Mid-Jan. Days

We had one good snow last week, and I am reminded again how nice bird pictures are when it snows.  The ground makes somewhat of a huge reflector onto the birds underneath shadows that almost eliminates all shadows!  I had a good time shooting the back yard birds while the ground was white!

Well, I have sent Chistmas boxes, sent cards, wrapped gifts, turned the gavel over to the next president of the camera club, had a sale at the Christmas Baazar, so now it's back to editing pictures and getting through 5 more cards, before taking off later to spend Christmas (at least some of the holiday) with Windy and family.  So, here are a few images recently looked at.

Monday I heard a teriffic bang on the other side of the house.......I wondered what had fallen onto the roof......and when I looked out the back door, discovered a medium sized hawk had flown right into the storm door.  Now you know I have a piece of wide blue tape on this door because birds have a tendency not to see it, so I guess I'll need to put more up.  Anyway, the bird was really stunned for about 5-10 minutes, long enough for me to shoo the cat away and grab my camera.  I did put some honey water in a spoon and held it out to his beak.  He finally recovered enough to fly to one of the bird stands I have near the feeders, and he was so helpful to pose for a few shots before flying down into the woods.   I'm not sure what to make of this, but he looks to be a healthy hawk.  I've repeatedly attempted to get shots of their flying, and never expected one to come calling!!

Monday, Nov. 21

Good Morning!  I recently posted my Colorado pictures (minus the people ones) on this picasa site.  Enjoy
https://picasaweb.google.com/107831683085141733877

Also, this weekend I attended a three day seminar in Nashville, called INFERNO, sponsored by two groups, and several speakers.  It was awesome, with lots of energetic folks talking about studio photography and how to set up and maintain photography business in today's market.  We heard many photo tips, watched several great videos, and listened to several success photography stories, and received many tips on today's market and had personal questions answered.  Lighting for portraits and other situations was covered as well.  I would recommend anyone who wants to step up their photography business to attend one of these.  The group plan to be back in Nashville around this same time next year.

Pam has made a video of the pictures I took of the family while visiting.  Here is the link to it.  Enjoy!
 http://smilebox.com/playEmail/4d6a59354f4455794e5464384d7a55344e4445304d6a673d0d0a&sb=1

Butterflies and Rain

WE FINALLY HAVE RAIN IN MIDDLE TENNESSEE!!  It was such a relief to hear the rain start on Sunday afternoon!!  April, I know a little how you miss the rain and storms in LA now!  We had a month with no rain, and I have been watering something just about every day now for a while...... garden and berries and some trees.  Also, I don't have to have the air-conditioner on today..........and that is a real plus!!  As a matter of fact, it's almost cool enough to start a little fire in the little stove, LOL!!  Definitely the month of August was hot and dry here, and looks as if September is starting out cool and wet..........we'll see what the rest of the month brings!

I've had wonderful butterflies on the zinnia's this summer again.  Here are a few to share:

Early Summertime in Tennessee

My garden grows well. The little finches are eating the wild flower seed in the front yard, daily. They love the seeds from the yellow coreopsis that has just finished blooming. The daisies have been very nice, and one morning I was in the kitchen and kept hearing a strange small sound from the back porch. When I looked out, a little nuthatch was hard at work pulling the wool from some shoes I had left out to dry! I feel honored she/he choose a part of my shoe to line the nest!