Description
This is a Nature field trip to photograph Great Egrets, Snowy Egrets, and Black Crowned Night Herons during their nest building time period. We should see all three types of birds flying with branches and twigs to work on their nests.

Location
The “Rookery” is at the Palo Alto Baylands Nature Preserve. It is located behind the Palo Alto airport near the duck pond.

Logistics
We will meet at the Elk’s Lodge at 7:30 a.m. and caravan to the location, planning to arrive by 8:30 a.m. Light should be good until around 10:30 a.m. We’ll be taking 101 north to the Embarcadero Exit East toward the Bay.

Photography Tips
You will want to bring a zoom lens if possible in the 70-200 range. You can bring a tripod and longer lens for shooting the birds while they are in the trees but for the in flight shots you will probably be handholding and using dynamic tracking to keep the birds in focus. If you only have prime lenses then you should bring one around 85mm and one around 200mm. There are no fees to enter the Preserve.

To Sign-Up
Contact Bernie Weinzimmer bweinzimmer@comcast.net to sign up. Those that have large cars or SUV’s are encouraged to bring them so we can carpool.