Author Topic: Wildman's Best  (Read 331383 times)

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Wildman

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Soaking Wet Hummingbird
« Reply #160 on: Feb 23, 07, 08:50:45 PM »
This Anna's Hummingbird (we have 5 or 6 who are wintering) was sitting on a branch when it rained the other day.  The drops hitting the branchs bounced off and made the bird flinch.  Finally, after a bit, the bird flew for the cover of the Manznita bush.


Offline ForestGal

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Re: Wildman's Best
« Reply #161 on: Feb 23, 07, 09:33:48 PM »
Awwwww, what a precious tiny little bird.  Great shot, Wildman!  I sure miss my hummers, they don't like it in WW very much right now.....
(Well, actually, I don't either - I can't wait for spring.)   

Wildman

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Re: Wildman's Best
« Reply #162 on: Feb 24, 07, 01:58:12 PM »
Thank You.

I keep posting pictures with snow in them in hopes to trigger the elements to drop some white stuff.  This from the archives....House Finches wait their turn at the feeder on a snowy day.


Wildman

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A Face Only A Mother Could Love
« Reply #163 on: Mar 02, 07, 08:27:19 PM »
Here's a couple of Hummingbird photos.  As we had last year, we have a number of birds wintering over.  They do not seem bothered by the cold at all and will drink from a feed that looks frozen solid. 

This is a face only a mother Hummingbird could love.  This guy looks disgruntled for some reason. 



This bird was perching on a little wire in the back yard.


Offline tinkbellblonde

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Re: Wildman's Best
« Reply #164 on: Mar 02, 07, 09:20:18 PM »
Wildman - I just started looking at this topic today and what amazing photographs!!!

This has easily moved to the top of my favorite topics list!!!!

I can't wait for more - and where can I get a book?!?!?!

 :2thumbsup:

Wildman

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Re: Wildman's Best
« Reply #165 on: Mar 02, 07, 09:32:34 PM »
Thanks.  Actually, you could get a book called 87 Moments In Time of my favorite photos at this address:   
                     
                     http://www.blurb.com/bookstore/detail/34114

There are two other threads of my photos on the site here:

       http://www.wrightwoodcalif.com/forum/index.php/topic,5261.0.html

      http://www.wrightwoodcalif.com/forum/index.php/topic,3370.0.html

Wildman

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Re: Wildman's Best
« Reply #166 on: Mar 08, 07, 11:52:56 AM »
These photos all were taken at the pond.  The first is a Thrush seemingly running through the water's edge.



This Thrush really enjoys bathing and getting wet.



This Quail is being a bit sloppy and slurping his water.


Calindy

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Re: Wildman's Best
« Reply #167 on: Mar 08, 07, 12:10:33 PM »
I love that second one! Splish, Splash he is taking a bath!!!

FSfirefighter

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Re: Wildman's Best
« Reply #168 on: Mar 09, 07, 06:59:26 PM »
Wildman,

Like usual, your photos are so awesome and so pleasing to see.

Have you ever thought about submitting some of them to the National Audubon Society?

You have such a gift for beautiful nature photos.

KCK

gypsywolf

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Re: Wildman's Best
« Reply #169 on: Mar 09, 07, 08:31:38 PM »
Ditto..

They are truly some of the best bird photos I have ever seen and I have seen quite a few! :2thumbsup:

Wildman

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Re: Wildman's Best
« Reply #170 on: Mar 09, 07, 09:02:00 PM »
Thank you both.  I enjoy taking the pictures almost as much as I enjoy just watching the birds.   I have sent some stuff to a Quail and Dove magazine.

FSfirefighter

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Re: Wildman's Best
« Reply #171 on: Mar 09, 07, 09:32:49 PM »
Wildman,

You have to share your skills and your talent....

The photos are so powerful and so meaningful...

The raindrops captured... the wings fluttering.... the beautiful pictures at all levels... Such simple things, so flawlessly captured with with such beauty and clarity... so awesome.

Sorry for being sappy.... I love your photos... and I love the photos you take.

No BS... it means alot.... I am happy you are such a great photographer who looks at nature in the way I do..... Your photos add some peace to my daily endeavors.... and they are so awesome to view when I need some peace to view.

Thank You.

KCK

Wildman

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Re: Wildman's Best
« Reply #172 on: Mar 10, 07, 09:21:16 AM »
Thank you. Those are powerful words and I am glad that you find a positive purpose in the photos.  I, too, am awed by the beauty that I find in my front yard.  I find myself pausing in the my current endeavor and just putting my screen saver on with music to take my mind away for a moment.

Even better are the surprises that come when you download to the computer and see things that you didn't see through the lens....like these Red Tail Hawks.  This pair has raised several families in our valley.  They were doing an aireal ballet yesterday afternoon and as they passed high overhead, I took photos.  Here is the photo before zooming in....what I saw.



When I zoomed in on the computer, I could see that he (The male has the feather gap) was carrying a twig or straw to take back to their nest site.  Both birds had material in their beaks.  At this point, he is in a high and shallow dive back the nest.


Naughty pines

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Re: Wildman's Best
« Reply #173 on: Mar 10, 07, 10:43:02 AM »
You are wild, man.  :2thumbsup:

Offline ForestGal

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Re: Wildman's Best
« Reply #174 on: Mar 10, 07, 11:30:29 AM »
Those hawks are indeed magnificent!  :2thumbsup:
Looks as if you will have more hawklets (?) in your neighborhood this spring!  :laugh:

lostkiwi

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Re: Wildman's Best
« Reply #175 on: Mar 11, 07, 04:51:07 PM »
Awesome as always. :)

I came across this link today, Wildman, I thought I would pass it along to you.

http://www.hummingbirds.net/index.html

Oh and at the WorldStart site, where I am a member they are having a photo contest each month. This is a very good site. Here is the link for the contests:
 
http://www.worldstart.com/photo-contest

http://www.worldstart.com/
If you go see, make sure to check out the "cool sites" link on the right.

Wildman

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Re: Wildman's Best
« Reply #176 on: Mar 11, 07, 06:03:05 PM »
Thanks!

Wildman

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Re: Wildman's Best
« Reply #177 on: Mar 17, 07, 12:59:54 PM »
This little Hawk (maybe Kestral or Falcon?) is a frequent visitor to the pond for water.  The fast flyer can also be see flying through the trees like an F-16 while chasing a Quail.  He has a favorite perch he likes to use for plucking and eating the birds (and I collect the left over feathers for my fly tying).



Here's a shot of him after he flew up over the pond to scout for a new target.



Finally, the Hummingbirds are back in force and we've put up all the feeders.  We have some migrating Calliope Hummingbirds that have a high pitch trilling sound whenever they fly.


Wildman

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Fire & Ice
« Reply #178 on: Mar 18, 07, 03:23:04 PM »
From the archives....Prescibed fire in Lone Pine Canyon last Spring shows how dramatically our fuel model burns.  Any one who lives near this type of fuel (Phelan-Pinon Hills-Oak Springs Valley-Desert Front and parts of Wrightwood) might face flames like these from now until next rains.  Note flame lengths going up slope compared to the size of the firefighters.  Brings home the reason why brush clearance is not only essential....it's a lifesaver. 



Didn't see many of these this Winter.  Maybe next year.


angiepoo

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Re: Wildman's Best
« Reply #179 on: Mar 18, 07, 04:32:23 PM »
Speaking of hummingbirds, our little red one is back.  He is so pretty.