One of the benefits of belonging to the photography group “Northern California Women Photographers” is the connections I’ve made with other local female photographers. So when a new friend from the group invited me to meet her in hopes of observing and photographing some love at the lake, I jumped at the chance.

Mating Ritual

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.

We photographed a few of the swans preening, a muskrat searching and feeding, and a few Canadian geese. It was a beautiful but very quiet morning. After a couple of hours, the Mute geese really didn’t seem to have any romantic notions so we began to head back to our cars to go home. Then my friend noticed that two of the birds were beginning to interact. And, sure enough, the mating ritual began.

Love at the Lake

Their movements were very elegant, tipping their heads and arching their necks, facing each other and looking away. It was as if they were performing a beautifully choreographed dance. You can imagine the sounds of camera shutters clicking away as we witnessed this beautiful ritual of nature. And, before it had barely begun, it was over.

Next, the Babies

Now we just have to wait for the babies to make their appearance.

You know I’ll be going back!

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Handbook for Beginners

Frustrated with all those buttons on that fancy camera of yours? Want to take control and get the most from your camera? Let me show you how to use your camera to create those beautiful images you’ve been wanting! You can learn the basics of controlling your camera in manual mode in my informative, beautifully illustrated guide Ready! Set! Shoot! available through The Book Patch as a printed booklet or an instantly downloadable eBook.

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

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. 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.

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

(530) 633-7575