Photographing the Incredible Beauty of Wildlife and Landscapes While Exploring Close to Home

Jul 23

There’s not a day that goes by that I don’t consciously appreciate where I live, or that I have the ability and means to enjoy photography in this area. Sometimes that means simply heading out to my garden, and sometimes that means taking a trip to the coast. If I’ve planned ahead well, it means traveling to various locations in the western United States and beyond. The variety and incredible beauty of the wildlife and landscapes that are found here are abundant. I’ve barely scratched the surface. Yet, I can visit the same place over and over while still walking away with unique photos. This holds true for the Point Reyes National Seashore.

Point Reyes National Seashore

Until a few years ago, I had only visited the Point Reyes area probably twice. I would explore the area and photograph landscapes in which I thought had nice lighting or interesting lines or formation. But, later I learned that this area was wonderful for wildlife. Isn’t it funny that you look right past something until it is on your radar, and then you see it everywhere? That’s what happened with me and Point Reyes National Seashore. Once I discovered the abundant wildlife opportunities there, I saw them everywhere!

It also helped to have a couple of like-minded fellow photographers who were interested in wildlife photography. We hired a guide and he was able to find, point out, and lead us to a plethora of animals.

I am really not good with identifying birds, but I’m learning, sometimes even surprising myself!

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Recently, I was inspired to stay a little closer to home since I’ve enjoyed so many wonderful trips in the last few months. I think it is important to find the beauty at home as well as distant locations. Sometimes I forget what a gorgeous area this is and that many people travel HERE to Northern California to photograph landscapes and wildlife.

From past trips

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I hope you are able to explore close to your home and find some interesting subjects to photograph. I’d love to hear about your favorite places to shoot both near and far. Make it a great week!

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Sandhill Cranes in the Central Valley | Nature in Northern California

As my interests evolved in photography subjects, I became interested in wildlife and, ultimately, birds. Because birds are everywhere, they are just such a great subject. Each year during the winter there are thousands of sandhill cranes in the valley who over-winter here.

Revisiting Mono Lake Landscape

The eastern Sierra is a huge draw in the autumn because of the beautiful fall color. From the rugged tufas and amazing fall color to the wild horses in the area, there is always an abundance to see and photograph this time of year.

Aspens in Autumn Yellow | northern California landscape photographer

Autumn! Like many of you, it's my favorite time of year. After a warm summer (okay, HOT), the cooling temperatures are welcome. Crisp mornings and cool evenings with lovely, comfortable days. They're the best! But those changing colors are what I really look forward to in fall.

National Parks Service 108th Anniversary | Landscape photographer

Different national parks visited and photographed by Nadeen Flynn Photography.

My Montana Visit to Glacier National Park

Scenes of Glacier National Park

Common Loons of British Columbia, Part 2

Common loons, known for their haunting calls and striking black-and-white plumage, are iconic waterbirds found in North America. Their fascinating behaviors during the breeding season, particularly in caring for their chicks, offer a glimpse into the intricate dynamics of avian family life. Unfortunately for me, we do not have many loons in Northern California near where I live.

Loons of British Columbia

From the first time I heard the call of loons on a nature program on TV, I was captivated! The calls of the loons seem a bit forlorn, mysterious, and a somewhat haunting. I wanted to see, hear, and photograph them in person. British Columbia was just the place!

Ospreys Nesting on a Power Pole Perch

Nesting on power poles might not be the first place that comes to mind when thinking about birds building their homes, but for ospreys, it's a common occurrence that showcases their adaptability and resilience in the face of changing environments.

Amazing Harlequin Ducks in Yellowstone NP

When we planned our trip to Montana/Wyoming in early May there were a few things we expected. We expected to see bison, maybe coyotes, beautiful scenery, and hoped for bears and other animals. We expected the weather to be chilly. And, we planned to stay in a comfortable hotel, eat good meals, and DRIVE A LOT! We didn’t expect to see the amazing Harlequin Ducks in Yellowstone NP. Thanks to our guide, we did!

Visiting Roan Mountain | northern California landscape photographer

Several summers ago was a whirlwind. And, it all started with a trip to North Carolina to visit and photograph with my friends Kathy Roberts and Jennifer Carr. Kathy opened her beautiful home to us and created a photographer's dream schedule for us beginning with Roan Mountain on our first full day there.

Egrets’ Courting Ritual | Northern California Fine Art Photographer

There is a small greenbelt area in the center of a little town near where I live. As I was driving down the Main Street, I noticed a rookery in a large tree near the center of the greenbelt. It was full of great egrets and great blue herons as well as a few other smaller birds. I was so surprised to see them, but they have apparently adapted to city life. When I returned a few days later I was able to capture the snowy egrets’ courting ritual and nest building.

