Merrily Humming Along

This morning I finally managed to get in a little hummingbird photography. I have been way too busy lately. For some reason I don't have many hummers this summer. I think it might be that I got my extra feeders up too late. I have only noticed a few Anna's Hummingbirds hanging around when I usually have six or eight with some Rufous Hummingbirds thrown in for good measure.Today it was a bit of a wait and they were slow in coming to the feeder. I kept my ears tuned for the buzz of wings.Most of the time I just waited and waited and would spur into action when I heard wings. The one male Anna's came in several times and I wondered how he could even fly as he was moulting and didn't have too many flight feathers in his wings. I still had a great time and I am looking to doing some more. God bless, chris

Buzzing Cicada

I was driving with Jay in the car when there was this buzzing next to my shoulder that startled me. Jay questioned, "What the heck was that?" I slowed the car and looked onto the window sill of the car to see a Cicada trying to escape. I plucked it up with my fingers and made a feeble attempt to toss it out the half rolled up window and missed. I couldn't see where it landed and besides I was driving a car and needed to pay attention to the road right? We continued our drive and about five minutes later I noticed that it was on my upper arm. I had Jay put it into a plastic cup and I photographed it later and the set it free in the woods. They are such an amazing creature. Living underground on roots. Some of them for years and then popping up out of the ground to breed and then die. Very cool. View the image large to see all of the detail in the Cicada. God's light and love to all, chris

Birds in Joe's Backyard

My friend Joe Benoit is an excellent photographer.Our tripods have been planted side by side photographing many subjects over the years. The past few mornings I have been using my photoblind in his backyard to photograph birds.Thanks Joe. I was trying to capture some images of some Eurasion Collared Doves. I got a few images of them but they weren't that great.I'll try again sometime soon. I did get some excellent California Valley Quail,Spotted Towhee,Golden Crowned Sparrow and Western Scrub Jay. I really like the quail images.You can capture some awesome bird images in the backyard with a little bit of effort! Gods love and blessings to all, chris