F/5.6, 1/500, ISO 250.
Black-bellied Plover ( Juvenile )
I went to a seafood disco last week… and pulled a mussel.
Interesting Fact: Wary and quick to give alarm calls, the Black-bellied Plover functions worldwide as a sentinel for mixed groups of shorebirds. These qualities allowed it to resist market hunters, and it remained common when populations of other species of similar size were devastated. ( https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Black-bellied_Plover/overview )
F/6.3, 1/160, ISO 160.
Prairie Falcon
What do you get when you put a candle in a suit of armor?
A knight light.
Interesting Fact: Prairie Falcons are among the species of birds that seem to play—they’ve been seen dropping dried cow manure in midair and then diving to catch it. Like young ball players flipping a baseball to themselves, this may be a way to sharpen their coordination skills. ( https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Prairie_Falcon/overview )
F/5.6, 1/80, ISO 320.
California Scrub-Jay
How did the barber win the race?
He knew a short cut.
Interesting Fact: You might see California Scrub-Jays standing on the back of a mule deer. They’re eating ticks and other parasites. The deer seem to appreciate the help, often standing still and holding up their ears to give the jays access. ( https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/California_Scrub-Jay/overview )
F/ 5.6, 1/500, ISO 250.
Elegant Tern
What did one eyeball say to the other eyeball?
Between you and me something smells.
Interesting Fact: The Elegant Tern was first found nesting in the United States in 1959 in San Diego Bay, California. Since the 1980s, several more colonies have been established in California. ( https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Elegant_Tern/lifehistory )
F/5.6, 1/320, ISO 100.
California Sea Lion
Why do sea lions go to Tupperware parties?
To find a tight seal!
Interesting Fact: When diving deep, California sea lions slow their heart rates to allow them to remain underwater for nearly ten minutes before surfacing to breathe. This ability gives them an edge in the pursuit of the fish, squid, and shellfish that make up their primary diet. ( http://www.nationalgeographic.com/animals/mammals/c/california-sea-lion/ )
Through Open Lens 