Daily Photos 2012
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Posting early today. On the way to get lunch at Arby's we saw this hawk down in a ditch by the freeway ramp. When we came back by, it was still there, so I went back with my camera and took a couple shots off while trying to determine the extent of his injuries. He is unable to take flight, so I'm guessing it's something to do with a bad wing. I called a local bird rescue and left a message. I hope they can pick it up and nurture it back to health. 1.3.11
This is a small portion of a mural on a building in Alton, Illinois. Will post the full mural tomorrow. Happy New Year everyone! 12.31.11
I watched this female cardinal grow up this summer. She is quite beautiful now, but was pretty scraggly-looking in June and July. Mother Nature is amazing...12.29.11
I do hope everyone had a great Christmas. Wishing you all the best for the upcoming year. 12.28.11
Wishing a Merry Christmas to all my fellow photographers. I hope your's is the best. 12.22.11
Something different today. I used the cosmo texture by Kim Klassen on this and tweaked it a bit in Topaz. Happy Wednesday...12.21.11
It seems everyone loves Santa...
I had a rare holiday drink and these unlikely crew showed up to have their picture taken with Santa. I just happened to have a point and shoot with me and snapped off this shot real quick. Got to give them an A for originality. Have a great week. 12.20.11
This ain't the best, but the best I could do today, 12.17.11. Trumpet swans taken at Columbia Bottoms wildlife reserve near Alton, Illinois. Hope to someday do better...
Wishing happy holidays to all...I have 2 packages to ship and I'm all ready for the big day. "Oh what a relief it is." 12.14.11
The cardinals have arrived at the feeder. Sunflower seeds are pretty cheap so I throw out quite a few everyday. i'm hoping to attract some new birds this winter. I get so excited when I see a new bird. Twenty years ago I would never have believed I would sitting out in the cold watching birds...12.11.11
Experimenting with Nik software HDR. I think it worked very well on this image. Thanks to everyone for your kind comments. 12.5.11
A shot from this spring. I have seen this blue heron a lot in the same spot. I call him Buster. He has a lot of luck fishing here. This crappy was speared, but the white herons seem to grab their prey instead of spearing it. Just my observation, maybe not accurate. 11.30.11
Thanks for the kind comments on the chicadee shot from yesterday.
I liked the yellow in the background of this shot. Processed with Topaz. 11.29.11
This was taken at the Shedd Aquarium in Chicago this past spring. I heard they had a jelly fish exhibit and was excited to check it out. Surprising to me, these are not that easy to photograph. Hope I have better luck next time...11.18.11
Winter has barely begun and already I am dreaming of spring and summer. Just got to have that sunshine. Thanks for all your kind comments. 11.17.11
Gosh, where have I been and what have I been doing? Time just seems to fly. I was happy to see a little nuthatch in the backyard. Over the course of the weekend, I got a couple decent shots of it. It was a windy day yesterday...all the birds' feathers are flying everywhere.
Another shot of my sister's grandson, Jacob. Her grandkids are really good kids. 11.5.11
This was taken in the spring of this year. This eagle was busy cooling itself off in a big pool of water. I processed this a little differently than my norm. It kind of goes with the intensity of the eagle, I think. 11.4.11
Ever had one of those bad hair days when you know people are laughing at you behind your back? Well, this red-tailed hawk can whip his head around and check it out. He looks like he would let you know about it too. Well, it is definitely a bad hair day today in the Midwest...wet and very cool. 11.3.11
This is from the my rose garden this summer (as if you couldn't tell, summer, that is). i just liked the colors in this shot. Red and yellow are my favorites. 11.1.11
Little Hazel was at Grandpa's today. 10.31.11
In case there was ever any doubt, this is proof positive that 2 peanuts are better than one. This nut had fallen into the water and this bluejay plucked it out with lightning speed and off he fly. Hence, the 2 droplets of water. Gotta go. Need to throw out some peanuts before it gets dark. Have a great weekend smugmugers. 10.28.11
Look mom, no hands!! These guys are great acrobats. I guess if you live in the trees you don't mind eating upside down. 10.26.11
I know what this is like. More often than I care to admit, I have ended up wearing whatever it is I'm drinking. It's a beautiful fall day here in the Midwest. Hope it is where you are. 10.22.11
The expression on this bluejay's face seems to say "I see you." They really like their peanuts, but are still quite skittish. Still, I think they know I am there watching them. 10.21.11
Have a great weekend smugmuggers!!
