• Avian

    Heat Wave Out Here

    Preening

    By that I mean we’ve seen that thermometer rise above the 50 degree mark. Been weeks since we’ve seen that. So yesterday for lunch I made a sandwich, set my chair out on the sidewalk and watched the geese and ducks perform. Felt wonderful soaking up the warm sunshine. I also wanted to check on solo Goldeneye that has been around for the past few weeks. I’m wondering if it is ill or hurt.

    Had three groups of geese land while I ate and marveled at all they do. It’s almost like they are playing after they land. They will dive in a forward direction, head first, flapping those flippers in the air (see above photo) then roll to one side and flap those wings. Water is spraying all over the place. In the above image you can see one rolled over on his/her back while the one directly in front is judging the water spay. “More leg action, son.” I found it pretty interesting.

    A couple more facts for you: They can cover 1,500 miles (2,400 kilometers) in just 24 hours with a favorable wind and up to 16 continuous hours. The oldest known wild Canada Goose was 30 years 4 months old. Just 50 geese can produce two and a half tons of excrement in a year. That’s a lot crap!

  • Avian,  Essays,  Photography

    I’m an Art Photographer

    We Have Liftoff

    “Here’s what I think: I think an art photographer is a photographer with an opinion. An opinion about which of their photographs can truly stand as one of theirs, and about how the photograph ought to look.” Mike Johnson

    In a previous post last week I admitted to being a photographer. Don’t’ laugh. I’m one who thinks there is an artist within each of us, buried, hidden and waiting to come out. Whether we feed the artist within or keep it contained is our choice. Many of us are reluctant to place the adjective, art, in front of photographer.

    In my photography I shoot from the gut, not necessarily attempting to express some opinion or idea at the time I press the shutter. I’m more intent on seeing what’s in front of me, using my intuition and experience to see the light, find a composition, select a specific depth of field or select a perspective according to what feels right. After saying that, I would suggest all of these make up my “opinion”, but subconsciously. This opinion may come to my consciousness at a later time. I look at my photography from the perspective of an artist, “my art.” I look to the voice within me to lead me forward, opening my eyes, to come up with ideas for images and projects. Don’t all of us desire for our images to have some impact on viewers, inspiring them to step outside in nature rather than living life through a TV, a computer, a tablet, or smart phone? But, that’s another opinion for another time.

    The above image was not an attempt at creating an artistic image. It was a moment when I was not totally prepared for the immediate takeoff and was a series of quick shots. Only after post processing did I see something I liked. Just my opinion or mere ramblings. 🙂

  • Avian,  Canon Powershot G12

    Preening at Sunset

    Preening at Sunset

    One of the arguments we often use for not writing is this: “I have nothing original to say. Whatever I might say, someone else has already said it, and better than I will ever be able to.” This, however, is not a good argument for not writing. Each human person is unique and original, and nobody has lived what we have lived. Furthermore, what we have lived, we have lived not just for ourselves but for others as well. Writing can be a very creative and invigorating way to make our lives available to ourselves and to others. We have to trust that our stories deserve to be told. We may discover that the better we tell our stories the better we will want to live them.” Henri Nouwen

    This is also true of our photography or any other art form. Yes, others have taken images similar to the one above but not this exact one. It is uniquely mine. So I share it with you and for myself. Have an Awesome weekend!

  • landscape,  quotes

    Hoover Reservoir

    Hoover Reservoir

    I do not think the measure of a civilization
    is how tall its buildings of concrete are,
    But rather how well its people have learned to relate
    to their environment and fellow man.

    Sun Bear of the Chippewa Tribe

  • Avian

    Staying in Balance

     

    Staying in Balance
    Staying in Balance

    The reason Canadian geese, and many other birds, will balance on one leg is not because of boredom. It seems the birds’ legs have an adaptation called “rete mirabile” that minimizes heat loss. The arteries that transport warm blood into the legs lie in contact with the veins that return colder blood to the bird’s heart. The arteries warm the veins. By standing on one leg, a bird reduces by half the amount of heat lost through unfeathered limbs. So when temperatures drop birds will stand on one leg to stay in balance with the natural world around them.