Simple Images

These Steller's Jay images were created using a simple set up in my front yard yesterday in Mendocino County, Northern California. The set up consisted of a moss and lichen covered oak branch clamped above a platform feeder. The background used was a 4 foot square of Masonite hardboard painted green supported by a background stand. The photography was little slow because it was late afternoon and the wind was blowing. Birds really hate that because it's harder to spot predators with all the branches moving. They were photographed with a Canon 7D MkII camera and a Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS USM Lens set to 275mm. The camera settings used were AV mode, ISO 800, F 5.6 at 1/80th of a sec. I was using a tripod.#TeamCanon God's love and blessings to everyone, chris

P.O.A.G.S.

This morning I set up and filled a platform feeder about ten feet away from the photoblind out in the front yard. Next I clamped a lichen covered oak branch above the feeder. I climbed into the blind for a long wait. While waiting I could hear the sound of the squirrels chattering in protest in the trees above me. Four Band-tailed pigeons flew down and landed on top of the blind. While they were walking around on the roof heard the clatter of claws on the redwood tree behind the feeder. A Western Gray Squirrel soon appeared next to the feeder. She climbed up the feeder post and made a short leap onto the oak branch. I created a lot of images of her but this one was my favorite a portrait of a Gray Squirrel(P.O.A.G.S.) This image was created with a Canon 7D MkII camera and a Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS USM Lens at 400mm. The camera settings used were AV mode, ISO 800, F 5.6 at 1/80th of a sec. #TeamCanon

"Cash" Coin

I'm forever working on cleaning things up as I'm not the neatest person in the world. My two most difficult spaces are my office and the garage. In cleaning up the office yesterday I ran across a "cash" coin from China. Cash coins were made in China from 350 BC all the way up until 1912 A.D.. Most likely the coin was from my Grandfather as he traveled as a Merchant Marine to Asia when he was seventeen. In present day these coins are considered to be "good luck coins" and the are often worn as jewelry. The coin is in pretty poor shape and not worth very much. Still it's pretty cool to think of all the places it has been and what it may have been used for.God's love and blessings upon your day, chris This image was created with a Canon 7D camera and a 100mm macro lens. The camera settings used were AV mode, ISO 400, F13.0 at 1/25th of a sec. Lighting was provided by a desk lamp.#TeamCanon

Repeat Offender

Oh no another snake! I spotted this Garter Snake hunting goldfish in our garden pond this afternoon. I grabbed my Canon 7D MkII, a 12mm extension tube for close focusing and my Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS USM Lens. I then crawled on my belly to the edge of the pond and focused on the snakes eye. The snake stayed in place until I stood up and then it slithered into the pond. The camera settings used were AV mode,ISO 400, 1/800th of a sec at F 8.0. The camera was handheld with the lens foot on the ground. Photographed in Mendocino County, Northern California. #TeamCanon God's love and blessings to all, chris