Moon-rise over the Valley

Loving Lunar images as I do, I can never resist a good moonrise. The colors were a little odd, so I pumped them up a bit. Also, this is a 3 image HDR so I can capture detail in the foreground as well as the moon. There were blackberries right next to where I took this image and they were quite good. :-)

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Orange in the Sky

A recent full moon, just up over the horizon, naturally colored. It *does* look like an orange!

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House Finch

These house finches were in the grass picking the sunflower seed spill-over from above. Just caught this little guy just in the right light. The image is a tad soft too. I'm still trying to find the "sweet spot" in my technique for this lens.

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Sprint Jet Boats

Fun day yesterday, with a sunburn to prove it, at the the USSBA boat races near Albany. They are CRAZY fast running these boats up to 100 MPH down a narrow 3 foot deep cut is a field. If you are curious, go to http://www.ussbaracing.com/. And if you live in Washington state, there are 3 more races this summer. Go, it's fun! (I'll have more.) :-)

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Sometimes it ain't pretty

This is one ugly bird, but you know, he (she) sure is interesting. They perform quite the community service cleaning up. They are marvels in the sky soaring, catching air currents. And they do have interesting color and expressions. So, the Turkey Buzzard is not so ugly after all. (Yes, it is.)

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For the Birds

Watering the dogs I noticed the birds are loving the cherries just as much as we are. So, a couple of the little thieves. :-) May as well I guess. We didn't pick hardly any this year, left them for the birds.

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Swallow at Home

I got this little guy peeking out of her home. I'm sure she didn't like me poking around with my camera.

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Ride On

Following a couple (literally) on their Harley motorcycles on a sunny day, out for what looked like a leisure ride in the country. We were on a pleasure drive, so why not. :-)

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Osprey Takes Flight

This big boy taking off from his perch recently. They seem to have taken their time returning to nest this year, later than normal, I was getting worried. Looks like everything is fine though. First image is the male, second is the female Osprey. 

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Wet Heron

This guy stood around quite a while for me but her sure was dirty and haggard looking. The background was very un-appealing too so I thought a perfect conversion to sepia.

2 for the Birds

A couple from the yard while out playing practicing with the 150-500 a couple days ago. Not too bad but I have determined that I need a new tripod. Camera shake is horrible! The slightest touch sends the whole set up bouncing.

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Sea Rvens

Pictures are a couple Double Crested Cormorant overlooking a nearby farm and the Santiam River below. One is drying his(or her) wings after swimming for dinner. They have to dry themselves like this because they do not have oils as ducks do and their feathers would mold if they did not dry themselves. Personally, I like the literal Latin translation for Cormorant: Sea Raven.

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All American

Boy did this guy pose today! I feel fortunate to get these images of this young adult Bale Eagle. Just sitting atop a power pole, letting me grab quite a few shots. I was in the car, didn't get out as I didn't want to startle him into flight, braced on the window frame. No, not the highest of image quality, but I am still amazed at how well the Sigma 150-500 does do. The real cool part for me is how rarely I usually get this close to an adult. Today I actually saw 3 eagles in this area, this adult and 2 yearlings. There must be a good nesting area close by. I was actually on the way to see if the Egret was still at the lake and it seems not. I like both croppings, but I don't care for the power pole in the second image. Is that ok? What do you think? What I love about the second image is how he appears to be looking right through the lens at me.

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Egret #2

Another version of the egret of a week ago. Not the best image quality but I like the pose and reflection he is giving me.

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Young Bald Eagle

So, this young Bald Eagle was taking a break from hunting. I must admit, without this lens, the new 150-500, I would not have been able to get this image. The eagle was a good 150 yards away and the image is heavily cropped, but it works.

Funny, my brother and I were out taking photos and at this area we were alone for quite a while. Coincidentally, just before the eagle shows up so did about 6 other cars, cameras ready. Someone calls out "It's an eagle" and we all turn and do our best to capture him. Soon after all others were gone and we were left shooing scenic shots of the lake. (I'll post one soon of the lake.)

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Ankeny Refuge Geese

Thousands of geese, hundreds of ducks, 6 swans. 5 egrets, 3 hawks 1 blue heron and an eagle. I didn't get photos of them all and of the ones that I did get many are not usable. I need a LOT more practice with my new lens and tripod lens mount. It is a great setup but we cannot expect miracles on the first real outing! :-)

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Egret #1

Here is the first of a few I captured with my *new* 150-500 "bird" lens, hand held. It is an egret on the bank of the lake that I frequent (see previous post). The bird was there on the way in to school and I tried to capture him but no luck. Still here on the way home and I like this better. Just wish I could get closer for more detail. These guys don't take kindly to strangers however. Pretty amazing morning though. There was a bald eagle just sitting on a power pole and geese flying into the sunrise.

I did a bit of Photoshop and Topaz Adjust on this just to give it a little depth, color and pop. May be too much, maybe not. Let me know! Mouse over the egret to see a pretty much untouched (sharpened & cropped) version. Tutorial at right.



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