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Adele Prandini
Photographer
Pacifica, California
Flukes and Feathers
What if you could speak to flowers and fish and trees and whales, what would you talk about?
Sun in Dew
Sometimes I have to take a moment to see what I'm looking at. To take it in, absorb it, this is where the camera comes in handy. The camera gives us the opportunity to get up close to a subject whatever that subject happens to be, plant or animal, or a mountain in the distance. It works the other way as well. We can, given the proper lens, zoom in to see the face of an insect, or the amazing details of a flower.
Hello Mr. Wilson
You might remember the comic strip by Hank Ketcham titled, Dennis the Menace. This little bird reminded me of the title character. Dennis was a little blond boy who wore cover-alls with a striped tee shirt underneath. He always had a sling shot at hand. He lived next door to Mr Wilson who he terrified constanly. So whenever Mr Wilson heard Dennis call out his name he looked for places to hide.
This is a Wilson's Warbler standing on a California bee plant - What an uplift to come upon this little bird. Just seeing this bright expression brings joy.
This is a Wilson's Warbler standing on a California bee plant - What an uplift to come upon this little bird. Just seeing this bright expression brings joy.
Hovering in Light
When you walk is as important as where you walk. You've probably heard of the 'Dawn Chorus' when birds greet the day by singing.
Leaping for Joy
The importance of play is becoming well established in scienctific communities. I say it's contagious. If you've ever watched a pod of Dolphins chase one another through the waves you know what I'm talking about.
According to Greater Good Science Center most animals have been observed playing and play does seem to make them happy and it is essential for developing a host of social, physical, and psychological skills. In 2015 a Discover Magazine article points to tooth marks on fossils that may have served as a toy for a TRex more than 65 million years ago!
Play and Neural Plasticity
Early research(2013 Canada) found that playing enhanced the young rats' neural plasticity which helped them be more flexible in their behavior later in life.
Octopuses play
Bees play
Ravens play
Whales play
Spiders play
Turtles play
Deer play
Lions - Tigers- Bears play
So play people. Play!
According to Greater Good Science Center most animals have been observed playing and play does seem to make them happy and it is essential for developing a host of social, physical, and psychological skills. In 2015 a Discover Magazine article points to tooth marks on fossils that may have served as a toy for a TRex more than 65 million years ago!
Play and Neural Plasticity
Early research(2013 Canada) found that playing enhanced the young rats' neural plasticity which helped them be more flexible in their behavior later in life.
Octopuses play
Bees play
Ravens play
Whales play
Spiders play
Turtles play
Deer play
Lions - Tigers- Bears play
So play people. Play!
Future Owl
Youth equals Hope.
YES
When a whale breaks the surface to feed or just to have a look around and there are people around to witness the event, you will hear such cheering. Seeing whales in the wild is like kissing the face of god.
Trail Companion
Ravens - Confident, curious birds. Comfortable around humans. Expert, super skilled flyers who seem to enjoy showing off their skills.
From Above
Ah the Humpback, how we love them. Not only do they sing but they write new songs each year, that they pass around the globe. So like us and yet so different - the bumps that are visible in the photo are actually hair folicles. These single hairs act like a temperture taking device. The Humpback's lifespan is similiar to our own 70 to 80 years, that is if it isn't hit by a ship or tangled in fishing gear.
Do I sound bitter? Sorry. That number 80, is the same for the number of endangered whales killed by ship strikes off the California, Oregon and Washington coast in a single year.
Do I sound bitter? Sorry. That number 80, is the same for the number of endangered whales killed by ship strikes off the California, Oregon and Washington coast in a single year.
Big Brown Eyes
You never know what is waiting just around the bend. But you can be sure it's worthy of your attention.
Take Wing
Stretching it's wings and preparing for take off. Didja know that American robins search for earthworms by sound? It's true.
Surprise
A Humpback spyhops next to a sailboat. I would love to have been on the sailboat when this Humback came out of the sea for a look around.
Cousins
Many of us feel a deep affection and afinity for marine mammals, maybe it's because like them, we come from the sea.
Inner Glow
The first time I saw a House Finch, I couldn't believe my eyes! And I could not wait until the next time I would see a House Finch on the trail. The surprise, the beauty, the expection and the gratitude.
AHHHHH
Just kicking back and relaxing on Elkhorn Slough. This is where many whale watching and kayak trips begin. A provider that I recommend is Blue Water Ventures. They offer both kayak and boat trips and much more.
Chin Up
Visible in this photo are the throat grooves of this humpback whale. Throat grooves allow a baleen whale to expand it's mouth to fill with food and water. Not all Baleen whales have throat grooves but the Humpback and Gray Whales are among those that do, Right whales and Bowhead whales do not.
Hoping for Leftovers
Companions looking to pick up an easy meal.
Listening
Listening is another way of paying attention.
Attend
Attention s p a n
Connect
Connection
Attend
Attention s p a n
Connect
Connection
Lily World
While walking with some friends at Fort Masom Community Gardens I waited and waited for the water droplet to fall. It didn't. At least not while my camera lens was pointed at it.
Whales N Water
The combination results in beauty every time.
Whale N Water2
A second example of whale and water collaborating to create water sculpture.
Gull Point of View
Sometimes it's important to look at like from an other's point of view. In this case the gull that follow the whales hoping for leftovers.
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