Adventures with Duck

So this post will be on Giraffes as the tital suggests. They hold a speical place in my heart as they were my mothers favorite. This is a photo of my mother, where it was taken I'm not sure. But I know she knew what was in the background. So I was looking forward to getting some headshots of the Giraffes on this trip. On my first lap around the park I didn't see any of them. I wasn't sure if they were just up in the fog which was very heavy or maybe they had them locked up .... I still don't know which one it was but I did see them on my next lap around. As you can see I did get those headshots. Then I came across one that thought it would be funny! If you think Giraffes are graceful then you've never seen one get a drink or eat grass. I didn't get a photo of one doing either although the photo above was of one just lifting its head from eating grass from the bank of the road. (Just another photo opp missed for n...

So if you read my last post you know that I traded off some of my camera gear for a new lens. I had to wait until my old gear got to them and they could check it out before they would send me the new lens. Well that was the longest week and a half ever! But the new lens has arrived. It came in late Friday afternoon and I was able to get a couple quick shots that day. I did go out to where I have been getting the Lewis woodpecker shots, but they were camera shy that day. But when I got home the Hummingbirds were more than happy to help me out. The next day I headed to Winston Oregon to the Wildlife Safari. They have a breading program for Cheatahs, They have had way over 200 cubs there and going strong. The Cheatah was the first thing I got to point my camera at. This is the one they use to have your photo taken with. That photo turned out pretty well even though I was shooting through a wire fence. You'll see the type of fence below as I was lucky enough ...

As you know I like taking wildlife photos. I go out almost everyday. I'm hiking 3 to 9 miles at a time and some days I will do two or thrre hikes. Well I'm not as young as I use to be (go figure) and its time I make a change to my hobby. How will I make it and why is what is going to be covered in this post. So here we go... So when I am out hiking I am going down trails and sometimes no trails, up hills up mountains and back down. My feet and ankles are not in the best shape and my shoulders and hands have arthitis. Its the cost of all the fun I had when I was younger. Anyway I would be packing 4 lenses with me most of the time, just in case I needed a different style or reach. packing a 200,400,600 and 800mm lens with you as well as at least one tripod and a chair for when I would be just sitting and waiting or in a hide as well as bear spray, snacks and water I would be packing 30 to 40 pounds. Rarely did I ever use all the things I packed with me, infact I don...

So today I had only a few hours to get out and take photos before the rain returned. It started a little slow, i hiked a new trail for about a mile without seeing anything. I turned around and headed back to the car. I was about 150 feet above the Rogue River, I came to a clear shot of the river and seen a Great Blue Heron standing at the edge of the river with a perfect reflection. Then I headed to Well Creek trail head. It was quiet and low clouds were hanging to the top of the trees. I was surprised to see a Bald Eagle sitting in the to of a tree, I had never seen one on this trail before and I've hiked it almost weekly over the last 5 months. but there it was. then I came across the smallest woodpecker we have here in the USA, The Downy Woodpecker. It's hard to get good shots of these little guys, they don't sit still. But I guess today was my day. Then I ran into a heartbreaker, one of my favorite Tweety birds to photog...

Last week was a pretty good week for photography. I hiked just over 22 miles last week and it was worth it in more ways than one. Yeah, I got some cool shots but I also got a pease of mind. For years I have had trouble with my feet. I spent 13 years doing 20,000 steps a day on concrete, and it extracted a high price. The pain would drive me to tears. That is a ton of pain as I have been told by more than one doctor I have a scary high pain tolerance. For the last for months I have been taking it easy-er on my walking and doing hills and trails. It has paid off. Sure I still would have pain in the evening,but it was manageble and the next day they would be back to normal. I'm thinking another month or two and I will be pain free! Anyway you are here for photos and I will start it off with one I took with my phone as it was so small and my camera lens was so big. Now I have tried looking this Lizard up and can't seem to get a good answer. Its either a Northern Aliga...