Tuesday, June 30, 2015

Wordless Wednesday

setting for landscape

Normal (94)

Normal (35)

Out Of Focus

I am thinking (maybe wrongly) that I need a different camera. (Any excuse, huh?) It could be that this camera is just too heavy and that is the reason for so many bad shots. Of course, it could be that I'm a lousy photographer. I don't know. I lose so many opportunities because I have so much trouble getting the thing set up, and then there is that focus beam. I think it stays on too long. I do shake too. Well, anyway, here is an example:
The focus was a bit too far off ...

Better shot, I can see a water drop off her beak - not good resolution though. I am my worst critic.
I didn't care how this turned out, just shooting to keep track of the sunflowers. (They have been mutilated since those RWBB discovered they were food!)

Saturday, June 27, 2015

My Apologies

The other day, I posted a Northern Mockingbird - it didn't look right to me, the color was so off. Well, I got another shot of the bird - away from the noonday sun, reflecting off the sunflowers. I guess I have to watch out for that!
Much more accurate!

Thursday, June 25, 2015

Friday, June 19, 2015

Shazam!

I think it's me, but it may be my camera, or it could be the birds. Every time I try to focus the camera in a low light situation, as soon as I push the focus - the bird takes off. Can they see this beam and it frightens them? Am I just subconsciously being over-anxious and screwing up?
There was a bluebird there, some 30' away.
 Now to "Shazam!" Ever since I got this camera, I have tried to catch a bolt of lightning. Storm comes - out comes the camera. Usually my shots show nothing, and at the best a flash of light. The other night, we had a real banger going on. I took shot after shot hoping to catch something before I could see or hear a thing. I do know that once you hear it, it is long gone. Finally, I tired of this game after 20 shots or more. I hadn't looked at the first shot when I took it - that was the one that I kind of got! Now - seriously, I am aware that the shot really sucks. I have a filthy window, I have all kinds of reflections going on from the room. BUT, I finally got one!
SHAZAM! June 17, 2015
May even your smallest dream come true!
Have a lovely weekend!

Monday, June 15, 2015

Bit of a surprise

Thought I saw something, and ...

I'll be hanged, that puny little thing has blossomed, I didn't notice it until this afternoon, it's so small. Ignore the bs (bird stuff)

Saturday, June 13, 2015

I finally GET it!

Early Morning

Noon (DST)

5:00 in the afternoon

Sundown
The large bud is too heavy for the stem it would seem. I did notice though, that the sunflowers without a bud did tend to also follow the sun. It's pretty bad when it takes a body 69 years to figure out why they are called sunflowers! Doh! I didn't see that the weeds did this. Smart flowers, eh?

Sunday, June 7, 2015

I Feed ...

I left the dead fig because the birds like to sit in it. I believe they have planted several sunflowers for me in return.

Red Headed Woodpecker has yet to come into the yard. Sorry it's fuzzy.

My squirrel, he visits as often as he dares. Occasionally jumping into the greenery to hide.

Two of the four crows, who think they own the place since they got the nerve to check out the basket.
Have a beautiful week, Y'all!

Monday, June 1, 2015

Not My Birthday!

Today is a special day for many I know. If I have forgotten any, blame it on my age. Not leaving links either, they may be trying to hide the fact. Happy Birthday to my son J! Best Wishes to my dear friend (of 60 years) Marrilee. Tell me girl, how does it feel? I'll be joining you soon enough! Bless you on your special day, Dottie! Double wishes to Janet and John, my favorite twins. Last but not least is little Meg, sweetest of all the little birthday girls!
The Red-Bellied Woodpecker has become a daily visitor.

This little guy will not stay still...

He visits frequently, but hard to shoot, I believe him to be a Downy Woodpecker. Right T? 
Normally I only see the robins walking the yard, pulling up worms and the like. This one sat in the old fig branches for about half an hour, swiveling his head as if listening for something or someone. I'm wonder if something happened to its mate.
I never thought I would be a "Birder", but here I am, excited each time I see a new bird to shoot. There is no such thing as a common bird. They all are special in their own right with complex personalities just like us. Have a very lovely week, my friends!