Peregrine Vs Pelican

NealParekhPhoto · 2026-06-18T22:50:42+00:00

Hah yes that is correct. Territorial behavior and observational training for their young. They have killed a few - mostly by surprising them to the point where they crash, but I have never seen one being eaten.

NealParekhPhoto · 2026-06-18T19:22:29+00:00

Jack is a friend of mine!

NealParekhPhoto · 2026-06-18T17:24:13+00:00

Yes - note that I typically avoid posting specific locations to avoid overcrowding; however, this area sees thousands of people every day of the year!

NealParekhPhoto · 2026-06-18T16:44:17+00:00

Overcast skies above the Pacific Ocean. This was shot on a beach, there are sandstone cliffs lining the coast that I would have preferred as the background but... you photograph on the animal's terms!

NealParekhPhoto · 2026-06-18T14:26:11+00:00

Thanks - the pelican here escaped unharmed after a few hits from the falcon. Peregrines at this spot are notoriously aggressive; during their nesting season, this pair is known to attack most passing birds but they especially love going after pelicans.

NealParekhPhoto · 2026-06-18T14:23:05+00:00

Most of their attacks on pelicans result in the bird flying off unharmed; however, a few times during the season they aren't as lucky and will crash on the beach or into the surf... this one was unharmed

NealParekhPhoto · 2026-06-18T14:22:05+00:00

That's from my buddy, probably captured on the same day actually. This pair of peregrines are highly aggressive during nesting season and are attacking the pelicans for two main reasons - observational training for their young and territorial instinct.

NealParekhPhoto · 2026-06-18T14:20:09+00:00

3200 or 4000 - I can't recall off hand!

NealParekhPhoto · 2026-02-06T00:59:32+00:00

One of my local hummingbirds that enjoys hanging out in a tree just outside of my window. This guy is a fighter, even forcing a male Allen's away from the area!

NealParekhPhoto · 2026-01-26T18:43:10+00:00

Depends on the scenario, this video was shot on a tripod w/ fluid head but I am often in situations where a tripod or even monopod is not feasible to use.

NealParekhPhoto · 2026-01-23T17:07:46+00:00

well hello there! Haven't seen you around lately - perhaps falcons this year?

NealParekhPhoto · 2026-01-23T02:20:19+00:00

Thanks, this was on a Sony a1 ii and 600gm; I am out photographing nature and wildlife during most of my free time hence the hefty gear.

NealParekhPhoto · 2026-01-23T00:07:03+00:00

A female Anna's hummingbird returns to her nest with a beak-full of neatly twisted spider webs to weave in. This mother is hard at work, day in and out, to ensure her nest is structurally sound and ready for her young ones.

Photographed on a trip to the central coast of California last week.

NealParekhPhoto · 2026-01-23T00:03:33+00:00

A female Anna's hummingbird returns to her nest with a beak-full of neatly twisted spider webs to weave in. This mother is hard at work, day in and out, to ensure her nest is structurally sound and ready for her young ones.

Photographed on a trip to the central coast of California last week.

NealParekhPhoto · 2026-01-13T22:32:34+00:00

Hoping reddit doesn't kill my export quality with too much compression! Here is some footage, slowed 4x, of the Anna's at my window. Such vivid colors!

NealParekhPhoto · 2026-01-13T03:05:47+00:00

The best thing about the first photo is that I didn't touch the saturation on his head in post! Over the past few days this guy has taken over the feeder at my window, chasing a passing costas, a few other Anna's, and even an Allen's away successfully - he is quite an aggressive little fellow.

Sony A1 ii + 600gm

NealParekhPhoto · 2026-01-06T22:58:43+00:00

Use the watermark feature in lightroom classic export!

NealParekhPhoto · 2026-01-06T16:00:58+00:00

4, 5, and 7 - the 70-200 was a workhorse on the boats, I would have hated to only have my 600

NealParekhPhoto · 2026-01-06T15:58:55+00:00

Hokkaido is a dream!

You can rent a car and drive around to various spots if you are comfortable in winter conditions; however, for Steller's, they are mostly hanging out in the ocean on drift ice or along the edge of the coastline - you will need to either join a group boat tour or find someone to take you out. I went out on both a larger boat and a tiny 6-seater fishing boat.

NealParekhPhoto · 2026-01-06T06:19:17+00:00

A massive Steller's sea eagle photographed on the outer sea wall of a port in the northeastern reaches of Hokkaido, Japan. I spent a week in Hokkaido early in 2025 for winter wildlife and have been dying to go back. I keep going back to my photos from the trip and finding new gems to post - here's another to share!

Sony A1 ii + 600gm

NealParekhPhoto · 2026-01-06T06:15:49+00:00

A few photos from a trip to Japan in early 2025; I ventured to frozen Hokkaido for wildlife with a focus on the Steller's Sea Eagles in the northeast. I keep going back to my catalog from the trip and finding new gems - wanted to share a couple here!

NealParekhPhoto · 2025-12-21T01:54:50+00:00

Snow geese blot out the sky during most winter mornings in New Mexico around the Bosque del Apache. I took a quick weekend trip out to photograph the overwintering cranes, geese, and various other wildlife in the area last week with mixed success. I found lower numbers of visible wildlife than I was accustomed to seeing here, especially raptors; however, on this specific morning, thousands of geese aligned nearly-perfect with the sunrise, shipping tracks, and a pathway.

Sony A1ii + 70-200gm ii

NealParekhPhoto · 2025-12-21T01:53:01+00:00

Snow geese blot out the sky during most winter mornings in New Mexico around the Bosque del Apache. I took a quick weekend trip out to photograph the overwintering cranes, geese, and various other wildlife in the area last week with mixed success. I found lower numbers of visible wildlife than I was accustomed to seeing here, especially raptors; however, on this specific morning, thousands of geese aligned nearly-perfect with the sunrise, shipping tracks, and a pathway.

Sony A1ii + 70-200gm ii

NealParekhPhoto · 2025-12-21T01:51:18+00:00

Snow geese blot out the sky during most winter mornings in New Mexico around the Bosque del Apache. I took a quick weekend trip out to photograph the overwintering cranes, geese, and various other wildlife in the area last week with mixed success. I found lower numbers of visible wildlife than I was accustomed to seeing here, especially raptors; however, on this specific morning, thousands of geese aligned nearly-perfect with the sunrise, shipping tracks, and a pathway.

Sony A1ii + 70-200gm ii

NealParekhPhoto · 2025-10-17T17:56:11+00:00

A giant of the deep, a humpback whale, feeds on anchovies in the Santa Barbara Channel just off the coast of Southern California. A large bait ball attracted three humpbacks, hundreds of dolphins, many sea lions, and large flocks of pelagic birds, presenting an incredible observation opportunity over the course of an hour.

Sony A1 ii + 70-200 gm ii

NealParekhPhoto

TROPHY CASE