Given the vacation described in the previous entry, we shot probably 1/2 hour of raw footage of California Condors, sitting on the guard rail next to us, collecting into a "gang" to look quizzically at the visitors who stopped to look quizzically at them, and some great shots of them flying overhead. This was one of the most delightful and amazing encounters of big birds we've ever had. So, it caused me to write a little pan-flute tune to use as "movie background music", called "Andes Off!"... and I've been working tirelessly for several weeks to trim the footage down to a 10-minute flight with these great creatures.
After fighting with the special YouTube uploader on Windows, I finally gave up and used a lower-quality movie format to get the size down so I could upload it from a Mac (which worked fine.) So, the quality on YouTube isn't as clean as I would like, but I think you'll get a good feel for the breathtaking experience we had up by Big Sur. I hope you enjoy the video. Be sure to leave a comment over at the YouTube video page, or here on the blog and tell me what you think... about condors, re-introduction efforts, the music, the video, etc. I am putting together the raw footage to send off to the biologists up at Ventana Wildlife Society, and possibly to the San Diego Zoo too (if they respond to my e-mail). :-)
(Updated to NEW version of the video 11/2009)
Showing posts with label big sur. Show all posts
Showing posts with label big sur. Show all posts
Wednesday, January 16, 2008
Monday, December 31, 2007
And now for something...
...Well, perhaps not entirely different than music...
In fact, I think that the anniversary/vacation my wife and I just took could well be the catalyst for a wealth of new music. Not only did we have a wonderful trip together, we kept experiencing one amazingly spectacular thing after another! First stop was a 2-night camping trip near Solvang, CA, at a place called Lake Cachuma campground.
While there, I ran across this eerily-familiar oak tree overlooking the lake. Are you suffering from Deja vu too? I could swear I've seen it as the logo for a movie company :-) Perhaps their artist slept under this same tree? We saw California quail, hawks and turkey vultures, which I dutifully videotaped. Although quite chilly at night, the projected rain forecast patiently and politely waited until we packed up and left the campground before letting loose.
We then headed up the coast toward Big Sur via the breathtaking highway-1, stopping along the way to see the jagged picturesque coastline,
and a beach full of elephant seals (which I got more video footage of, including some bellowing males and some far-too-cute pups.)
At Big Sur, we stayed at Glen Oaks, which I heartily recommend, by the way. Took a day hike around the Pfeiffer Big Sur state park, which has its own little stands of Redwoods. Oh, and a bit more video was taken, and a picture or two.
But on the way back home, about 10 miles south of Big Sur, the greatest adventure was circling overhead, or in most cases, just perched on the guard rail, waiting for us to stop by and say hi.
There were at least 20 California Condors, all tagged and re-released up here (probably many from our CRES center at the San Diego Wild Animal Park.) Some were sitting in the trees, some on the guard rail just 20 feet from us, and some spreading their wings (with 10-foot-span) and circling overhead. 
A few of these grand birds were flying just 15 feet above the roadway, giving some drivers a bit of SGBS (sudden giant bird shock) as they flew toward each other. These huge gentle birds seemed a bit too comfortable hanging out with the people, and I am hoping that they don't get injured or sick from too much human contact. Debbie V., a very helpful worker at the Ventana Wildlife Society, showed up to do some bird counting, helpfully answered questions from onlookers, and eventually had to shoo the birds off to a safer distance with a little water spray from a big squirt gun. These birds caused me to use up the rest of my video film and batteries, and we headed home to become members of Ventana, and start editing some really stunning video. 
The cuddling/grooming behavior I watched/recorded, along with the extremely graceful gliding, suggests a slow romantic waltz to accompany the video sequences... I feel more music bubbling up! Time to add this to my growing pile of New Years projects. Which reminds me... here's wishing you and your family/friends a Happy New Year, I think it will be a good year indeed.
In fact, I think that the anniversary/vacation my wife and I just took could well be the catalyst for a wealth of new music. Not only did we have a wonderful trip together, we kept experiencing one amazingly spectacular thing after another! First stop was a 2-night camping trip near Solvang, CA, at a place called Lake Cachuma campground.
While there, I ran across this eerily-familiar oak tree overlooking the lake. Are you suffering from Deja vu too? I could swear I've seen it as the logo for a movie company :-) Perhaps their artist slept under this same tree? We saw California quail, hawks and turkey vultures, which I dutifully videotaped. Although quite chilly at night, the projected rain forecast patiently and politely waited until we packed up and left the campground before letting loose.We then headed up the coast toward Big Sur via the breathtaking highway-1, stopping along the way to see the jagged picturesque coastline,
and a beach full of elephant seals (which I got more video footage of, including some bellowing males and some far-too-cute pups.)
At Big Sur, we stayed at Glen Oaks, which I heartily recommend, by the way. Took a day hike around the Pfeiffer Big Sur state park, which has its own little stands of Redwoods. Oh, and a bit more video was taken, and a picture or two.
But on the way back home, about 10 miles south of Big Sur, the greatest adventure was circling overhead, or in most cases, just perched on the guard rail, waiting for us to stop by and say hi.
There were at least 20 California Condors, all tagged and re-released up here (probably many from our CRES center at the San Diego Wild Animal Park.) Some were sitting in the trees, some on the guard rail just 20 feet from us, and some spreading their wings (with 10-foot-span) and circling overhead. 
A few of these grand birds were flying just 15 feet above the roadway, giving some drivers a bit of SGBS (sudden giant bird shock) as they flew toward each other. These huge gentle birds seemed a bit too comfortable hanging out with the people, and I am hoping that they don't get injured or sick from too much human contact. Debbie V., a very helpful worker at the Ventana Wildlife Society, showed up to do some bird counting, helpfully answered questions from onlookers, and eventually had to shoo the birds off to a safer distance with a little water spray from a big squirt gun. These birds caused me to use up the rest of my video film and batteries, and we headed home to become members of Ventana, and start editing some really stunning video. 
The cuddling/grooming behavior I watched/recorded, along with the extremely graceful gliding, suggests a slow romantic waltz to accompany the video sequences... I feel more music bubbling up! Time to add this to my growing pile of New Years projects. Which reminds me... here's wishing you and your family/friends a Happy New Year, I think it will be a good year indeed.
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