Wednesday, August 24, 2011

Days in the Making





Some wildlife images are just pure serendipity. You are walking or driving along and you just happen to find some bird or animal. Usually though it's not pure serendipity as you were looking in places you would expect to find deer or wolves or what ever animal you were searching for. You did your homework and were searching in habitat and at a time where you could expect that form of wildlife to be there.

Many wildlife images however are the result of a bit more planning and hard work. They involve not only finding the proper habitat and time but involve setting up a photography blind. Then a lot of patience and hours sitting in the blind waiting. For the viewers of wildlife images it doesn't matter. What they see in both cases is the end result. They don't see what went into the creation of the image.

The simple vulture images shown in todays blog are of the latter type. I found a dead raccoon and set up my blind nearby. It took several days before the vultures started feeding on the carcass. This morning I went into the blind and waited. Finally after about forty five minutes one lone vulture came in and started feeding. The lighting was very low so I had to wait for times when the vuulture would look up and not be moving for a fraction of a second while I pressed the shutter release.

A special note about Turkey Vultures is that they find their food by both sight and smell.

God's precious light and love to all,

chris

Monday, August 22, 2011

Laundry Line


I took a few days off and went to my cousins house in San Mateo. It was for her Dad's birthday. She knows how to throw a party.
A few days back before leaving I was coming around the corner of the deck and I noticed how beautiful the laundry was hanging there drying in the warm mornings sun. I really liked the mood and feel of it. So here it is.

God's precious light and love to all,

chris

Wednesday, August 17, 2011

Backyard Bugs









Earlier this week I spent some time chasing insects around the backyard. The flowers are in bloom so there are plenty of insects to photograph.

God's love and precious blessings to all,

chris

Tuesday, August 16, 2011

Dr. Seuss Bug



Today Lenore and I were playing Frisbee out on the front driveway. When I bent down to pick up the Frisbee I found the coolest looking bug on a dandelion flower. Naturally I grabbed my camera and made some images of it. It was such a neat looking insect. It was fun to watch it eating the dandelion as I photographed it. Later on when I was eating my own lunch in the backyard with Jay and Lenore a tiny green bug the size of an aphid bit me. Then a few minutes later a hummingbird pooped on my head. I was having such a good day too.

God's love and blessings to all,

chris

Sunday, August 14, 2011

I Went to a Garden Party...




















Yesterday they had a garden party benefit for education in our local schools. Lenore and I went to show our support. Mostly we went to socialize and partake of the wonderful food, drink, music and art. There were drawings and auctions. It appeared that a good time was had by all.

God's love and blessings to all,

chris

Saturday, August 13, 2011

Photoshop Fun


I'm not a big Photoshop kind of guy but every once in awhile I get the bug and I like to get creative and have some fun. I found this old Yugoslavian bill when I was cleaning up in the office a few days ago and I thought what can I do with this? It sat around by my keyboard for a few days and then it hit me today. I'll replace the welders face with Annikas. I took Annika outside and photographed her face in a similar position and layered it in. She complained that it makes her look too manly. The wleder would probably say that it makes him too feminine. I'll let them argue it out. I think it looks pretty cool.

God's love and blessings to all,

chris

Friday, August 12, 2011

How Do You Measure Up?




Spent a short period of time working on some simple stock images today. One light set up with two different backgrounds.

God's blessings to everyone,

chris