Seen with Birder's Eyes

Cape Disappointment Lighthouse, Washington

Three years ago, I was in Long Beach, Wa. and was doing some sight-seeing around the area. I forgot about these photos until today when I saw them on the screen saver of the family's computer.
When I took the photos, I wasn't a 'Birder'. I liked birds, was interested in them, but just thought it was cool to watch them dive from high in the air without thought of trying to identify them.
As you probably know, you can't be a 'Birder' for long when 'indentification' becomes a passion! So, today, 3 years later, looking at these photos with 'Birder's eyes', my automatic response was, "WHAT ARE THOSE BIRDS???"
I looked them up in the Kaufman Field Guide to Birds of North America, an excellent resource, and found out that they are Brown Pelicans.
I still remember standing there, enchanted at the sight of these birds flying and diving into the water. Hmmm... makes me want to go back and see it all over again.

(You can click the images to view enlarged photo)

Mini Garden of Eden?

(These are photos I took this afternoon in my garden. The day is heavily overcast - just after a thunder and lightening storm. The photos are untouched.)

Its one of my favorite times of year since moving into this house 6 years ago. I'll never forget the first summer as I was anticipating the fruit of each tree and shrub to ripen. There are many mature fruit trees planted here and when we moved in on March 3rd, 2003, I didn't know for sure what each tree would produce. It was wonderful to find 3 cherry trees, 2 Italian plum trees, a summer plum, a bosc pear, gravenstien apple and a few others. In addition, we found blueberry shrubs, raspberry plants and huckleberry.
This year, I've not been paying attention to the fruit trees or berries. I've been distracted with other matters and so today when I went out to smell the air after one of our rare thunder and lightening storms, I was so thrilled to see the blueberries are already ripening and the cherry trees are loaded - almost ready! From today until the fruit season is over, its my habit to go out in the garden and pick the fresh blueberries and cherries and eat them right then. It is such a satisfying experience - I'm in the midst of my roses, surrounded by greenery, clean air and eating fresh, vine-ripened fruit. Food for the body and food for the soul - can't beat it!
***For the rest of the story, please go to http://captivatingwoman.blogspot.com

Congratulations! ! !

Today I wish to recognize 3 of my birder photographer friends. Each of them had photos featured in the current edition of the Minnesota Birding Magazine. I have enjoyed and admired their photography through their blogs and it is no surprise that they have been given such an opportunity.

Richard Phillips from At The Water - half page photo inside the magazine:
http://richard-atthewater.blogspot.com/

Lynne from Hasty Brook - photo featured on the back cover of the magazine:
http://hastybrook.blogspot.com/

Ivars Krafts from Ivar's Birds - photo featured on the front cover of the magazine
and another inside
http://ivarsbirds.blogspot.com/

Congratulations to each of you!

Thank you for sharing your talents with us!

The Five Generals

I don't know why, but male Gold Finches have always reminded me of army Generals. Maybe its because of the black patch on their head - suggesting a cap of some kind, or the striped pattern on their wings that look like stripes on a uniform? Regardless, my heart always flutters when I see them around.
This year I seem to see them more than ever. In the past, I was happy to see them at feeders, but now, it seems I see them frequently in the trees. It was enchanting this spring to watch them in among pink or white blossoms! I am also noticing them flying around - even when I'm driving! They just catch my eye :)
Six years ago, when we moved into this house, there were quite a few gold finches that nested in the hedges around our lot. But, it seemed they disappeared after that. I was very happy to see that the gold finch couple I posted about on May 5th had stayed around, built a nest and are at the feeders regularly.
But, today! ! ! ! ! You know, sometimes only God knows how much we need a sweet surprise and today was one of those days for me. I had come out to the kitchen after a phone call and I couldn't believe my eyes! There were FIVE Generals at the feeders - in full uniform and looking very sharp indeed! ! !
I had to take the photo from inside the window, because I didn't want to scare them away. You can see the tail feathers of the 5th one behind the tube feeder on the left and then one flew away before I could get the 2nd shot. It is a really long shot with a really minimal camera - but, I had to try and share this sweet surprise with you.

Lenses

I thought all of you 'Lens Lovers' would appreciate a couple of highlights from the current
National Geographic.The quotes are from the article "Cosmic Vision;"

"When you start stargazing with a telescope, two experiences typically ensue. First, you are astonished by the view -- Saturn's golden rings, star clusters glittering like jewelry on black velvet, galaxies aglow with gentle starlight older than the human species -- and by the realization that we and our world are part of this gigantic system.
Second, you soon want a bigger telescope."

"The telescope doesn't just show you what's out there;
it impresses upon you how little you know."

It seems to be the 'norm' with the people that the more we know, the more we want to know; be it from earth to the farthest reaches of the universe, or from the smallest things we can see with our naked eye to the microscopic. Its incredible to live in this day when lenses of all kinds help us see beyond ourselves into realms that are seemingly infinite.
In birding, photography is one of the biggest insatiable desires. "Capture that bird!" It has opened up a whole new appreciation in me for the 'distance lens'. Now, you can get that photo without having to be right next to the bird - in fact, you can be quite a distance away and the photo will be incredible in quality!
Oh the wonders of science! Its a great temptation for me to 'upgrade' - but for now, I'm going to be still. I know that someday, the right day, I will have better equipment. But, I am also aware that even then, I may not be satisfied - I will want the lens that reaches farther, captures a wider view or focuses faster.
I can surely appreciate the beautiful photos I see on your blogs! Continue to have fun because that's really what this is all about! :)

Quote for Today

Hold fast to dreams
for if dreams die
life is a broken winged bird
that cannot fly
Langston Hughes
American Writer, Poet, Essayist
1902-1067

I BACK ! ! !

Hello Everybody,
I'm back! I was away for a week in May to have a bit of a rest, and on my way home, tore my triceps muscle which really made me rest for another week! And then, I had to ship my computer off for repairs and was without my 'window to the outside world' for more than a week! ! !
But, all is well now, and I was happy to have taken these photos last week, even though I couldn't post them at the time.
I was sitting in my kitchen and enjoyed watching a parent robin and this little fledgling on the lawn. This little baby was adorable and so very noisy too! ! !

I love the springs of baby down that is still peeking out from under real feathers!

I don't know how in the world this baby every got up in the air again!

I hope all is well with all of you too - I've been catching up on your posts and enjoying them very much. Have a great week end and hope you see some sweet bird moments!