw/timeout_7770156.jpg)
As it does about 2/3 of the time, the Sony camera focus was right on.
![](https://storage.googleapis.com/pubzapuscentral/watchprosite/timeout/104/raw/timeout_7770151.jpg)
I spotted this hummingbird and it took about 10 photos to get a sharp image. So much depends on the light, the angle, the wind ...
![](https://storage.googleapis.com/pubzapuscentral/watchprosite/timeout/399/raw/timeout_7770166.jpg)
This bird flew away then back twice before I got a close image. That's a tip for hummingbird fans - they usually leave (if you even point at them from 30 feet away) but almost always return to the same perch within a minute or two.
We heard rumors that a well-known OB Owl was out in public, virtually signing autographs. We got in line with the rest of the paparazzi.
![](https://storage.googleapis.com/pubzapuscentral/watchprosite/timeout/362/raw/timeout_7770181.jpg)
Yes, a local burrowing owl. The first time I've seen one up close after dozens of tries to spot them.
![](https://storage.googleapis.com/pubzapuscentral/watchprosite/timeout/343/raw/timeout_7770176.jpg)
Never forget that San Diego is semi-desert climate, no matter what rain falls.
![](https://storage.googleapis.com/pubzapuscentral/watchprosite/timeout/266/raw/timeout_7770186.jpg)
Bad hair day? err I mean, bad feather day?
![](https://storage.googleapis.com/pubzapuscentral/watchprosite/timeout/182/raw/timeout_7770196.jpg)
Much better
![](https://storage.googleapis.com/pubzapuscentral/watchprosite/timeout/132/raw/timeout_7770206.jpg)
This bird was looking for a change in venue.
![](https://storage.googleapis.com/pubzapuscentral/watchprosite/timeout/121/raw/timeout_7770191.jpg)
I had the camera ready for a change.
![](https://storage.googleapis.com/pubzapuscentral/watchprosite/timeout/381/raw/timeout_7770201.jpg)
It looks like he almost landed on a sea lion (notice lump ahead in the water).
![](https://storage.googleapis.com/pubzapuscentral/watchprosite/timeout/123/raw/timeout_7770221.jpg)
There were a few land birds watching too.
![](https://storage.googleapis.com/pubzapuscentral/watchprosite/timeout/206/raw/timeout_7770211.jpg)
We ambled along the path looking at the river. The birds looked back at us.
![](https://storage.googleapis.com/pubzapuscentral/watchprosite/timeout/445/raw/timeout_7770261.jpg)
![](https://storage.googleapis.com/pubzapuscentral/watchprosite/timeout/282/raw/timeout_7770266.jpg)
Suddenly the "bad feather day" bird flew upriver to where we were walking as if to say, Take the keeper shot, I'm ready now.
![](https://storage.googleapis.com/pubzapuscentral/watchprosite/timeout/377/raw/timeout_7770216.jpg)
There were literally thousands of little shore birds.
We waved goodbye to the owl
![](https://storage.googleapis.com/pubzapuscentral/watchprosite/timeout/304/raw/timeout_7770231.jpg)
and headed for home as the sun was rising over the wet grass...
Cazalea