Band-tails are Back

Since the end of last week there have been some small flocks of Band-tailed Pigeons coming into the backyard bird bird feeders. This is a good sign because as of last winter a serious disease, T avian trichomonosis or, more specifically, Trichomonas gallinae was killing many of them. It is believed that non-native rock pigeons, the common pigeon you see in cities, were spreading the disease. Scientists believe the parasite evolved with the rock pigeons in Europe, and they are immune to the disease but can still carry it. The parasite was first found in Band-tailed Pigeons in the 1940s, but it has become more prevalent in the last 10 years. It thrives in the mouth and throat of the diseased birds, causing sores in the mouth or esophagus that eventually block the passage of food. The infected birds eventually die from starvation or suffocation. I have noticed a serious decline in the numbers of Band-tails in our area. Fifteen years ago it was very common for us to see flocks of thirty or more landing in the trees around our yard. Now the biggest flocks I ever see are usually less than a dozen. Here is an image of one from yesterday morning in our backyard. Canon 7D with a Canon 100-400 IS lens. Camera settings used were AV mode, ISO 800, f 8.0 at 1/250th of a sec. God bless, chris

Pinks, Purples and Pastels

Lenore's Lilac is starting to bloom in the backyard. Yesterday afternoon and this morning I put it to use for some bird photography. It's a beautiful bush with a range of colors in the blossoms from pink to purple. I wanted to capture an image of a Chestnut Backed Chickadee but they were uncooperative so I settled for the Steller's Jays, Dark Eyed Juncos and a Red Breasted Nuthatch instead. There were very few clouds in the sky this morning so my time for photography was very limited before it got too bright. I hope that you had a blessed Easter, chris All images created with a Canon 7D and a Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS USM. The camera was on our bedroom window sill supported with a ground pod and a Bogen 3055 heavy duty ballhead. Camera settings used were AV mode, ISO 800, F 8.0 . Shutter speeds varied.

Life at a Snail's Pace

This morning when I went to get something from my pick up I found a native Shoulderband Snail crossing the driveway. It was probably on its way to find a mate somewhere in the forest. Not wanting it to get the same fate as the poor smushed Banana Slug from yesterday I picked it up. I placed it on some moss and photographed it before letting it go out in the forest. I love the beautiful intricate spiral of its shell. God's creations are marvelous. May you have a great weekend, chris Image created with a Canon 7D and a 100mm macro lens. ISO 800, AV mode, F 16.0 at .5 sec. Camera was supported with a tripod.

Floral Dreams

I guess I can't wait for the flowers of spring and summer. Yesterday morning I set up some beautiful yellow flowers next to the bird feeder. At first all I got were the Steller's Jays but my persistence paid off and a little later I was able to photograph some Dark Eyed Juncos and some Chestnut Backed Chickadees. The results are gorgeous and I hope that you agree. God's love and blessings to all, chris All images were created with a Canon 7D and a Canon 100-400IS lens. AV mode, ISO 800, F 8.0. Shutter speeds varied. The camera was supported by a Bogen ballhead on a ground pod on our bedroom window sill.

I'm Ready for My Portrait!

This morning I was set up with yellow flowers for photographing small birds. As luck would have it the Steller's Jays came to visit the bird feeders first. Because they are so much larger than the small birds I was set up for couldn't fit them in to the frame of the image. I made the best of the situation. I tightened up nice and close for some portraits. This one was my favorite from the six I made. I love the contrast between the blue and yellow. As noisy and pushy Steller's can be they are a beautiful bird. God's precious love to all, chris Image created with a Canon 7D and a Canon 100-400 IS lens at 400mm. Camera setting used were AVmode, ISO 800, F 8.0 at 1/125th of a sec.

One More for the On the Fence Series

It's been pouring rain off and on all morning. There has been one Western Gay Squirrel doing acrobatics off of the bird feeder support pole to get at the black sunflower seeds. It swings upside down and then it reaches out to pull the feeder to its mouth. About half the time it gets a few seeds, the other half it loses its balance and drops sliding down the pole. I captured an image of it resting on the fence between tries. I hope you are having a great weekend. God bless, chris Image created with a handheld Canon 7D and a Canon 100-400 IS lens. AV mode, ISO 800, F5.6 at 1/800th of a sec. #TeamCanon

