Been A While…
Wow. It’s been quite some time. A lot has happened. Initially, I was unemployed for a little bit, and anyone that has ever been there knows that priorities change. The internet had to go. Time was spent looking for a job, pounding the pavement, rather than walking the streets looking for photographs waiting to be taken. Money got tight, gas prices rose, and activity in my life ran down to a minimum.
But I’m back. I’m working, making money, and putting my camera back in hand, and priorities back in line. So by way of a re-introduction, here’s just a few random shots that have helped pass the time…
Zayne and Great Basin Gophersnake
My son and his girlfriend hunting for petroglyphs in the Volcanic Tablelands.
Goldfinch
Zayne enjoying Hot Ditch. Natural reflection from the water cured backlight shadows nicely.
Random front yard flower
1982 Shovelhead Custom Rigid. She will be mine. VERY soon…
So…yea…just a few shots to say, I’m back. And things are getting better. Thanks for stopping by!!
I LOVE my new job!!!
Yup…got a new job. I told you guys I was fired while my son was in town. I was a bit pissed at first. Afterall, who can blame me for getting upset? I was fired for not working hard enough…for free…on my days off…but I digress…
Shortly after getting fired, I found out that the local wildlife rehab center was hiring. I have been an Educational Volunteer with Eastern Sierra Wildlife Care, doing educational shows and presentations for a couple of years now. Cindy is a wonderful lady with a tremendous amount of knowledge and a heart of gold, and she always respected my reptile knowledge. When I found out they were hiring for summer wildlife interns, I jumped at the chance. Luckily, out of a rather large field of VERY experienced individuals, Cindy gave me a chance.
So here’s some pictures of our current patients…
Juvenile Red Tail Hawks
Juvenile Red Tail
This poor guy above was electrocuted. Unfortunately, it is likely that he will never fly again. His wing is wasted, and may even need to be amputated as the flesh continues to atrophy from the injury. Hopefully we can get a permit to keep him as an educational bird, but…that’s a mighty big “IF”…
Nestling Great Horned Owl
This is one of 3 nestling Great Horned Owls we have right now. All 3 were orphaned, but otherwise healthy. They are strong, healthy, and will be released to live in the wild as soon as possible. We also have an adult GHO, but she has a pretty bad wing laceration, and she stresses out really easily. She’s doing well, and we expect a full recovery and release soon, but I didn’t want to stress her out with photos…
Nestling Red Tail Hawk
Nestling Red Tail Hawk
This is Lucky. Lucky is a nestling Red Tail Hawk. He was found on the ground, out of the nest, no adults anywhere to be found, and he was FAR too young to be alone. An extensive search of the area revealed no signs of parents or siblings. We don’t know why or how Lucky was orphaned, but we sure are trying to raise him right. He’s strong, he’s full of attitude, and hopefully, with some flying time and hunting lessons, he will be released back into the wild before fall.
My mom always said, and I always believed her…things happen for a reason. Getting fired from the pet shop SUCKED. Getting this new job at the rehab center is a dream come true. When one door closes another opens, and this door is one I’ve been wanting for a long time. Stick around. I plan on sharing a TON of photos of our rehab adventures this summer…
Thanks for looking!
P.S.–Please checkout Eastern Sierra Wildlife Care’s website. It’s a fantastic, non-profit institution funded entirely by private donations and volunteer efforts. We are sometimes the only thing standing between these fantastic creatures and death, so give ‘em a look, and see what it’s all about. If you live in the area, we can always use rescue volunteers, and you could even volunteer to work hands-on at the center. It’s not a job for everyone, but everyone that does it is vastly rewarded…
Walking Around Out Back
Went for a walk through the desert out behind the house this afternoon. No snakes, but bunches of lizards and birds…
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- House Finch
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- Western Kingbird
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- Common Sideblotch-Uta stansburiana
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- Western Sagebrush–Sceloporus graciosus graciosus
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- Common Sideblotch-Uta stansburiana
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- House Finches
Birds and a Panamint
Yup…more birds, and a BEAUTIFUL Panamint I found with my daughter…
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- Panamint rattler-Crotalus stephensi
That little Panamint was awesome. He was being harassed by a Raven that was evidently trying to keep him in the road to be run over. Lucky for the snake, not so much for the Raven, we were the first car to come along, so I scared off the raven, grabbed my snake hook, and moved the little guy out of the road.
Thanks for looking!
Strollin’ through the Park one day…..
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- Black Neck Hummingbird
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- House Finch
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- House Finch
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- White Crowned Sparrow
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- Artesian Oasis
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- Nesting Sparrow
I found a new artesian well, too. Prettier than the other one, in my opinion. I’ll be back again…
Thanks for looking!
