[Leica] Doug and Joel's excellent adventure

[Doug Herr <71247.3542@compuserve.com>]

The offices at my day job were to be re-shuffled today so the entire
division was invited to not go to work today.

I called my brother Joel and together we went for a hike in the wilds near
Livermore, California.  It's not often I have a capable hiking partner who
also happens to be a birder, and he was more than willing to accomodate my
stops for photographic occasions.  The brown of California's summer hills
was giving way to the new green brought by the recent rains; the air was
clear and crisp, our legs were strong and willing.  I was happy.

My camera of choice was the (on-topic) Leicaflex SL and 400mm f/6.8 Telyt,
a lightweight and surprisingly capable combination.  This equipment has
been my favorite for 19 years, and for the last 18 years and 11 months it
has felt like an extension of my mind.

Our hike took us several miles where we found birds of numerous species: 
hawks, quail, towhees, warblers, kinglets and others.  I made several
photos of Cooper's Hawk, California Towhee and Spotted Towhee while Joel
searched the sky for Golden Eagle.  We'd both seen the eagles here before
and in certain areas there expected, but none were evident today.  We saw a
Bobcat (one crummy photo) and then a coyote on a distant hill.  As we
watched the coyote we noticed a 2nd song-dog, on the trail we intended to
hike.  The closer coyote walked toward us, then disappeared behind a rise
in the terrain.

We walked slowly up the trail, not wanting to startle the animal.  When we
first saw it clear of the hill it was much closer than we expected it to
tolerate.  The odd thing was that aside from an occasional glance in our
direction it was totally absorbed in pouncing on and eating numerous
morsels.  Mice are a favorite coyote food but it was unlikely that the
coyote was finding so many in such a short time.  We looked at the ground
and found what the coyote was eating: crickets!  Most crickets were pounced
and eaten with ease but one managed to stay a half-jump away from canine
jaws and the coyote was a hilarious spectacle making several quick pounces
in rapid succession.

Meanwhile I manuevered for light and a for clear view through the weeds,
and the coyote kept getting closer and closer.  The 400 Telyt was the
perfect lens: maneuverable, responsive and light enough that I wasn't
exhausted from carrying it on the long hike.  At its closest the coyote
filled the SL's viewfinder; any closer and I'd have switched to the 280.

The coyote never tired of us.  It was the clock that ended the photo
session, as my transmogrification to Mr. Mom was about to begin.

All in all an excellent hike.  I used up a bunch of K64 and Joel swears
that next time he'll bring his camera.

Doug Herr
Sacramento