On the Water

I absolutely love photographing from my kayak. On Wednesday I ventured over to Clearlake and met up with Joe Benoit who was going fishing for bass. We launched out of a marina on the south east side of the lake in Buckingham. Early on it was to windy to be on the main lake and do any effective photography. There were also a lot of bass boats out kicking up wakes which doesn't make for very good photography. I sought out a little slough just outside the marina and hit the jackpot. Here was a calm spot that held some birds, turtles and even a River Otter. At one point the otter grabbed a big fish and came out in the open with it for about five seconds. I wasn't in a position to photograph it but it was a wonderful sight to see. The otter dragged the fish up into some heavy brush where I could catch glimpses of its mouth chomping on the fish with little crunching and slurping sounds coming out from where it was hidden. It must have been delicious! I have never observed so many warblers in one place before. They were all over picking insects out of the trees. I also got to see and photograph a Green Heron playing with a bit of Tule. It would drop it over and over in the water and grab it time and again. Honing its fishing skills. There were plenty of Cormorants close to the harbor entrance and it was a good idea not to paddle under the trees with what was coming down. Smelly stuff! It was simply a gorgeous day to be on the water. May you have a blessed weekend, chris All images created with a Canon 7D and a Tamron 150-600mm lens.AV mode, ISO 400, exposures varied. The camera was supported with a custom camera bracket and a Bogen 3055 heavy duty ballhead. The kayak used was a Native Watercraft Ulimate 14.5, #TeamCanon

Early Morning Squirrel

I was surprised to see the squirrels were up and about even before the sun arose this morning. I grabbed my camera, gloves and a warm hat and quietly made my way out to the photoblind in the back yard. Immediately I discovered a big problem. All of the blind zippers were frozen shut. I ended up making quite a racket trying to get them working again. Naturally the squirrels left in a hurry. I settled into the blind for a bit of a wait. When one of squirrels returned the lighting was just perfect and I was able to create some really nice images of it. Here are my three favorites. Merry Christmas, chris Douglas tree Squirrels photographed with a canon 7D and a Tamron 150-600 mm lens. AV mode, ISO 800 Exposures varied.

Anna's On Display

Taking the day off to work on projects around the house. Here is an image from last week of an Anna's Hummingbird displaying it's gorget to try and get the other hummingbirds from using the feeder down below it. God's blessings upon your day, chris Image created with a canon 7D and a tamron 150-600mm lens. #TeamCanon

Those Thirsty Squirrels

The first order of business after getting out of the photoblind this morning was to get a drink of water and cool off. By nine-thirty this morning the inside of my photoblind was like a sauna. Warm weather has arrived and I'm going to have to start taking water with me into the blind. The critters were thirsty this morning too as was evidenced by the number of squirrels that stopped by for a drink this morning. Here are a few of my favorites. How the heck do squirrels drink upside down anyway? May you have a great weekend. God's love and blessings to all, chris All images created with a Canon 7D and a Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS USM Lens supported by a Manfrotto 190 XPROB tripod with a Bogen 3055 ballhead. Camera settings used AV mode,ISO 800, F 5.6 shutter speeds varied. #TeamCanon, #Bringit,

One of the Clean Up Crew

This afternoon I went out to my photoblind in the Little Lake valley to restock the bird feeders and put in a little bit of bird photography. I haven't been out there in close to two weeks! On the drive out there I was really surprised to see a whole "kettle" of Turkey Vultures all lined up down a fence line going out into the valley. There were a bakers dozen of them just sitting there. I squeezed slowly onto the almost non existent shoulder. I checked my mirrors for approaching traffic and made a couple of images of the closest one hand held out the passenger window. Such a nice image of one of natures clean up crew. Turkey Vultures are natures way of disposing of all of the dead animals. They are a much needed species. God's light and love to all, chris Image created with a Canon 7D and a Tamron 150-600 lens at 428mm handheld. AV Mode,ISO 800,F6.3 at 1/200th of a sec.

Portrait of a Gull

I love the light of a foggy day. This afternoon I was at Clam Beach in Humboldt County. There was a Western Gull perched on s kiosk roof next to the parking lot. I walked close enough to get a portrait of it in the soft foggy light. I love how it came out. God's blessings, chris

Chipmunk

Anyone that has followed my photoblog for awhile knows that I'm a big softy for small mammals. I love otters, squirrels and Pikas. Most anything small and furry I want to photograph it! On trips I'm always checking out the squirrels and practically ignoring the moose or elk. Yesterday morning I went out to my photoblind in the rain and had a great time photographing the chipmunks that were coming to the bird feeders. It's amazing how much bird seed they can cram into those tiny cheeks of theirs! Such cute little guys. God's light and love to all, chris

Icon of the West

One of the fun things about photographing at Rocky Mountain Arsenal National Wildlife Refuge is the chance to photograph the Bison. There is a small herd of these iconic animals roaming in the shadow of the city of Denver, Colorado. Many times they come close enough to the road to be photographed. While I was there a few weeks back they came onto the road to lick the pavement for salt and minerals. So, yes they were very close.What a magnificent animal to photograph. Enjoy and God bless, chris