Been a little preoccupied with work and the World Series. Who would have thought the cardinals would be playing the Rangers on a cold October night like tonight? Great entertainment. This eagle really has a personality and the feathers to show it...10/20/11
Birds aren't the only thing I run into in the woods. This big elk was grazing along the edge of a small creek and really didn't pay to much attention to me. It was very nice of him to pose for me. 10.18.11
I've kind of fallen off the map for awhile. Yesterday was a beautiful fall day in the low 80s. It was very relaxing sitting in the blind watching the birds. The birds were quite active and I had to be quick. As this shot shows, they didn't perch for long before off they went. 10.17.11
This is the mate to the little titmouse who was mauled by the cats last year. Glad to see it is doing okay and hopefully raised some young ones this summer. They sure go through the peanuts. 10.10.11
This is an example of the shots I get more often than not. These birds move really fast. I am in awe of their grace and beauty. 10.8.11
I have a split second to get a shot at this bluejay. He is very skittish. This is the best from today. Sure go through a lot of peanuts to get 1 good shot. Have a great weekend. 10.7.11
At first I wasn't that impressed with this image, but it grew on me. Hope you like it too. 10.6.11
Spent much of the morning getting my new blind set up including a more improved plywood floor. It didn't take that long so I set up shop and began shooting. The only birds visiting today were sparrows which were everywhere. Like the saying goes "when life gives you lemons, make lemonade" so I got a lot of sparrow shots. Here you have it. 10.5.11
Max in backyard. 10.4.11
I had forgotten what a beautiful time of day sunset was. These ducks seemed to be thoroughly enjoying swimming around in the fresh air of the golden hour. I know I enjoyed watching them. 10.3.11
Really have been missing in action. Dealing with health issues and day-to-day chores, can't seem to get it all done. Thought I would do something a little different and post a B&W. Hope all is well with my fellow smugmugers. 10.2.11
Posting earlier than usual today. It's 12:01 on Sunday. Church is over and the first football game is just starting and I am "ready for some football." Have a great day!! 9.25.11
There is something about these birds that make me think of aliens. Weird I know, but the more I study them the more "out of this world" they become to me. What's even more amazing is that I read somewhere that birds can control every feather on their body. Wow. This one was giving me heck, barking as he (or she) flew away. 9.24.11
Finally...driving the back roads today looking for turkeys. No turkeys again today. This guinea will have to do. Overall, I'm pretty pleased with the result. It was dreary and foggy which added a lot to the mood. I'll take it any day. 9.23.11
Went looking for turkeys this morning. No luck there but stumbled upon Bub's Saloon and Grill in St. Libory, IL and had a fantastic chicken dinner. Great deal at $6.10. 9.21.11
This kid is going to be an Amazon which is no surprise since her daddy is 6'4". 9.20.11
The day did not go exactly as hoped, but I did manage to get a couple decent images. 9.19.11
Saying goodbye to summer. My zinnia garden looks pretty rough, but the butterflies don't seem to mind. So far, despite the cooler temperatures we still have hummingbirds and butterflies, but not for long. Have a great weekend everyone!!! 9.15.11
Another shot of Adrienne from Sunday. 9.11.11
My favorite model. Don't see her much any more, but try to get a shot of her whenever I can. 9.13.11
Closeup of a red-tailed hawk. What magnificent creatures they are. 9.8.11