Backyard Bird Watching
Backyard bird watching. It’s almost cliché. People are hustlin’ and bustlin’ around this great big world of ours, and not leaving anytime to enjoy the simple pleasures of life. Money is tight, job security is low, taxes and inflation continue growing… It seems the only thing we have any ability to control anymore is how we respond to the rapidly changing stimuli.
That’s why I LOVE my backyard. Let me explain… I live in the High Desert. My house is situated at about 5,000′, right on the feet of the eastern slope of the Sierra Nevada Mountains in eastern California. I can look out my living room window and I have an unobstructed view for close to 10 miles, all the way up the western slope of the White Mountain peaks, which is the western most border of Nevada. Now…there is a major highway running through there, and a multitude of high-power, high-tension lines zig-zagging back and forth. Views are spectacular, but these ugly lines are very destructive to landscape compositions. But the wildlife is incredible…
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- American Goldfinch
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- American Goldfinch
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- Common Sideblotch–Uta stansburiana
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- Domestic Iris
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- Male House Finch
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- Female House Finch
It’s amazing how curative a backyard like mine can be. I’m gonna tell you guys a little secret…I lost my job last week. Yea, right in the middle of my visit with my son, I found out that I was no longer employed. But it’s OK. I had an incredible week visiting with my son, and my emotional well-being has never been more positive. Even being unemployed and quickly running out of money, I can’t help but smile. I walk out back, and it just happens. Something will come through. I have a lot of experience in a lot of fields. I’ve done everything from flippin’ burgers and pouring drinks to antique restorations and hotel management. I also found out about some pretty cool job openings in my area, including backcountry habitat recovery and wildlife rehabilitation, and not only would I LOVE to have either of those jobs…I’m fairly well qualified for both. So something will come through. Just gotta ride this wave for a few days…
Thanks for taking the time to stop and look!
The Buttermilks and Mono Lake
Turkey Vulture
- Panamint Rattler–Crotalus stephensi
- Panamint Rattler–Crotalus stephensi
It was quite a lovely day…
- Kevin trying to get the shot
- Little Peak
- Buttermilk Ridgeline
Kevin’s flight back home was this afternoon, so we left the house around 5am, and headed up to Mono Lake, to get some early morning shots before he had to go. It was another spectacular day…
- Mono Lake Tufa
- Looking for a shot
- South Tufa Portrait
This has been one of the most incredible weeks of my life. I’m really glad I took a chance and reached out to my son. I’m even more thrilled that he responded positively. I think we have a good thing to build on here…
Thanks for taking the time to look!
Landscapes, Lizards, and More Fire
Kevin flies back to Colorado tomorrow. It’s been an incredible week, but I’ll be sad to see him go. We’re making plans for him to come visit again in August, and that will be really nice, but…I’m gonna miss him when he leaves…
Yea, it’s really been an incredible week. I met my son. Zayne met her brother. And we really enjoyed each others’ company. It will definitely be sad to watch him go, but I know he’ll be coming back…
Thanks for looking!
Digital Manipulations
This is a relatively new outlet for me. Everyone has sat in front of their computer and played around with Photoshop. I have, at least. In that process, I’ve learned how to use a lot of very important tools for “developing” my digital files into high quality photographs. This is a necessity, as a photographer.
One thing that has always simultaneously intrigued and eluded me, is the ability that some people have to create something totally new, and never-before-seen through Photoshop. My first steps towards this creative outlet is using textures, layers, and brushes to create something completely different from the original photograph I started with. I really don’t know if these are “good” or not. I’m not skilled or experienced enough to be a proper judge, so I’ll leave that up to you folks. Feel free to leave comments with tips, tricks, ideas, or advice…
I don’t know. It’s fun, it occupies my mind, and if it makes me a little more adept and familiar with the tools in Photoshop, I suppose it serves a greater purpose. But…is it any good? You tell me…
Thanks for looking!
More Birds
April is an absolutely incredible month this year. I am SWAMPED with tasks, commitments, chores, and work. The Shop is moving to a new location, the herp club has commitments to wildlife and government agencies every weekend, and my 21 year old son is coming to visit…for the first time…since he was 2… Anyhow…
With all the work, stress, and outside commitments in my life right now, there hasn’t been much time to get out and take pictures. But, since I got my new 70-300mm lens, I decided to get a couple birdfeeders and put them in strategic locations throughout the yard. So at least I have some bird photo opportunities…
Some kind of Chickadee...I think...
House Finch...the majority population 'round here...
