So around 2:30 p.m. I headed back to Huntington Beach State Park. I figured my digital camera battery had enough of a charge to get me through any photos I would take, and it did.
I was a little disappointed some of the missed shots from earlier were unable to be replicated because the wildlife had moved on, but I did get to see other animals that were not around in the morning.
Here's a sampling of what was around this afternoon.
My photos from earlier of these cute turtles didn't come out very well, but at least his face is in focus here.
I was able to get one decent shot of this five-lined skink before it ran off.
This was the main reason I came. I wanted to see a Rainbow Bunting. I was told by the owner of Backyard Birds that if I hung out near the nature area for at least 20 minutes, I would most likely see one. I actually saw several, but this was the best shot I could get from the deck area. I really need to start playing with the telephoto lens I bought last December, lol.
This dragonfly allowed me to get about a dozen shots before it flew off. Of course after this, I was mauled by about a dozen mosquitos, ugh.
A heron looks for fish.
A dragonfly finds the best seat in the house.
Anoles were all over the rocks sunning themselves.
Walking back along the causeway gave me a bit of a surpirse. There were two gators about 20-feet from the shoreline just hanging out in the reeds.
So overall, not a bad day for animal watching. I may go back tomorrow morning to see if I can catch some of the shots I missed this morning.
Thanks for looking at my photos.
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Comments: 50
You've got some great shots Marianne. How is the weather up there? Here we had 100 degrees, and it surely wasn't a park day.
The temps have dropped about 15 degrees. Most of the week will be the mid-80s. Still humid, but much better than what we were having. It was partly cloudy today. So that helped to keep the heat down too.
full of surprising shots!
Love the Rainbow Bunting! Outside of the colors he looks just like the Indigo Bunting that hangs out in my yard. I'm glad I only need to worry about snakes, lol. Those gators are kinda scary.
Thank you for posting your photo essay at Pretty Pictures.
I saw the blue ones too, but my shots of them are straight on and they look like a really bright bluebird. I need to use the telephoto lens for shots like this.
My favorite is the turtle. I think this is the first cute turtle I've ever seen. He's adorable!
Love the photos, really cool turtle shot. I'm planning of visiting the park and a different wildlife place this week. They actually had a photographers hike on Sunday - but I missed it. I'm hoping they will do another soon. Although I'm sure I'll be totally outclassed in the camera dept:)
Having the best camera & equipment doesn't mean someone can take a good photo. That's what I always try to remember.
What a wonderful day you had, love that bird shot and the dragon fly too. Such a cute turtle. All your photos are wonderful.
Wow. These are things we never see around here. I'd never even heard of a rainbow bunting. It's gorgeous.
Aren't they just the prettiest birds? I have seed in my feeder to attract them, but so far, I have not seen any here at the house.
Another great photo essay ,Marianne ! The Rainbow Bunting is of course a beauty ,but the capture of the face on the baby turtle is awesome !
Absolutely loved your photo essay, Marianne! I think my favorite is the cutest little face on a turtle I've ever seen! Thanks for sharing. =)
wonderful pictures... I love the turtle in the first pic, shuch a cute little face ;)
Love the turtles face, so cute. Great photos
Great shots, Marianne. I LOVE the turtle!!
What a wonderful photo essay! I agree with everyone else, the turtle's face is just adorable! All your photos are excellent!
Awesome photos! Of course, I love the turtle!
neat shots thanks for sharing..
Wonderful shots. I especially like the turtle shot. We haven't even had the time to head over to Huntington Beach this summer. Keep planning on it but just haven't been able. Hopefully at some point....
Hope you'll let me know if/when you're heading over this way. Would love to see you and the kiddos.
Can do, Mare, can do. At some point we need to have another Gather Gals meet! And I'm thinking husband-less and kid-less on my end. LOL
Yeah, we're overdue. I need to call Phyllis and make sure she's ok. She's been MIA for a few weeks and I know her dad was sick.
I just thought of what that turtle's face makes me think of!!!!!!!! That movie "Water Horse"!! LOL
Glad you were able to return for more great pictures! That turtle shot is adorable & the rainbow bunting is beautiful.
Any geocaches there?
Oh yeah, there's a bunch. I found probably half of them already. I just wasn't dressed for geocaching yesterday.
Outrageous photos! The wildlife here in southern Nevada is quite different. Thanks so much for sharing.
Oh my gosh, that turtle is adorable. Not the cuddliest of creatures, but I'd be tempted to try, anyway. I love turtles...
They are all beautiful, as usual. I think it's time for a browse through your photos again.
I'm confused. I thought Hunnington Beach was in Calif...
It may be. This is HUNTington.
You got some really great shots Marianne!!! I think the turtle and the first dragonfly one are my faves. Great captures on all of them though!!!
WOW..a most excellent photo essay...huge variety of animals
awesome shots! That turtle photo is amazing! And I'm so glad there are not lizards around here!
That bird is amazing! I have never seen colors like that. So very cool. the second photo I thought was a snake until I looked at it harder. Amazing, you did such a great job. I think I would go to that park every day lol!
I went again this morning and got some cool shots.
Are they posted? I'll go check. I have some extra time now to look at photos, yay!
I would love to see a rainbow bunting myself!
awesome photos!! the bird is beautiful I see why you wanted to see one close up!!
You are a great photographer Marianne. I love seeing your work.
"thanks for looking at my pictures" ha, thank you so much for taking the time for sharing them with us, it's always a pleasure to see what you have next. Your one of the reasons that inspired my and my better half to start taking photos. So thank you.
Great photo essay, Marianne. LOL, I love the look on that turtle's face!!!
Great photo essay. I have never seen a five-lined skink. Thanks.
WOW. Great photos. I never even knew there was a creature called a skink! I would have stayed all day if I knew I would see one of those rainbow buntings. I've only seen those in books.
I love the turtle picture
Yes, Marianne, Mark's right, you *are* one of the ones on here that inspired Mark and I to start taking photos, not that I have a clue what I'm doing, which is why I have nothing posted on here, got the Kodak Easyshare, and the software that came with it, either hates me, or I'm worse at figuring things out than I thought I was, or a combination of the two. (could be easily both!)
The camera also does videos, but... ahhh, I don't! Your photos are always amazing.
OK, where's Huntington Beach?
Marilyn
Great photo essay!
Amazing pictures. Thanks for sharing the trip.