Kickin' Up Their Heels!

A sure sign of spring is the colt that was born last week on the ranch in the pasture below my photoblind. It's amazing how fast colts are up and around. God's love and blessings to all, chris

Yearning to Break the Bonds of Earth

Earlier this week I went down to the Ukiah airport to photograph the B-17 Bomber that was on tour. While it garnered most of my attention I was also drawn to a nondescript, weather beaten old aircraft that was parked not far away on the tarmac. You could truly see it had been a beauty in its day. It looked as though it once again wanted to break the bonds of earth and fly again. Maybe with a lot of work and care it will again. God bless, chris I'm not sure what model of aircaft this is. Any aviation experts out there feel free to chime in. Thanks

B17 Flying Fortress

Yesterday was a banner day for photography between birds and bombers. I left the house well before six so I could go down to the airport in Ukiah to photograph EAA's restored B17 World War Two Bomber "Aluminum Overcast". The B17 was the first mass produced four engine heavy bomber used during WWII. It got the name from a Seattle newspaper reporter who when seeing all its machine guns deemed it a "Flying Fortress". The aircraft is currently on tour of the US with an all volunteer crew and support staff. The aircraft is only one of fourteen left flying in the world today from the thousands built during the war.Over a third were lost after being shot down during the war. Another third were lost due to accidents and crashes. After the war most of the rest were scrapped. Aluminum Overcast never saw combat as it was manufactured close to the end of the war and was never put into a combat role. After seeing the aircraft it was hard to imagine the feelings of all of the young flight crews that flew these aircraft into combat. Holding your position among other aircraft while under fire from flak and fighters must have been a terrifying experience.Even though it was well armed each .50 machine gun on the aircraft only carried roughly a minutes worth of ammunition.The ammunition was stored on a belt next to the gun that was roughly nine yards long. That's where the saying giving them the whole nine yards comes from. What an incredible piece of history and a living monument to those brave men and women of the "Greatest Generation" that served during world War Two and many wars and conflicts after. A Special thank you to them and to the EAA for bringing it to Ukiah,CA. God bless, chris

When Everything Falls Into Place

Some days just seem to work out perfectly. Today was one of those days with my bird photography. The weather and lighting were superb. It was sunny with an overcast layer of clouds. Just perfect for bird photography.I was able to photograph from just a little past eight in the morning until just past eleven thirty before it got too bright to photograph anymore.The birds were cooperative too with California Valley Quail,Goldfinches,House Finches,Wrens,California Towhee and Acorn Woodpeckers all making showings at my photoblind. Badger and I had a wonderful morning in the blind.Thank you Lord for such a beautiful day capturing just a glimpse of the beauty you have provided for us. God's love and blessings to all, chris

Backyard Birds

This morning I spent some time in the backyard photoblind photographing some of my backyard locals. The Steller's Jays came almost immediately. They never pass up a free meal! Especially since there were free mealworms. The Bandtailed Pigeons were extremely skittish as usual. I could hear them up in the tree tops for well over an hour before they finally came down to the feeder. Once they did they were pushing and shoving for a place at the feeder. By then the lighting was getting pretty harsh and I called it a day. I enjoyed myself and I know the birds did. God's love and blessings your way, chris

Creatures Great and Small

This morning I had very little time for photography as I took my Mom to the big city of Ukiah,CA for a medical appointment. Like all plans of mice and men the one I had didn't work out.My plan was that I would photograph Western Bluebirds at the fish hatchery while she had her doctors appointment. The problem was when I got to the fish hatchery it was closed. Arrgh! On my drive out I spotted a Blackktailed Jackrabbit trying to hide next to an Oak tree. I stopped my car and photographed it until a car came up behind me and I was forced to move along. It was so cool how it's long ears were backlit by the sun! After I picked up my Mom and had lunch it was late afternoon by the time I arrived home. I sought out a moth to photograph and I found a Tiger Moth.They are just beautiful with their striking wing patterns.Such a beautiful day. God's light and love to all, chris

Cleaning Up After Breakfast

This morning I was up and around pretty early. I was cleaning out kitchen drawers that were full of just too much junk. Among the mess I found a few treasured finds. A few old Chinese coins,a silver book mark,an antique barrette and a worthless pocket knife with a broken handle. Hmmmnn... Why am I saving all this stuff? “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. Matthew 6:19-21 wow, that's something to think about. Taking a break from cleaning I stepped out into the backyard and I spotted this hoverfly sitting on the African Daisies. I ran back into the house and grabbed my camera and made a few images of it busily cleaning away breakfast leftovers from its legs. A very productive morning if I may say so! God's precious love and blessings to all, chris