Doing time

My bird photography has reached a crazy level. It’s a daily thing nowadays, two hours in the morning, starting around 8 AM. I am getting good at this: my collection of good Bluebird pictures can fill a calendar, and I am talking about the 365-day calendar. On top of that, maybe a few Woodpeckers and Hummingbirds thrown in for variety.

The afternoons are good too. I am now making a habit of going to the shoreline every Thursday afternoon. Rumors of the Burrowing Owls returning have been confirmed. Two are now back at Point Isabel, the same exact spots where they have spent their last winter. One of them has been a regular for the last 7 years, and I am told their life expectancy is about 8.

The main attraction, however, is the Ridgway Rail, the elusive and endangered bird in the coastal sage wetland. I have finally figured out their habitat and habits.

Twice a month, the tide is just right: outgoing at sunset. That’s where I would find them, walking the path that’s perfect for me.

Last evening, tide was draining the wetland. The sun was setting behind me. I was positioned where I knew would be perfect. Then again, I saw it: like a chicken with long toes and a long red bill. It took its time bathing and walking along the muddy shore, looking for crabs. Just like before, it came to me, step by step, closer and closer until I could see its red eyes and every feather on its red chest.

I came home at dark, exhausted but crazy happy with the time well spent.