In a world of so many great photographers and writers, I am venturing into some unknown territories, leaving comfort zones, finally very willing to practice the art of seeing. By maintaining the practice of posting daily photos, I hope to continue learning about the possibilities that I trust are out there for the taking.
Dinner time.
This bird was on the shoulder of a woman driving in her golf cart. She let me practice using my 400mm lens.
Minutes before the sun went down behind the mountains, I moved close enough and was ready for this shot.
Flying by during a 4 minute break in the rain. Canon EOS 5D Mark II, Canon 400mm f/5.6L USM, 1/500 sec, f/5.6mm, ISO 650.
Male American Wigeon.
Ray doesn't like how the reflected white water detracts from the duck. I think he's learning more than I am!
Peterson’s Field Guide – Western Birds says the American Wigeon when swimming rides high and picks at the water like a coot. It’s nicknamed “Baldpate” because of its shining white crown.
I’d packed up a new camera gear suitcase for my visit to Richmond, VA with my family. Each year one of us sisters hosts Thanksgiving for the four of us Sher kids and our families. Because my camera gear was packed up, my camera wasn’t handy, I used that as an excuse to not shoot photos the last couple of days.
This afternoon I stole minutes over about an hour to shoot across the lake, in between the many golfers now out playing on the newly opened Palmer Course. before having to retreat from the lake edge, to behind a tree, to avoid being in front of the golfers teeing off on the 18th tee-box.
I got lucky when this Great Blue Heron decided to open its wings. Unfortunately I had a circular polarizer on my 70-200mm lens, causing me to have to bump the ISO up to 1000. Most of the photos I shot were at 250th sec, between f/4 – f5.6/ leaving me very little depth of field (very little range of subject focus). I learned that I either have to shoot with more light/no filter in order to set my aperature smaller (to get more depth of field) so the other surrounding birds are also in focus.
I just started remembering to set my camera to multiple shots as opposed to where I usually have my camera set, on one shot. I wouldn’t have been able to capture the back to back movement of the bird’s wings if I had the setting on one shot.
I heard this Osprey before I saw him. Can't believe we have Osprey right outside our door.
Photographing patterns in the lake while waiting for the birds to arrive for their late afternoon feeding.
I got too close to the Osprey and he flew away.
This Great Egret walked the lakeshore feeding and not noticing how close he was coming to me.
This guy didn't come up empty handed very often.
Success, again.
Last shot before I headed back home.
Two Snowy Egrets. You can’t see the small yellow loral spot before the eye of the Egrets, but I did when I enlarged the photo. I just read the spot is red when the bird is breeding.
A quick trip at 4:30pm, 100 yards outside our backdoor, hoping to find a blog photo.
A cropped and enlarged shot of the Snowy Egrets.
The baby is back, squawking to be mouth fed.
Checking it out.
Bye bye.
Shot this before I took the camera off auto focus.
Lots of activity with the last feeding before the birds retire for the night.
Kinda liked this photo but not enough to leave it without using a Lightroom preset filter called Rocky Mountain High.
I’m enjoying the day, still in my pj’s. I knew today would be a day where I would stay inside and tidy up lose ends. I must be PMS. But being PMS when I don’t have to go out or be with people isn’t so bad. I don’t feel like I got alot accomplished today. Usually how I feel about myself is determined by how much I accomplish. Ray must feel very accomplished today as he went into town and did all our 8 day’s worth of laundry!
I believe tonight’s moon will be full. Last night I noticed the moon setting behind the mountains around 12:30am. I don’t know whether I’ll be able to stay up to photograph the moon. TBD.
I looked out around 6:30pm and noticed the wind had stopped and there was still about 10 minutes of light before the sun went behind the Crest.
I took about 170 in 10 minutes (the camera was set to multiple shots) hoping I'd catch a bird doing something other than just looking pretty.
I wonder if other photographers have to crop or do they get it right in camera.
Near the end of Ray and my walk around Lake Maime tonight, I stayed behind by water’s edge capturing a variety of tree reflections. Here is one of the abstracts. To see more, click here.
One of about 15 abstracts shot today at Lake Maime.
I finally got some photos of the noisy baby birds today. Here is one. More tomorrow.
I've got the birds trained and they have me trained. Birds: They get me running for my camera with their loud squawking. Me: I open the noisy porch screen and the birds arrive within seconds.
Too tired to blog last night upon my return from LA. Here are the photos I intended to share on yesterday’s blog.
Couldn't believe this driver risked talking on his cell phone, hand holding it, driving in a car this color.
Borders is where you'll find us on Thursdays when in LA.
Heather in the Mexican food restaurant, El Rancho, where I'll be on Thursday nights when in LA.
Went out tonight around 6pm with an extender on the 70 – 200mm lens.
The ducks don't let me get close.
There were no birds to be found on the lake when I reached the large tree I was going to sit under (hide under) while waiting for bird shots, but this little guy at the top of the tree got my attention with his song voice.
Across the lake from our home, out for an evening blog shoot.
As I'd hoped while crouched waiting on the other side of the lake, a bird appeared.
I'm not spotted yet as the bird gets closer.
And then he was off.
Five feet from home this bird stayed long enough for this shot.
I was ready for the bird's flight, but wasn't quick enough for an infocus shot.
Stacy modeling on our morning Eagle Canyon hike.
Mr. Dove modeling for me.
And San Gorgonio beyond the valley floor.
A welcome visitor. Who isn’t welcome? All the ducks we chase away that gobble up all the bird seed and leave poop all over our patio.
The colorful Western Tanager is back again.