Autumn is here!
Autumn may be my favorite time of year. Spectacular sunrises abound. Raptors are starting to pair off. Owls are vocalizing into the wee hours. Migratory birds are arriving. The Lake reflections last for hours on end. Mist rolls on the Lake each morning. The temperature is perfect, not too hot, not too cold. The list goes on…..
But first, let me show you some naked ladies 😉 (Amaryllis Belladonna). Originally found in Cape Provice of South Africa, these bulbs have done well in the San Diego region. They begin growing in early spring, straight green shoots protruding a foot or two from the ground that last for a few weeks until they wither away. A few months later the flowering stalks start appearing. The colorful pink flowers look exceptionally vibrant against the backdrop of dry, brown, late summer vegetation. They can be found around the west side trails of Lake Hodges.
Also an update on our Monarch Butterflies. It appears our second wave of caterpillars must have been predated by lizards or birds or? Of the more than 2 dozen caterpillars that we watched decimate our milkweed, only 3 made it all the way to adults. This is the most recent and the most vibrant. The slow shutter speed really captures the movement of the fluttering wings.
About those raptors. Due to their loud and regular vocalizations, some of the easiest to spot and photograph are the Red-shouldered Hawks. It’s difficult to NOT see one any given day. I’m looking forward to seeing this pair nest again in the Spring.
This giant agave went to seed several years ago but is still providing a reliable perch.
How fitting. I found this immature red-shouldered hawk sitting on my Lake Hodges Photo Tours vehicle 🙂 As with most immature raptors it wasn’t too fussed with my presence. It may also have been reluctant to move since it was still obviously quite saturated from the morning drizzle. Maybe the same bird from a few months ago?
Acorn woodpeckers are a very gregarious bunch so it’s not unusual to find several of them working one tree. This is one of a handful of images I captured in a 15 minute period. (posted to Instagram and Facebook). At least 5 birds were methodically working this oak tree.
A few days ago I found an unexpected visitor as I slipped on my gardening gloves. Apparently this small frog found the interior of my glove a secure place, until my hand came along…. Luckily I didn’t squash it. I moved it over to our succulents where I snapped a few photos. Who needs to go to Costa Rica? LOL! Baja California Tree Frog.
When walking the shores of Lake Hodges there’s always a good chance you’ll see an Egret or Heron hunting. On this morning it was a Snowy Egret. They’ll often move from one part of the shoreline to the other, wherever the fishing seems to be best. There are lots of options for photographs. This particular day I opted for the landing gear down.
As I said, one of my favorite times of year, the fall. First thing in the morning the lake temperature is a tad warmer than the air causing a blanket of mist to roll over the lake. A great opportunity to photograph Grebes.
The mist can act as a blanket, creating a surreal visual experience. This pair of Grebes looks like they are floating on a cloud. Interestingly it’s a Clark’s and Western, maybe the same pair that I saw with a chick a couple of years ago.
Another of my favorite shots – backlit courtship rushing. It’s been pretty slow the last few months but there may be a few new migratory birds starting to arrive. It’s starting to ramp up.
A small but decidedly cute invasive bird has done very well here at Lake Hodges. The Scaly- breasted Munia, AKA Spice Finch, can be found wherever there are tall grasses that have gone to seed. This small finch which originally hails from Indonesia can be found nesting in the thickets around the Lake. This particular group was at least 30 strong, most of them being newly fledged immature birds. The immature birds are easy to spot since they do not yet have their namesake scaly breast.
One evening after the recent tropical rains, at dusk I counted 14 toads while walking the trail. This may have been what this Red Diamond Rattlesnake was looking for. Watch the video until the end to see the impressive black and white tail and rattle.
I thought I’d wrap up this month with a pair of my favorite subjects. Western Grebes.
I am driven by a desire to connect people with the natural world, revealing the beauty and complexity of wildlife through my lens. This connection is not merely visual; it is an invitation to appreciate the delicate balance of ecosystems and the importance of conservation efforts. My experiences as a professional wildlife guide enrich my photography, allowing me to share insights about the behaviors and habitats of the creatures I encounter.
Please contact me directly by email if interested in heading out on the Lake or walking the area for any photography or videography. Feel free to share on your preferred Social Media, and subscribe at the foot of this page.
Until next time
And a reminder of my Website for purchasing my ART.
One of my favorite aspects of the site is the way in which a potential print can be hung on a mockup of the room in which it’s intended. The room can be changed, the wall color can be changed, and even a photo loaded of the ACTUAL room. Shop with confidence that the print will indeed compliment the room and décor. https://www.lakehodgesphototours.art/shop-art.
If there are any specific prints you’d like that are not yet on the site, please let me know and I’ll get the high res versions loaded.
