Simplicity

Today was spent cleaning up the front and back yards in preparation for the coming rain. As of late there have been a lot of fir needles falling and they were starting to cover the patio and the front driveway. Once they get wet they are really hard to remove. After all of the clean up I was ready to do some bird photography in the backyard photoblind. Once I got settled in the blind the birds were practically attacking the bird feeders. They were getting ready for the rain as well. Photography was a little tough because it was pretty cloudy leading to some really slow shutter speeds. This evening when I sat down to edit my images I really loved this simple image of a Chestnut Backed Chickadee. Enjoy and God bless, chris Equipment Used- Canon 50D, Canon 100-400 L IS at 400mm, Manfrotto 055XPROB Tripod and a 3055 Ballhead. Camera settings- AV Mode, ISO 400,F 5.6,shutter speed of 1/80th of a sec.

Tonight's Sunset

This afternoon I was looking forward to a wonderful sunset with all of the clouds passing overhead. Late this evening just before sunset I went outside to check it out. The clouds were building up and would make a marvelous image over Three Chop Ridge looking out towards the Mendocino Coastline. I went back in and grabbed my camera and tripod and began photographing it. About ten minutes after the sun went down the clouds turned a beautiful red. Combining that with all of the layered ridges just made it all the more beautiful. I'm glad that I checked it out. God's blessings to all, chris Equipment Used- Canon 50D, Canon 28-135 IS at 117 mm, Manfrotto 055XPROB Tripod and a 3055 Ballhead. Camera settings- AV Mode, ISO 400,F16.0,shutter speed of 1/10th of a sec.

Bill

Sometimes going through on my second edit I'll find something I'll like because it's probably not what I was looking for during the first edit. In this case on the first edit I was looking for good sharp nuthatches on the side of a tree. So on the second edit this Steller's Jay bill jumped out and caught me by surprise. It's whimsical, intriguing and possibly even a little humorous. I really like it. May God bless the rest of your weekend, chris

Equipment used- Canon 50D and a Canon 100-400 L IS lens set to 300mm Camera Setting - AV Mode, ISO 400, F 5.6, 1/125th of a sec.

Bright and Sunny

With the time change I need to get out a little bit earlier to catch that soft early morning light. This morning I arose to bright sunshine and clear blue skies. Not the best thing you usually want to see for most kinds of photography. My goal this morning was to photograph a Nuthatch on the side of a tree. Yesterday afternoon I set up a bird feeder just for that and I was really hoping they would start using it. With a late start and me adjusting and restocking the feeder it took some time before the birds came back and started using it. I purposely left open a slot in the side port of the photoblind so I could watch the pond while I waited. While waiting my luck was with me as I got to watch a Ruby Crowned Kinglet come in and take a short bath in the garden pond. Alas, no pictures. They are on my short list of things to photograph as they are extremely secretive and very difficult for me to photograph. With patience eventually I will get a beautiful photograph of one. After the kinglet left the Red Breasted Nuthatches began making regular trips to the feeder. One thing I love about them is that they always start calling as they are coming to the feeder giving you plenty of time to get ready. I only had one interruption from then on when a Junco came inside the blind at my feet looking for seed. When it glanced up and saw me it made a hurried exit. I had a wonderful time in the blind this morning. I'm off to work on my bird photography book. God's blessings, chris Equipment used- Canon 50D and a Canon 100-400 L IS lens at 300 mm Camera setting- AV mode,ISO 400,F5.6 at 1/400th of a sec.

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

The Long Wait

This morning I thought I would sit in the photoblind by the pond and photograph a few birds. I was hoping to photograph something different. Not one of the usual caste of characters that come to my backyard. I watched Steller's Jays, Dark Eyed Juncos and Chestnut Backed Chickadees come and go. I photographed a few that were in good light or nice positions. I waited and waited when until I caught a a flash of orange. On the periphery I watched a Varied Thrush sitting beside a rose bush deciding if it was safe to come for a drink. It stayed there for a few seconds then seemed to decide it was safe. It flew downward and landed on one of the rocks in the pond. When I reached toward my camera it took off. Disappointment flooded over me as they are one of the hardest birds to photograph where I live. Then suddenly it appeared once more. It flew to the same rock allowing me to compose several different images before it flew off again. After it left I realized that I had been holding my breath as I began to breathe again! This was my favorite image of the ones I took. I like the ring of water that shows where it had been drinking. God's love to all, chris Equipment Used- Canon 50D and a Canon 100-400 L Is Lens @ 285mm Camera Setting - ISO 400,AV mode, F5.6 at 1/100th of a second

Sunrise and A Few More From Yesterday

This morning I was up early watching the sunrise and going over my image files from yesterday. Sometimes a good set of images deserve a second look. There were a number of Hermit Thrushes images that I added to my files. I also would have missed the Junco and fungi image that is quite intriguing. I was glad that I took the time to do a second edit. God's love and blessings to all, chris