House Finch, approaching strategic feeder #1
A different House Finch, actively feeding at strategic feeder #1
Yellow Headed Blackbird
I’m no good with bird identification, and I don;t own a guidebook, so if any of you bird lovers out there see these as labled wrong or misidentified, please feel free to comment or drop a line to let me know. I don;t mind being corrected, so please don;t hesitate to offer expertise where I have none…
I also played around with textures again. This time I used Photoshop brushes to create the texture. These brushes were again provided by Shadowhouse Creations. Any of you photographers with even a small interest in textur layers should definitely check that site out. This guy is giving away some absolutely outstanding work, with very few considerations being asked for. The man is talented and generous. Anyhow…
Sparrow
I honestly enjoyed working with the brushes much more than the texture layers. More control, precise placement, and an infinite amount of variability. Very neat, and really quite fun. You should try it…
Thanks for taking the time to look!
What a GORGEOUS Day!!
Ahh…it felt like Spring. Hell, it almost felt like summer! Woke up to a gorgeous sunrise, and had my first cup of coffee on the front porch listening to the sparrows as the sun crept up over the hills…
Sparrow at Sunrise
I got home from work and the Sphinx moths were back out, only this time they were after the freshly blossomed lilacs…
I had to go down to Big Pine to water some animals for a friend who is out of town. For giggles, I cruised up one of my favorite roads to see if by chance the snakes were awake, and wouldn’t you know it…
Panamint Rattlesnake--Crotalus stephensi
This little juvenile Panamint was very cool, chilling in the road on the way back down. So it’s official. First snake of the year means spring is officially here! I don’t care the weather thinks…
Thanks for looking!
Backyard Birding
When you haven’t got a lot of time, you work with what you got. I got a nice, big, empty desert loaded with songbirds and blossoming brush as a backyard…
A few Birdies for today…
I took a few bird shots yesterday at lunch, and thought I might share them today…
I also managed a couple of shots of our dog, Rex, playing frisbee…
Rex is just not happy unless he catches it in the air…
Thanks for coming along!
HDR from Last Night…
While shooting the sunset last night, I took a chance and shot a 4 exposure HDR, at 1stop intervals. I don’t do HDR very often, but occasionally, it works out…
As the Sun Goes Down...
I also thought I would share a couple of bird shots from yesterday morning. I’m really diggin’ the new 70-300mm lens, but I am already drooling over the Zuiko 2X tele-converter…
Anyhow…bird shots…
Grey bird in the tree...I'm not real good with bird ID's...
Cool looking blackbird with a bright yellow breast and orange head...
That’s it. Just a few more from yesterday. Thanks for looking!
More Fun with the New Lens
Haven’t left the house without the camera and 70-300 in tow. Before I had it, it seemed there was a raptor perched on every tree or around every corner. Now that I have a long lens…not so much…
I did see this juvenile Red Tail, though…
Juvenile Red Tail Hawk
Still some songbirds in the yard, too, so that’s always nice…
Perched on the Fence Post
Can’t wait until I have a pleasant day off with this thing. I’m going for a walk in the desert…
Until next time, thanks for stopping by!
Finally…A Nice Day
I got a brand-spanking new 70-300mm lens just this past Friday. I’ve been wanting this lens for a couple of years now, specifically to shoot birds and skittish lizards. As luck would have it, the weather has been absolutely horrible since Friday evening. Today was the first chance I had to really take it out and play around. A lens with this much reach takes some getting used to, but I expect I’ll get the hang of it fairly soon…
As the Sun Fades...
She's thinking, "Can it see me?"...
Spring has come for this nesting hen...
A pair of House Finches, preening in the early morning sun
Just some quick shots from the front yard, and a run through the town park this afternoon. Not a lot to shoot, but enough to get the lens out and have some fun. I’m really looking forward to the Eastern Sierra Herpetology Club field trip next Sunday…
Thanks for taking the time to stop by!
New Long Lens
So I finally broke down and invested in a decent long lens. Yesterday, I came home for lunch and it was sitting on the porch…my brand new Zuiko 70-300mm tele zoom. So I brought it to work to try it out…
Petrie-Baby Red Belly Parrot
Bailey-Blue and Gold Macaw
Nina-Congo African Grey
It was nice to be able to stand back away from the birds enough that they didn’t get nervous about me, and still be able to get nice, tight shots.
Later in the evening, while sitting in the living room, we could see the Big Pine fire flaring up pretty intensely. It was dark, but I got this shot…
Big Pine Fire
Pretty intense fire. I live about 8 miles from Big Pine, and still managed a shot like this with only a 300mm lens. I think we got pretty lucky…
Thanks for taking the time to look!
Morning Rain
I woke up extra early this morning, anticipating some early cloud coverage and a spectacular sunrise. I was half right… It was pouring down rain and the clouds were so thick you couldn’t even tell sunrise happened until the sun was well above the mountains. But storm fronts are cool whether rain or snow, so I went out and shot for an hour or two before work…
I went straight to work after shooting a few scenics, and took a couple of animal pictures, to round out the day…
Bailey-Blue and Gold Macaw
Nina
Chinchilla Closeup
And an obligatory water-macro-abstract-thing…
Yup...water...
