NEW Jacqueline Deely Photography eNewsletter!

I am pleased to announce the launch of the new Jacqueline Deely Photography eNewsletter! 

Marine Mammal Center Pup Release

My involvement in local wildlife organizations is one of the things that drives me to get out there and photograph the amazing wildlife in my area.  My hope is the images will evoke an emotional response among the viewer, that will will inspire them to get involved in conservation.

California Sea Lion Pup released at Chimney Rock

As a Kellen Circle Member of The Marine Mammal Center in Sausalito, CA, I have the benefit of being invited to select private releases of their patients as they are returned to the wild.  This past weekend I had the added bonus of seeing and releasing "Deely", a stranded harbor seal pup I had come across and help rescue at Elkhorn Slough in early April.  He was among 18 other pups released at Chimney Rock, Point Reyes, which included elephant seals and California sea lions.  It was the highest number the center has released at one time.

"Deely" is released!

The Marine Mammal Center began in 1975, rescuing sick and injured mammals along the California coastline.  This year has been especially difficult with the patient count topping close to 150.  A recent check indicates it has dropped to 80, but nonetheless, a staggering number of sick, hungry and malnourished bodies to feed and care for.  Patients include California sea lions, northern elephant seals and harbor seals, as well as sea otters, whales, dolphins, porpoises and even sea turtles.

Common reasons these animals have been rescued are:

• Malnutrition as a result of an ever-changing shift in the ocean food chain, become separated from mom during weaning, or illness
• Illnesses such as toxic algae poisoning, bacterial infections and even skin disease
• Entanglements in ocean trash
• Gunshots
• Boat strikes
• Shark bite

A Marine Mammal Center Membership of $25 comes with the benefit of attending Members-Only Night, discount Docent-led Tours (highly recommended), 10% discount in the gift shop and most of all, the satisfaction of helping marine mammals get a second chance at life.

National Geographic Live/i Speaker Series Presented by The Fox Theatre & Kepler

National Geographic Live/i Speaker Series Presented by The Fox Theatre & Kepler: 6/18/2013 - 10/8/2013 Redwood City, CA

Stranded Harbor Seal Pup

I recently came across a stranded harbor seal pup at Elkhorn Slough, a wildlife sanctuary off highway one en-route to Monterey Bay, CA.

The specific spot was in an unlikely location behind a dairy where birders and photographers frequent a large great blue heron, great egret and cormorant rookery.  I was alone at the time and could hear the faint cry of something I was not entirely sure of until I came upon a very young harbor seal lying on a stretch of mud quite a distance from the open water.

In looking through my 500mm lens, I could see it was not in the best of shape.  Red around the eyes with a discharge and loose skin indicating dehydration.  I quickly took a couple of images, packed up my gear and headed back to the car.  I always keep the number for The Marine Mammal Center handy and called their Monterey Bay number.  I was pleasantly surprised to learn they had a satelite location not far from where I was and could send volunteers out to check on the pup pretty quickly.  Within minutes their rescue vehicle pulled up behind mine and I was able to lead them into the farm and the specific spot.

Right away they knew the little guy needed rescuing and proceeded to gather the necessary equipment to perform the rescue.  We headed down to the area carrying towels and a large carrier which needed to be lowered down a slope with rope onto the muddy flat.  Within no time the pup was carefully scooped up, placed in the carrier and brought back to the vehicle.

If this seal pup had not been sighted or rescued, it probably would not have lasted much longer than another day or so...a lonely slow death.  It was brought to the Moss Landing facility for a day or two then transported to the state of the art facility in Sausalito where it will be rehabilitated and returned to the wild.

Marine Mammal Center Volunteer Rescue Crew

Since this I have learned that this year in particular there are an inordinate number of stranded seal pups being found along the California coast. After a Harbor Seal pup was rescued recently at the Palo Alto Harbor, Jim Oswald with The Marine Mammal Center said, "harbor seals pups can become stranded when they are spooked by humans or dogs.  It is pupping season, and the center advises that people do not pick up stranded seals if they are found.  Harbor seal pups are weaned from their mothers when they're between four and six weeks.  They still might be weaning, and you don't want to separate the pup from the mother."

