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.
I still haven’t had time to go through all the photos I took while on the backpack with Tailwinds two weeks ago. But here are 3 photos from the last morning of our hike. I’m posting some of my last day photos first because seeing a wolf for the first time was the highlight of our 93 mile, 5.5 day backpack from Pie Town to Snow Lake.
Our last day of hiking was a 9 mile section north of Snow Lake. This is where we heard early morning wolf cries, noticed wolf tracks on this two track jeep CDT trail/road, and early after beginning our morning hike, actually saw our very first ever wolf sighting.
This is what the two track CDT trail/road we were backpacking on looked like. For miles and miles in all directions, all we saw were grasslands. We first spotted our wolf on the right side of the road, loping toward and then across the road, heading east/left, from about as far away as the pictured tree. He repeatedly loped on a bit, stopped and stared at us for about 30 seconds and then loped off again. He disappeared out of sight as he loped into a ravine about a 1000 yards or more away. As the wolf entered the ravine, an elk hurriedly ran out of the opposite side of the ravine, obviously not interested in keeping company with the wolf.
The wolf gifted us with more entertain as he ran back out of the ravine, in our direction, but safely well ahead of us. Loping and staring just as before.
All in all we had about 30 minutes of prime time wolf viewing before he left our sight. The wolf was not only far enough away for his and our comfort level, but he was far enough away that capturing and in-focus, unblurred photo was impossible with the small Canon, Powershot A640 I was using.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TjLCJKoot4U
How the hell did someone capture this fantastic happening?
Thanks to Carol D for sending me this link.
Ray is in LA until tomorrow. He stayed over Thursday and tonight for two speaking engagements. Not having my normal routine….like making dinner…which I have no interest in doing when Ray isn’t here…left me wandering outside around 6pm. I’ve wanted to see how close I could get to the Geese family. I got close. They obviously were already quite habituated to people.
I shot the photos below with my Canon 40D and 70 – 300mm lens on a tripod. I used live view and zoomed to 5X trying to get the geese in focus. Boy, you have to work fast with moving subjects. You also have to know your camera well to move fast. I see I need to go out more often with this particular lens and with my larger camera in general. Not many of the photos I took were in focus. I’m thinking I should never zoom all the way to 300mm if I want an in focus shot.
I was shooting just outside our condo which means I was on the 15th fairway. Thank goodness only one foursome of golfers played this hole during the half hour I was out with the geese. I hid behind a narrow tree as the golfers took their 3rd shots to the green. One of the golfers noticed me hiding behind the tiny tree in line with his shot and was polite enough to not curse me out for his duffed approach shot.
The night was balmy, just the perfect Palm Springs weather. I understand we’ll be in to 3 digit temperatures by the weekend.
Carol Leigh posted a live view link to viewing an Eagle Family in British Columbia and I’ve embedded the link off to the right and down the sidebar of this blog so I can monitor the daily goings on. Very cool AND I get to see the birds without the mess in my courtyard.
Click on the screen located in the sidebar of this blog for previous happenings in the day. Wait a second to connect to the live view. Turn your sound down this family is LOUD.
Don’t forget to check out the other Seekpoints on the Live View link, especially the one where dad brings gull.
Walked to the 6:50am Xizer class at the gym this morning. The 15 minute walk warms me up for this upper and lower body class. Then, what I really like about walking over to the class (rather than driving) is I walk home and play with the Canon PowerShot A650 IS handheld camera that goes with me everywhere. It was a beautiful morning and I felt 100%.
Mt San Gorgonio beyond the MHCC Clubhouse.
Lingered out on the 15th fairway outside our place hoping to see Mr and Mrs Geese and their 6 new babies when I spotted this 100 yard marker reminding me I can have a 100% day anytime I want.
I’ve been hoping for, and not so patiently waiting, the major camera companies to put a rotating LCD on their “real” cameras. The rotating LCD allows me to take photos without having to bend over and risk my back going out. Everyday I visit http://www.dpreview.com/ hoping to find a new model “real” camera with a rotating LCD. While on Scott Kelby’s site which I also daily visit, I found this on his April 14th blog entry: Nikon Announces New D-5000 DSLR with HD Video, Swivel Screen, and More!
LR, better put some more money in my account. tee hee! (The camera is supposed to be available at the end of April – too late for the upcoming New Mexico hike.)
I haven’t a clue what type of birds we have building their nest in our front courtyard but I’m thrilled to have some new photo subjects. (A while after I wrote this blog I looked online and found out what type of bird it is.)
I noticed birds flying around in our courtyard and then spotted the nest they are building 2 to 3 days ago. They’re fast home builders.
Their nest is so much larger than the hummingbird nest built last year. Ray asked me if I thought we should tear down this new nest because of the mess the birds will create. Without hesitation I said, “NO”.