Alabama Hills | Northern California landscape photographer

At first sight, the Alabama Hills landscape appears chaotic, full of lines and textures, and as with many new areas there is a feeling of ‘Where do I begin?” as you take it all in. This was my second visit to the area so at least this time, I had an idea of what a few of the photography possibilities were and where to go to achieve them.

Manzanar | Northern California Landscape Photographer

Manzanar Relocation Center is one of ten ‘internment’ camp locations of the 40’s after the Japanese bombed Pearl Harbor and thus pulled us into WWII. Immigrants and CITIZENS of the USA with Japanese heritage were all required to leave their homes and belongings.

Forests of the Northern California State Parks

Surrounding oneself with nature is a sure way to renew, de-stress, and relax. That is exactly how I felt while visiting the beautiful coast and forests of the Northern California State Parks last summer. Because it is a bit remote in many areas, there is no cell coverage and no internet.

Sandhill Cranes in the Valley | Nature in Northern California

Farewell, November

It’s time to say ' farewell, November ' and jump into December. So, it was nice to enjoy a quiet morning.When I got up to refill my coffee, I opened the blinds and saw the best thing ever! FOG!

Waterfowl at the National Wildlife Refuge

I had high hopes for practicing some techniques I had recently reviewed for photographing waterfowl. With my equipment, a towel to sit on, and my coffee, it was an exciting prospect to achieve the images for which I was so hopeful.

Harlequin Ducks in Yellowstone NP

When we planned our trip to Montana/Wyoming in early May there were a few things we expected. We expected to see bison, maybe coyotes, beautiful scenery, and hoped for bears and other animals. We expected the weather to be chilly. And, we planned to stay in a comfortable hotel, eat good meals, and DRIVE A LOT! We didn’t expect to see amazing Harlequin Ducks in Yellowstone NP. Thanks to our guide, we did!

White Faced Ibis | Local Waterfowl

With the changing seasons, birds are migrating through the Pacific Flyway here in Northern California. There are some waterfowl who hang around all year and feed in the flooded rice fields. Once such species is the white faced ibis.

Great Gray Owls of Alberta

The roads were icy, the air was freezing, and there was snow everywhere. We arrived in Calgary just after their first major snow storm of the season. In the early morning hours while it was still dark, our guide picked us up and we were on our way to find, see, and photograph the Great Gray Owls of Alberta that live in the forests an hour or so outside of Calgary.

Fine Art Landscape Mosaics of Death Valley

Intimate views of the landscape of Death Valley reveal nature-made mosaics full of color and texture. I was viewing landscape mosaics, artistic patchworks of rocks, minerals, and soil in colors that are not my idea of a typical desert scene. A desert landscape is shades of brown and tan, or so I believed. This was not Death Valley National Park as I remembered it.

Project 365, Weeks 10, 11, and 12

Love at the Lake

It’s mating season for the Mute swans and they perform a very elegant mating ritual which we wanted to photograph. We had gotten to our destination at daybreak when the geese, swans, and other wildlife seemed to be just waking up. It was quite calm and peaceful without much activity.

Death Valley Color, Lines, and Textures

Traveling to Death Valley, I knew ahead of time what to expect. I'd been there before quite a few years ago. But, this wasn't the Death Valley I remembered!

Bold Snowy Yosemite in January

The Landscape of the Alabama Hills

Sandhill Cranes | Nature in Northern California

I enjoy shooting multiple genres. So a couple of years ago, I began learning to shoot wildlife - mainly birds. The Sandhill Cranes are one of the species that occupy our area during the late fall and winter. Armed with only a brief description the location in which I might find them, I headed out very early to locate and photograph them. It's hard to find birds, even very large birds, when it is still dark. But, I did.

Palouse | Day 2 | Curvy Lines

Exploring the beautiful green, rolling hills of the Palouse landscape.

Birds of Prey in January 2022

The new year arrived with so many birds in January 2022. When the weather becomes cold and foggy or rainy, getting out for landscape photography is a little more difficult. So, I look for other things to shoot. In the Sacramento Valley, we are in the heart of the Pacific Fly Zone, so there's an abundance of migrating waterfowl. There are also lots of birds of prey.

More Birds in January 2022 Week 2

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As a published, featured northern California fine art photographer living in the greater Sacramento area, I specialize in fine art landscape and still life photography. My style is authentic, fresh and personality-driven. I offer several educational opportunities including workshops and photography mentoring. You can learn about them by going to SERVICES. While currently living in rural northern California with my husband and a couple thousand walnut trees, I post regularly to Instagram.

Please CONTACT ME with any questions or to schedule your learning session.

Serving Yuba City/Marysville, East Nicolaus, Wheatland, Lincoln, Woodland, Davis, Roseville, Rocklin, and the greater Sacramento area.

(530) 633-7575

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