Black and white photo. A tall tree with long branches growing at the very edge of a stop of water along the bottom of the frame. Smaller trees flank it, slightly behind, and a further line of trees is visible in the distance. Above, the dark sky is filled with wispy clouds.

Another BirdCast migration alert in my email, another excursion to see if I could find any migrating wetland birds.  The destination was Spencer Island and Union Slough.

While I did spot a large flock of waterfowl, they were on the other side of the chain-link fence separating the slough from the water treatment plant beside it.  I guess the combination of retaining pond and the relative protection provided by the fence were more attractive than the tidal estuary right next door.  Very unhelpful, though.  For me.  😛

Still, the day was gorgeous, the walk down the trail was pleasant, and I was well rewarded at the end.  That large, weathered tree, growing next to the channel, with it’s bare top pointing up to the wispy cloud-filled sky, demanded my attention.  The Sentinel of the Slough.

I liked the black & white version so much I immediately added it as an option in my print store.  🙂

Gear: Nikon Z 7II, Nikon Z 24-70mm f2.8 S

Black and white photo. A tall tree with long branches growing at the very edge of a stop of water along the bottom of the frame. Smaller trees flank it, slightly behind, and a further line of trees is visible in the distance. Above, the dark sky is filled with wispy clouds.
Color photo. A tall tree with long branches growing at the very edge of a stop of water along the bottom of the frame. Smaller trees flank it, slightly behind, and a further line of trees is visible in the distance. Above, the deep blue sky is filled with wispy clouds.
Color photo. A causeway between two ponds. It has a road on it, two graveled lines with a strip of grass between them. Sitting on the road, all along its length, is a large flock of various waterfowl.