It’s nice to be getting shots, even if they aren’t the ones I had hoped for…
Thanks for taking the time to look!
Blue Jays in the Yard
These birds are loud, cantankerous, and slightly offensive with their behavior, at times. But they are always beautiful, and their brazen attitudes make them decent photo subjects. These two were romping in the front yard, picking at peach pits…
Couple of ornery Blue Jays
This little guy got curious, and came in fairly close, letting me get a couple really decent shots of him…
Watching me...
Getting braver...
What are you?
You can almost see the quizzical nature of his glance, as curiosity wins out over fear, and he comes up to check me out. Really cool birds…as long as I’m already awake…
Thanks for taking the time to look!
They’re Eating My Peaches!
But they are beautiful, so I’ll let it slide…
"I'm watching you watching me!"
Contemplating the risks of movement
Hmm...Is that a threat?
Better safe than sorry!
I had 2 beautiful peach trees this year. This small tree that produces large numbers of small-ish white flesh fruit, and a much larger one that produces smaller numbers of large, ultra-sweet yellow flesh fruit. We managed to harvest about 5 dozen white flesh peaches before the birds got to them. We only maneged 4 yellow flesh peaches…
But the birds and the bees are happy as you please, and all is as it should be.
Thanks for taking the time to look!!
Some Random Stuff…
Well…I’ve been a long-standing advocate for photo editing software that is NOT produced by Adobe. My entire photographic “career”, I have avoided purchasing the likes of Photoshop, Photoshop elements, or any of the Adobe Creative Suites. Sure, they are fantastic programs with fantastically deep levels of manipulation and control. However, I have never had a need for so much depth and power. And the cost has always been preventative.
Well, a good friend of mine upgraded from CS2 to CS4 last week. So he gave me his copy of CS2. So I figured I would learn how to finally use my camera to it’s fullest potential, shoot in RAW format, and use a powerful program for processing. I still find I don’t need all the extras and depth, and I find myself wondering when I will ever use the heavy manipulation processes. But I’m a wannabe geek, so it’s fun to play around…
Itty-Bitty Feeding Frenzy
Water Cascade
My Girl, Nina
Caught in the Act
I don’t know. I don’t think the program is that much better than the Corel Paint Shop Photo Pro series. Sure, it has more power. But will I ever use it? I don’t know. But it sure is fun to play around…
Thanks for stopping by!
Eastern Sierra Herpetology Club
The ESHC is well into it’s second year of existence, and today was one of the most exciting days for the membership, and for me, personally, as a founding member.
Some may remember last year at about this time, I posted that the club was going to ask for seasonal closures of a specific road to help protect a breeding population of the incredibly rare California Black Toad (Bufo exuls). We successful in getting a Memorandum of Understanding with the Department of Fish and Game. As part of that MOU, the club is obligated to volunteer time and man-hours for maintenance of the habitat in the breeding location. That’s just fine by us.
We met with a leading DFG biologist that has been working to protect these toads for a long time. We had a great day installing blockades, cleaning the area, and of course…documenting animals and flowers…
James and Ceale working to install a T-post at one of the stream crossings
The gang, observation a swarm of bees. I stayed far away from that nonsense.
Great Basin Whiptail--Aspidocelis tigris tigris
Barrel Cactus in bloom
Beavertail Cactus blossom
California Black Toad--Bufo exuls
Black Neck Hummingbird eggs
All in all it was a fantastic day! We were asked by the DFG to participate in a few studies in specific areas, looking for and documenting, various reptiles and amphibians for inclusion in a variety of environmental reports and studies. Hopefully, you will start seeing some great improvements to the habitat and conservation efforts of the reptiles and amphibians that inhabit the Eastern Sierra!
Thanks for looking!
Brave Little Lizards
I’ve come to the conclusion that the lizards that hang out in my new backyard have seen many, many people, and have lost their natural fear. They just sit still, assuming that I don’t see them…
Common Sideblotch--Uta stansburiana
Western Sagebrush-Sceloporus graciosus gracilis
Of course, there also flowering weeds…
Anyone know what this is? Maybe some sort of mustard...??
And we have LOADS of little songbirds flitting about. They always come close enough to see, but rarely close enough for me to get them with my 105mm lens. I need to invest in a 300mm…
Anyone know what he is? He is very pretty and has a great little song...
Thanks for taking the time to look!
Walk About Town
Just walking through town yesterday morning with my camera and 105mm macro lens…
Some kind of cultivated Rose
A sure sign of summer in the Town Park
Some kind of clingy-tree-vine with pretty flowers
Gathering nectar
Thanks for taking the time to look!
