A young Black Skimmer practices his tecniques.

There is a lesson here for new photographers always have extra chips and battery's. If you think you can get the good shots after you hike back down the beach for a mile I think not. Even the same place the next day It's unlikely to have the subjects, the light, the timing. Really when a trip to the beach may be another 20 years away BE PREPARED like the boy scouts say. The best shots were with my eyes I wish I could down load my brain photos.

"Walk Like This" Charley Brown Pelican said.

Some time ago I visited another pelican. After watching many of them fish near the pier. Some came to rest on the pier. I was awed by their skill to catch small fish tossed to them by some fishermen there on their way home. They never missed a fish even when they were tricked. A few years later I wrote a poem about my visit.

... da daah...

THE FISHER . by Tom Stanley Janca

One day when I was at the sea, this old pelican said to me.

I love to fish. I love to fly. I love to take a dip.

I love to catch those little fish and swallow them with a flip.

I love to turn around and turn around and shake my tail and flutter.

Now it's time to go and fly and fish and dive into the water.

I love to fish. I love to fly. I love to take a dip.

I love to catch those little fish and have them for my supper.

I love to turn around and turn around and shake my tail and flutter.

It's time to go, a kick, a step, I'm in the air, its time to leave the water.

Into the air into the sea a thousand times or more.

Now you know why? I sit on this rock it is to rest upon the shore.

© Tom Stanley Janca.

Big Water Lilly Flower.

Just go for a walk at the Encinitas botanical gardens and every where there are wonders for the photographers to see. I first thought that this Flower was a fake plastic flower stuck in the pond. Well I was wrong. It was real and beautiful and was the size of a volleyball .

There were two kinds of water Lilly's, both were very pleasing to the eye. This flower matches the giant Lilly pads. If not some botanists will correct me and then I can fill in the scientific names.

Water Lilly Pad

I seem to be amazed again. This water lilly pad is about 2 foot to 3 foot in diameter and has 1.5+ inch edge. See my next blog for the picture of the flower.

Eucayliptus Tree

Have you seen the eucalyptus tree in the park?
Just at sunset, before dark,
Black lace against the sky,
Shimmering in the breeze passing by.
Many times I walked right by,
It never even caught my eye.
One day I reached right up and picked a leaf.
It smelled so good I pick some more.
Was just like the medicine Mom got at the store.
Now as each day passes, on my walk by the eucalyptuses.
I smile as I remember all my Mom's Kisses es.

by © Tom Stanley Janca. 2004

Yellow Footed Egret " Do This" a triple neck twist.

And you said it couldn't be done, well here is proof. (Twist not modified)

Black Neck Stilt

Not the typical pose for the black neck stilt. Where is the long legs the long neck.

Oh well I will have to settle for the next big symbol. You know like the smiley face, only this one means!

DO YOU GET MY POINT.

Yellow Footed Egrets teaching chick how to find food.

It is most Interesting to watch egrets fishing. If you get a chance to see close up their yellow feet are like hands slowly moving under weeds and moss to scare out the fish. Where they get caught very quickly by their spear like beak. If you are lucky you may see their happy dance usually after they catch and eat a fish.

I find it very amazing how fast birds go from the egg to adult size. I also find that they are taught how and what to eat by their parents.

A young Black Skimmer learning to skim.

I saw my first Skimmer near San Diego Ca. that was about 1980. There after I told a tale of a strange and very talented Bird. It flew at night through the cables, posts

boats, rigging's, docks . It flew very close to the water and skimmed out little fish as streaked the water with its beak. It would hit a fish and quickly catch it and not catch little sticks and small trash in the water. The streaks in the water was what I noticed first. I gazed over the boats and docks I would see white streaks in the water finally they flew right by me and I was amazed by their precising flying at night. I did some research to find out what kind of bird. Now 30 years after that I finally got to see two more and I was not disappointed. They were just like I remember. I was so glad I could get some pictures of them. There were some little kids chasing them and they were so agile in such a small area, fighter pilots could take lessons.