Hummingbird Portrait

August 2020 was the month of the hummingbird in our garden- they rule the back yard. When we are outside we are constantly “buzzed” as they make sure we know we are in their territory. We’ve had many more than ever before- is it the hot, dry weather? the fires elsewhere? Whatever the reasons, we have enjoyed having so many!  Our local bird expert writes that some will start leaving soon (as they always do in September), but we imagine that we will continue to have a few that will stay around through the fall.

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Once Upon a Time in Bodie

A fun image I created for my photo group this week . . .

This image brings back great memories of our group’s trip to Lone Pine, California. We had to cancel last semester’s trip to southern Arizona a few months ago due to Covid (of course), but I’m looking forward to the day when we can start taking trips together again. As a self-taught photographer, I found this group of talented photographers so intimidating at first- the skill level, the knowledge, the gear, and the creativity. I’m still awed by the the images produced by my fellow members, but have made good friends and consider our meetings (now on Zoom) to be the highlight of my week. AND things are going my way- one assignment this semester is Shallow Depth of Field and another is Photoimpressionism!

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Adios

I was out with my macro lens among the flowers and the hummingbirds and one bee this morning. I was able to capture the bee as it landed in many shots- but my favorite one for some reason is this one, as it turned his back to me and flew on to pollinate another flower.

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Little Roughneck

There seems to be a Hummingbird Fight Club going on in our back yard these days. In the last month, we have had more hummingbirds than ever before, and although it has thinned out a bit in the last week, we have constant territorial battles going on- especially in the mornings and early evenings. We have four feeders, but there is always one that is the feeder of choice that must be guarded by whoever seems to be in charge at the time. Often there are six to eight hummers involved in the dispute over the chosen feeder! I like this shot because this little one chose to take a break on a high willow branch, which made a nice composition.

 

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Adorable

We ventured out beyond the confines of Prescott a couple days ago to BEARIZONA, a wildlife park in WIlliams, with the exclusive intention of photographing the three baby grizzlies they acquired a few months ago. Baby animals are always cute, but there was something so adorable about these cuddly little guys who will grow up to be soooo dangerous. We watched their antics for over an hour as they played, bathed, and chased the ravens who hung around their area. Great entertainment!

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Hiding in Plain Sight

We have been enjoying watching the bunnies that have taken up residence in our yard. We often see them in the early evening scampering in the front yard- and then freezing in place as they realize we are outside.

There is actually a second bunny hiding in the shadows in the flowers behind the first one.

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Standing Tall

This beauty VOLUNTEERED to grow in our garden! I noticed it growing a couple weeks ago in a big pot which holds our spent irises. Each day it grew taller and finally bloomed a few days ago. We didn’t plant it, but we are delighted it chose our yard for its home,

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Above the Clouds

Stop the presses! We got out of Prescott! The drive was only 17 miles or so, but we did get out of town. The impetus was that my photo group is meeting tomorrow on zoom- and the topic is “How Far Have You Gone”- meaning how far have you travelled during the pandemic. Until this weekend, my answer would have been all the way to the doctor’s office. I’m pretty sure that I’m not the only one in the group who is staying home most of the time- but I just didn’t feel like bringing a still life or flower photo (although I will later on).

So we drove through Skull Valley and Kirkland, and I found three photo ops along the way. Today’s photo is one I took on the way home- I’ll post the one I am using for class later on.

 

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