Tuesday, December 4, 2012

Close Encounter


Yesterday, I experienced a close encounter with a roadrunner.  I was having an iced tea in the outdoor cafe at the Desert Botanical Garden and watching the hundreds of quail that hang out in the area when suddenly this fellow came into the picture.  He must have noticed that the quail were having good luck enticing the lunch crowd to toss out some crumbs and he thought he'd see what he could get.


He stayed around long enough for me to get about 30 photos of him.  About 15 of those photos turned out pretty darn good!  I talked to a lady from Boston who arrived in time for this fellow to walk up just a few feet from her and stand there long enough for her to take some photos.  We both agreed that it's  great to be in the right place at the right time and have your camera ready.
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13 comments:

  1. brattcatDecember 4, 2012 at 4:27 AM

    beep, beep. how amazing to see one of these guys holding still.

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  2. Dave-CostaRicaDailyPhoto.comDecember 4, 2012 at 5:15 AM

    This is amazing. Roadrunners are elusive and not often and easily spotted. I saw one on our patio in our back yard once. Just once.

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  3. UnknownDecember 4, 2012 at 5:19 AM

    WOW! Fabulous! I have never seen such a fantastic close up the coyote's "friend"! :-)

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  4. ThérèseDecember 4, 2012 at 7:25 AM

    Lucky you! Fabulous! Not such a pretty "cuckoo" over here...
    p.s. to answer your question: yes the guy was standing in the middle of the street. He just ran to the sidewalk when the light turned green for us...

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  5. BirdmanDecember 4, 2012 at 8:06 AM

    Ya! That brattcat beat me to it... beep, beep!

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  6. JudyDecember 4, 2012 at 8:33 AM

    Great close ups! These Roadrunners are so fun to watch.

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  7. PerthDailyPhotoDecember 4, 2012 at 9:44 AM

    So that's what a roadrunner looks like up close and personal..amazing markings and very stylish 'do'! Well done Sharon, excellent shots.

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  8. KarlDecember 4, 2012 at 11:42 AM

    WOW, great portrait of this roadrunner. I've never seen one, except in cartoons ;-)

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  9. RedPatDecember 4, 2012 at 12:33 PM

    SUPER pics, Sharon! You were so lucky to see this guy and get such fabulous pics.

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  10. GunnDecember 4, 2012 at 2:42 PM

    One to remember!:)

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  11. JackDecember 4, 2012 at 8:35 PM

    These are really good, Sharon. He posed so well for you. AND, you were ready and had steady hands.

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  12. Mary Helen-Art Saves LivesDecember 4, 2012 at 10:20 PM

    wow I tried to get a photo of these guys...but ...they are too fast for my camera... Thanks Mary Helen Fernandez Stewart

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  13. KathyDecember 5, 2012 at 1:58 AM

    This first photo certainly shows off his feather patterns and the beautiful colors. You certainly were in the right place -- beep, beep!

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