The center, which covers marine-mammal rescue over a 600-mile area from Mendocino to San Luis Obispo counties, is currently inundated with marine wildlife.  Food shortages around the Channel Islands in southern California have overloaded rescue centers there.

The National Marine Fisheries Service estimated 1,000 young California sea lions have become stranded.  California sea lions wean at six to nine months of age.  The Marine Mammal Center is helping them out and has doubled the normal number it takes in this year.  The fish are not there for whatever reason and there have been mass strandings.

Without organizations such as The Marine Mammal Center, there would be no hope for stranded animals such as this harbor seal pup and they depend largely on donations and a dedicated volunteer base to carry out rescues such as this.  I am glad to be a member and by experiencing first-hand how they operate in the field makes my contribution all the more meaningful and worthwhile.

Elkhorn Slough - A Treasure to Keep

Elkhorn Slough (pronounced "slew') lies at the center of the Monterey Bay Coastline and is a favorite location of mine to photograph wildlife. This ecological treasure harbors the largest tract of tidal salt marsh in California outside of San Franciso Bay and provides much-needed habitat for hundreds of species of plants, animals and birds.

Each time I visit the slough I am always pleasantly suprised by something wonderful, whether it is frolicking sea otters, diving brown pelicans or a killdeer chick such as the one I encounted on a small stretch of sand at Moss Landing and now the cover photo for the 2013 Elkhorn Slough Foundation Calendar.

Estuaries like Elkhorn Slough are among the most threatened ecosystems in California, facing rates of habitat loss between 75 and 90 percent. As a result, a disproportionate number of rare, threatened, and endangered species reside in these areas. In the Elkhorn Slough watershed, two dozen species are included in these categories.

One of the remarkable features of Elkhorn Slough is the diversity of human uses represented in a small watershed. The slough hosts the largest electric power generating plant in California. Additionally, the Moss Landing Harbor, at the entrance to the slough, is one of the most active fishing ports in the State. Elkhorn Slough is flanked by major transportation corridors including three state highways and the main north-south coastal rail line for the Union Pacific Railroad. One quarter of the land in the Elkhorn watershed is in agriculture, with farms in this area producing a significant proportion of the State’s strawberry crop. Residential housing is an increasing factor while recreational activities, including boating, kayaking, and birding, have increased dramatically over the past decade.

The Elkhorn Slough Foundation, a local non-profit organization, and the Elkhorn Slough National Estuarine Research Reserve, a partnership between California Department of Fish and Game and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, are working together to conserve and restore the Elkhorn Slough estuary and its watershed.

To learn more about visiting the slough and how you can help preserve this amazing ecosystem, visit their web-site.  You can also purchase one of their beautiful calendars.  They make wonderful gifts, so pre-order yours now and help make a difference!

Bostwana Safari - Gear Do's and Don'ts

I will be heading "Back to Botswana" next May to repeat the amazing photographic safari I took last October.  Botswana totally captured my heart and the photographic opportunities are simply amazing. I  learnt a great deal about what to/not to bring, especially lenses and bodies and have a better idea as far as what I want to capture visually the second time around.

Specifically...

Cameras 

I was concerned with weight the first time around, but it ended up not being an issue and could have squeezed in the extra body.  Trying to switch lenses in the dust of the bush is tricky, not to mention the possibility of missing something you will more than likely never see again.  Having two bodies on hand ready to switch if needed is an absolute must. 

Lenses

I would have brought a 70-200mm as most of the time I was way to close to the action with the 200-400mm I had rented.  Also,  a good wide angle to get those amazing vistas!  Most of my images were close-up and I really missed out on capturing the essence of an animal in its natural habitat.  Some people brought macros to shoot insects, but if there was one lens I would probably leave behind due to space, this would be the one.

