With Pure Abandon

I love to watch birds take a bath when they think no one is watching. They really let go for a little while with pure abandon. Then they suddenly stop and pop back to reality to check and see that they are safe. I think about my own walk in life. It's very similar. There are times when I let go with that same release. Then I have to mess it up and start thinking. When I do that then I'm back to the reality of my own world again. My moments, minutes, hours and days are so much better when I turn them over to God. Live a life of pure abandon. God's light and love to all, chris All images created with a Canon 7D and a Tamron 150-600mm lens. Camera was supported on a window ledge with a ground pod and a Bogen 3055 heavy duty ballhead. Camera settings used, AV mode, ISO 1600, F 8.0 shutter speeds varied.

Lemons Into Lemonade

Today didn't start very well. Early this morning I went out to the ranch in the Little Lake Valley Valley to do some bird photography at the water feature I had built. Sometime during the night a deer or several of them decided they wanted some water just like the birds. Now deer aren't nearly as light as birds so in the process of trying to get a drink they broke one of the saw horses and the whole thing came crashing down. I arrived to find a mess. It took me about an hour to rebuild it. I didn't have enough water with me to refill it so it ended up being a little low. This was problem was compounded by the fact that it was now leaking water. The birds didn't seem to notice. They were just happy to have a place to come and eat and have a drink. There were Jays, Sparrows and Goldfinches coming in close to non stop to get drinks and bathe. At one point there were three birds bathing at the same time. It ended up being a fantastic day for photography. Now I just need to find some time to go out and rebuild it so it won't leak. All images created with a Canon EOS 7D and a Canon 100-400 IS lens. Camera settings used- AV mode,ISO 800,F5.6,shutter speed varied. A Manfotto 055XB tripod and a Bogen 3055 ballhead was used to support the camera. If you are interested in learning how to build a water feature to create images like these please check out my new book Secrets of Backyard Bird Photography which includes the plans to build both large and small water features to photograph birds. http://www.amazon.com/Secrets-Backyard-Photography-Chris-Hansen/dp/1937538559 God's precious light and love to all, chris

Time for a Cool One

This morning the birds came out in force to the water feature I built out in the Little Lake Valley a few days ago. I even got my blind bounced by a Steller's Jay. Right after I climbed into the blind and closed the zipper I heard a Steller's call and then bam it bounced into the top of the blind and flew off screeching. They are quite an intelligent bird! Several times over the years I have had them slam into the blind when I'm in it. Sometimes they will do it right next to the camera port. That will wake you up in a hurry! Today there were House Finches, Golden Crowned Sparrows, Dark Eyed Juncos, both Scrub and Steller's Jays and one American Goldfinch that didn't stay around for very long.God's tender love and blessings to all,chris All images created with a Canon 7D and a Canon 100-400 IS lens. Camera settings used- AV mode,ISO 800,F5.6,shutter speed varied. A Manfotto 055XB tripod and a Bogen 3055 ballhead was used to support the camera. If you are interested in how to build a water feature please check out my new book new book Secrets of Backyard Bird Photography which includes the plans to build both large and small water features to photograph birds. http://www.amazon.com/Secrets-Backyard-Photography-Chris-Hansen/dp/1937538559

Splish, Splash!

Yesterday during the long wait for something interesting to come along I photographed some Dark Eyed Juncos that were coming to take a bath in the pond. My favorite image is the last one of the set. It is looking back over its shoulder towards me trying to figure out what that clicking noise is. I just love the rich colors. God's light and love to all, chris