I’ll deal with the mess I know they’ll make. This morning I set up my camera in front of the front door (with the front door open). Later, I realized a better shooting angle from just inside the garage.
Shot from inside the front door.
The next four photos are all shot from inside the garage door.
I used my Canon D40 with a 70-300mm lens at 300mm. Morning shooting will be better as the light is low in the front courtyard after noon. I usually shoot with Aperture Priority. The last four photos were shot at a larger aperture than I wanted to shoot at in order to get a shutter speed of 125 to stop the motion of the bird.
Fun.
I just found this on the internet!
Verdin
Auriparus flaviceps Order PASSERIFORMES – Family REMIZIDAE
Summary Detailed
A tiny, active songbird of the arid southwestern United States and northern Mexico, the Verdin is the only North American member of the penduline-tit family (Remizidae). Vocal and often conspicuous despite its size, it builds a large enclosed nest in thorny scrub.
Cool Facts
* The Verdin builds nests for both breeding and roosting; roosting nests are much smaller. The outer stick shell is constructed mostly by the male, while the female does most of the lining.
* The Verdin’s roosting nests help it stay warm in winter. Winter roosting nests have thicker insulation, and may reduce energy requirements for thermoregulation by as much as 50 percent.
* The Verdin builds roosting nests all year round. One pair of Verdins in Arizona was observed building 11 nests in one year.
* During the heat of the desert summer, the Verdin rests quietly in the shaded interior of a shrub, sometimes panting or spreading its wings. Nests built in summer open toward prevailing winds, perhaps to aid in cooling.
Description
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* Size: 9-11 cm (4-4 in)
* Weight: 5-8 g (0.18-0.28 ounces)
* Small songbird.
* Gray body.
* Yellow face.
* Short tail.
* Sharp bill.
* Dark lores.
* Dark red shoulder patches not often visible.
* Eyes black.
* Legs dark.
Sex Differences
Sexes similar; male with brighter yellow on face.
Immature
Plain gray, including face. Base of bill pinkish yellow.
Similar Species
* Lucy’s Warbler similar to juvenile Verdin, but bill is thinner and dark, without pinkish yellow base.
* Bushtit has smaller, blunter bill and longer tail.
* Gnatcatchers have longer tails with black-and-white markings.
Sound
Various calls, including loud chips issued in rapid succession. Song is a three-note whistle.
Habitat
Desert scrub, especially along washes where thorny vegetation is present.
Food
Insects and spiders.
Behavior
Foraging
Moves actively and nimbly among limbs of scrub vegetation, in a manner resembling that of chickadees. Often holds blossoms with feet while looking and picking at prey with bill.
Reproduction
Nest Type
Large sphere with a hole usually located near the bottom. Outer shell of sticks, lined with leaves and smaller twigs. Placed in shrub.
Egg Description
Light greenish, with irregular dark reddish spots, especially at larger end.
Clutch Size
Usually 4 eggs. Range: 3-6.
Condition at Hatching
Helpless and naked.
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Conservation Status
Declining across much of range. Land development in southern California has reduced Verdin habitat, and has resulted in the possible extirpation of the species from San Diego County, CA.
Other Names
Auripare verdin (French)
Baloncillo, Párido del desierto (Spanish)
Last year’s view out our front door.
This morning’s view out the same door.
L > R Taye and Linda
Taye and I had a blast at Balboa Lake last week. I’m sure everyone thought we were somewhat retarded in our childlike exuberance. We didn’t care.
Next photo session will be at the zoo, February 3rd before the Baby Meeting.
All are welcome.
I took myself out on a date today. I packed up all my camera equipment, tripod and camera. I used a 70 -300 mm lens and shot photos of the migratory birds at the Salton Sea. I’m doing the Artist’s Way by Julia Cameron and in Week 5 of the 12 week book I’m finally taking the time to go on the required weekly Artist date. I had a ball all by myself. It’s funny how I had to talk myself into doing this too. I wasn’t in the mood.
I’ve posted a couple photos (I took over 300).
I’ve also uploaded two videos from today.
I filmed a video when I first arrived at the Salton Sea and then a second video during the wonderful sunset about an hour and a half later. I know Lane, you don’t like sunsets, but this one was really something. All alone, I found myself saying outloud, “Oh my god. The sky can’t get any redder.”
I hope I remember this the next time I feel too lazy to take myself out on an Artist’s Date. I really never want to do anything, especially in the afternoon or night. But, invariably, when I do what I don’t think I want to do, I have a great time. So….I don’t need to be listening to my head anymore.
Check out the Salton Sea in the videos below.
All day yesterday, I wondered how San Jacinto would look when the clouds lifted after the big one day storm. I woke and ran outside with my tripod and camera at 6:45am. Snow was down to the 2000 foot level.
Might have to head on up in the snow next week for some close up snow photos.
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