Don Alley - 1-3-2008 at 05:33 PM
Skipjack Joe - 1-3-2008 at 05:42 PM
These images are just great, Don. Looks like you made quite an effort to capture those pelicans as they drop into their dives.
I'm still enamored with boobies as well. You can almost feel the speed and violence as they just fold back to become a living missile.
You're really lucky to see this sort of thing on a daily basis.
BTW, the third image? Those look like grebes to me.
Russ - 1-3-2008 at 05:48 PM
All those images are fantastic! what camera are you using?
fishbuck - 1-3-2008 at 05:49 PM
Where's the boobies? I only saw pictures of birds. 
tripledigitken - 1-3-2008 at 06:00 PM
Great shots Don, the second one is my favorite. It's just amazing how aero they become just before they hit the water.
Ken
marv sherrill - 1-3-2008 at 06:14 PM
Great pics Don! right place at the right time!!
bajajudy - 1-3-2008 at 06:23 PM
Spectacular, Don
Thanks
Natalie Ann - 1-3-2008 at 06:38 PM
Outstanding photos, Don. I especially like the first one (boobie) and the 4th one, diving pelican. Thanks for sharing.
Nena
gringorio - 1-3-2008 at 06:44 PM
Awesome shots! I know from trail and error - mostly error - how hard it is to capture the action like you have. Thanks for posting them!
greg
Wiles - 1-3-2008 at 06:52 PM
Don,
You continue to amaze me with the quality and diversity of your pictures. Keep em coming.
p.s. yes Skipjack..those are grebes
Wiles - 1-3-2008 at 07:02 PM
A little contrast addition:
debindesert - 1-3-2008 at 07:23 PM
The "Dive-Bomber" is my favorite.
Was it a direct hit?
elgatoloco - 1-3-2008 at 07:25 PM
Great shots! Thanks!
Ken Bondy - 1-3-2008 at 09:07 PM
Magnificent Don. Awesome.
++Ken++
Don Alley - 1-3-2008 at 10:31 PM
Thanks everyone for your kind comments.
I used a Nikon D40 camera with a 55-200 telephoto lens, set on automatic. I took all of these photos this afternoon in about 15 minutes. The camera
was set for continuous shooting: hold the shutter button down and it keeps shooting. What I posted were the good photos out of about 100 shots,
something I could have never done with a film camera.
Yes, the equipment was more expensive than my old point-and-shoots, but it made it very easy to take these pictures. That and the performances of the
birds.
Some of the shots were cropped and all were resized in a Mac shareware program called GraphicConverter.
Some say that the photographer is more important that the equipment; that a great photographer can get great shots out of a cell phone camera. I don't
think I could. But this D40 has allowed me to take cool photos without a great investment in effort, practice, or experience.
Sunman - 1-3-2008 at 11:09 PM
Wonderful, crisp pictures.
Russ - 1-4-2008 at 06:44 AM
Don, Thanks for the info on your camera. I have a Kodac Z612 that has a lot of the same bells and whistles but the optics on the Nikon are definitely
superior. Seems that there are a few nomads out there that use the D-40. I use a mac too and been using iPhoto or PhotoShop to play with the photos
and use Image Well (free) to resize for posting.
SDRonni - 1-4-2008 at 10:54 AM
WOW!!! Beautiful!
Bob H - 1-4-2008 at 10:58 AM
Don, great stuff! I also use a Nikon D-40 and love it to death!
Bob H
BMG - 1-4-2008 at 11:04 AM
Wonderful photos but they are going to cost me! I need to buy a new camera now!!
Tomas Tierra - 1-4-2008 at 12:30 PM
Diving boobies aren't just a sign of aging....
GREAT pic's Don Alley!!
BigWooo - 1-4-2008 at 12:58 PM
WoW! Great photos, I can't believe how well focused the motion shots are.
bajadedom - 1-5-2008 at 06:59 PM
D-40 How much $$ to get one , I need a new camera...digital I assume!
Russ - 1-5-2008 at 07:10 PM
FYI on Nikon D-40...http://www.dcviews.com/press/Nikon-D40.htm
Von - 1-5-2008 at 07:18 PM
superfantastic my friend the 2nd one and the 5th one are amazing! thanks 4 sharing..................
K31 - 1-5-2008 at 07:50 PM
Amazing pictures!
amir - 1-5-2008 at 09:15 PM
Yes! Wow!
DianaT - 1-6-2008 at 01:50 PM
Those are really great shots! One of my favorite things to watch in the mornings are the bird frenzies out front---pelicans, ospreys, seagulls, etc.
Watching them dive is so incredible and you really captured them WELL: I am usually too busy drinking my coffee and just watching.
I did, however catch this osprey in a dive---not a clear as yours, but I love the different diving styles.
Thanks for all those wonderful shots.
Diane
Natalie Ann - 1-6-2008 at 02:13 PM
Good shot, Diane... and yes, it is interesting to see how the different bird dive.
These pelicans are hurrying on their way to dinner... so that they can do that diving thing.
Pelicans & Boobies
BajaDanD - 1-6-2008 at 09:18 PM
Pelicans & Boobies
BajaDanD - 1-6-2008 at 09:20 PM
Pelicans & Boobies
BajaDanD - 1-6-2008 at 09:21 PM