Bag
My Think Tank Photo bag worked pretty well, except when lugging it through airports.  Boy, was that thing heavy!  I was way over the carry on weight limit, but funnily enough, this was never weighed.  I am not so sure I will be that lucky next time, but with the amount of gear I intend to bring, I will have to  take my chances.  I also might invest in a bag that has wheels, so at least I have some relief in between flights.

Video
I brought my small point and shoot Nikon S70 which has turned out to be a total piece of crap and waste of money.  I had sent it back to Nikon previously as fibers were getting into the lens when it zoomed in and out.  They cleaned it and sent it back.  Well, the same thing happened again in addition to the focus not working, so any video clips I took are completely useless.  Having some good quality short clips from the trip is something I really want to have this time.  Capturing the sounds as well as the sights is like bringing a little piece of Botswana back home.

Tripod/Monopod 
I brought a tripod which ended up being of no use in the vehicle.  A sturdy monopod is definitely the way to go along with lots of beanbags, which were provided to us by Letaka Safaris.  I am also going to look into the possibility of some sort of system that would clamp onto the side of the vehicle to provide a bit more stability, especially with a large, heavy lens.

Flash
I had brought an SB-800 flash and a better beamer, but used it only on one occasion for an owl hidden in a tree.  Since we were shooting in the early morning and late afternoon/evening, I wonder if a flash might have spoiled the beautiful natural lighting.  I am still in two minds about bringing this next time.

Laptop
My macbook air was perfect for this trip and I was able to download and view my images at the end of each day.  It was also a wonderful way to view and critique each others work.  It was light and took up very little space, so it will be coming with me again for sure.

Images
The bulk of my images were of the wildlife and upon reflection, I wish I had captured more of the people I shared the trip with.  Images of the camps, the accommodation, the hardworking staff and human interaction are something I am really interested in documenting next time around.

Finally, here is a short video clip I have put together to promote the trip next May.

Last Day to Vote!

Today is the final day to vote for the people's choice award in the California Watchable Wildlife Photo Contest!

My Snowy Egrets in the Surf has moved up in the rankings, so I am in with a chance?  If you think my image is worthy of recognition at the State Capital Building in Sacramento on Monday, April 23rd, I would appreciate the vote.  I am listed second from the bottom here:

http://myemail.constantcontact.com/Vote-for-California-Watchable-Wildlife-People-s-Choice-Award.html?soid=1102176372248&aid=Z0A2EbYnh-k

Snowy Egrets @ Natural Bridges State Beach, California

California Watchable Wildlife Photo Competition

http://myemail.constantcontact.com/Vote-for-California-Watchable-Wildlife-People-s-Choice-Award.html?soid=1102176372248&aid=Z0A2EbYnh-k

My "Snowy Egrets in the Surf" image is in the running for the people's choice award in the California Watchable Wildlife Photo competition.  There are some really lovely images, so just to be chosen is a thrill in itself.

An African Love Story by Dame Daphne Sheldrick

Just ordered this book which I think is going to be an amazing read!  All purchases via the link will help generate much needed income for The David Sheldrick Trust.

An African Love Story by Dame Daphne Sheldrick

Women in Focus International Women's Exhibit 2012

I was thrilled to learn my image of two San Bushwomen taken while in Botswana last October was one of the top ten selected by Women In Focus' first International Women's Exhibit 2012 to be displayed at the Central Library Gallery in Atlanta, GA.  The image is entitled "Jewels of the Kalahari" as I felt these beautiful women are truly jewels of their native land.  Unfortunately, the San People have been mistreated like so many indigenous people around the globe.


Since the mid 1990s, the central government of Botswana has implemented a relocation policy, aiming to move the Bushmen out of their ancestral land on the Central Kalahari Game Reserve into newly created settlements. Although the government has categorically denied that relocation has been forced, a recent court ruling confirmed that the removal was unconstitutional and residents were forcibly removed.  To learn more about the San and their plight, go here.

"Jewels of the Kalahari"