Camera Critters #255

Sunday, Feb 10, 2013, was a nice day on the High Desert.  After returning home from breakfast, I grabbed my camera and sat in the sun, enjoying the day.

As I looked around and admired how deeply blue the sky was, I caught sight of something flying about 1,000 feet above me.  I raised the camera, zoomed in and saw, for the first time from my backyard, a Bald Eagle also enjoying the day.



After watching the eagle float out of sight to the north, I continued looking around, soaking up the rays of the warming sun and tossing toys for Sammi to chase.

After about 10 minutes, I caught sight of something else flying around above me.  This time it was lower…at about 500 feet.

Again, I raised the camera, zoomed in and smiled as I snapped my first image of a Cooper’s Hawk.  Not only was it the first image I got of something from that species, but it was also the first sighting I have had of one in Oregon.



The Cooper’s Hawk circled around several times and then headed eastwards.

I sat out in the sun for about an hour more and didn’t see anything else.  With Sammi asleep on my lap, I rose from the chair, put Sammi inside and went on a safari around town.

Misty Dawn’s Camera Critter Meme is a great way see critters the world over. Go to the homepage here to see more. Then join the fun and add your own.

Camera Critters #237

Earlier this week, a friend of mine and I decided to head into the mountains and do a little photography.

We went to a place called Sheep Bridge south of where we live and close to the mountains.  After checking out the river bank and seeing a few subjects, we decided to return to the Jeep and go elsewhere. 

As we came around a bend in the river, we both noticed a Bald Eagle on the opposite side, apparently feeding.  I began taking pictures, getting closer, taking more photos, getting a little bit closer, taking more photos, until we were directly across the river from the eagle.

As the eagle fed, a second Bald Eagle circled the one on the ground, then flew off to find a Kokanee Salmon of its own to lunch on.  Moments later, a Ring-billed Gull landed nearby and began making its way towards the eagle.



One long stare from the eagle and the gull decided it would wait and pick on the scraps.

Misty Dawn’s Camera Critter Meme is a great way see critters the world over. Go to the homepage here to see more. Then join the fun and add your own.

Camera Critter #100

First of all...what a milestone! One hundred editions of Camera Critters and going strong. Congratulations MistyDawn...you've done a wonderful thing here.

And now, on with the 100th Camera Critter.

Last weekend was an annual event for central Oregon, called, Eagle Watch. The event is held the last weekend in February at Lake Billy Chinook, and features speakers and presentations regarding the Bald Eagle and other critters of the area. There are also numerous viewing areas overlooking the lake for visitors to view eagles. Organizers hope to schedule the event to coincide with the return of the eagles to the High Desert.

This year was a more or less bust for those who went to see Bald Eagles. It's been that way the last three years. However, when I went to my first one five years ago, there were plenty of eagles to see. I was also working with a lens I had gotten the day before and learned how to use it.

Of the 120 or so images I recorded, I was able to say some were good. The rest found the delete button. Below are two of my favorite shots from the day.

One of the more interesting things which happened that day was the arrival of a Native American Shaman. He asked if we had seen any eagles and I gladly told of the few that had made an appearance. He then said, "Make sure your camera is ready."

He went to his vehicle and pulled out a drum and after walking to the edge of viewing area we were at, began beating on the drum and singing in his Native language. It wasn't more than two minutes later, there were three Bald Eagles flying in a circle above us. The eagles came lower and lower and at one point were less than a 100 feet above us. This went on for about 15 minutes with more and more eagles showing up.

While all this was happening, I was happily shooting away. It wasn't later when I looked at my images, I realized I had a lot to learn about shooting moving objects with an image stabilized lens.

These days, I have mastered the art and can produce very nice images using stabilization of moving objects.

I just wish the eagles would show up so I can practice on them. Maybe next year. 8v)

Misty Dawn's Camera Critter Meme is a great way to see critters of all types. Go to the Meme homepage here, and check out more entries. Then join the fun and let the world see your critter!

Camera Critter Meme #29

Many moons ago, my only concern when I was out on photo safaris was to shoot birds. I loved photographing birds and still do.

Most of the time, I try to get the birds perched or on the ground. I almost have to do that, since my camera, the original Digital Rebel, has very slow focusing. However, when it does focus, and especially with the lens I currently use on it, the images are often tack sharp.

But I also like to get my bird photos while they are flying. It's difficult, but I have managed to do it and have gotten pretty good at it at the same time...at least I think I have.

Below are some of my favorite in-flight shots.

Great Blue Heron at Fireman's Pond

Tree Swallows near the old golf course

Mountain Bluebird near the fairgrounds

Killdeer at my sister's place

Yellow-headed Blackbird at Fireman's Pond

Raven near the airport

Rough-legged Hawk near Powell Butte

And now, my two favorite flight shots of birds of all time. Both shots were taken during the winter time frame, and with both of them, I didn't know what I had until I got home and put them on the computer.

Dark Morph Red-tailed Hawk near Powell Butte

Bald Eagle over Lake Billy Chinook

I hope everyone enjoyed these shots. The one above is my all time favorite. It has all the elements I like best in a photo. The bird and a great background. 'Nuff said. 8v)

If you liked my critter photos, head to Misty Dawn's Camera Critter page and check out some of the other entries. And if you have the time, join in on the fun!

Camera Critter Meme #21

Last October, a friend of mine said to me, "I got this nice new camera, so why don't we go get some pictures and you can teach me how to use it?"

I said, "Ok...what do you want to shoot?"

"Well," came his reply, "I'd love to shoot eagles."

Knowing the perfect place, we hopped into the Cherokee and off we went to Crane Prairie Reservoir, about 40 miles south of Redmond, where I live.

Our first stop there was for my benefit and not that of my friend, but it turned out to be a bust, so off to eagle land we went. It wasn't far from where we were...actually, even with my poor eyesight, I could see a couple flying around. However, when we arrived, the birds had disappeared. But I knew they would be back. And back they came! So enjoy my multiple offerings for Camera Critter Meme #21.





Needless to say, my friend was ecstatic and so was I for that matter. It was a great day to shoot Bald Eagles.