A real common bird. The white crowned sparrow I assume is very common around here. If not they have a close relative that looks a lot like them. A little camera shy. But a beautiful bird.
Not often if at all seen around our homes but very common amongst the cattails. The red winged blackbird sees a lot of the front of my long lenses. They are incredibly animated and high strung. A blast to watch and even more fun to photograph.
These American Kestrals are a kick to watch. Like mentioned on an earlier blog they are tough little birds. Not much fighting back from the dinner this guy is enjoying.
The geese are dropping in in groves! Can’t wait for all the shore birds to return to FBBR this year.
A couple of years ago my travels took me on the back loop from Teton National Park to Jackson. A narrow road with vegetation to both edges. The last place that I expected to run into a black bear. There she was eating berries like there was no tomorrow. Very little traffic made it possible for me to get out and shoot from the hood of my car. (please note that the car was between me and the car. And a window shot was not possible) I had one of my longer lenses on the camera. Other than when I was charged by a Grizzly I have never been so close to a bear in the wild. Not a good thing to see how close I can get to a bear. That’s why I pay the big bucks for extra long lenses, i.e. 600mm, and 200-400mm. To keep a lot of air and grass between me and those teeth.
Idaho in late winter/early spring. Plowed fields everywhere. Not to hard to find converging lines to photograph. Near Emmett where work took me today were these areas of large acreage of evenly planted trees. It was sure nice of someone to plant these 20 or 30 years ago so I could photograph them today!
This photograph is an HDR compilation of nine images. The bracketing was 1/3 stop between each exposure. The first or “base” photo is -.7 exposure compensation. I really like the lines in this photograph. There is the obvious line of trees where a path is located. Look close and notice the shadows create lines across the photograph at about 45 degrees. Hopefully the viewer of this photograph sees the ability to enter it and go way back where there is a slight hint of an opening of light at the back.
HDR Image – (9 stop range) Topaz filter – “Buzim”
I have Anxiety Disorder! A mental disorder and disability.
Today I find myself in the Boise, Idaho area. Because of the events of this day an epiphany slapped me square between the eyes. For many years I have battled with anxiety and claustrophobia. Those that know me this is no surprise announcement. At some point in any day a little teasing comes my way. That’s Ok. It kinda helps with the ailment. After checking in at the airport today my usual check for my Xanax back up revealed the drug was left home. For at least 10 years I have carried a bottle with a couple of Xanax therein. The dependence is on having it with me at all times not ingesting the drug itself. The epiphany……Recently I have participated in discussions with people that don’t think anxiety, depression or the like is a real thing. That these ailments can be easily “fixed” by just a change of attitude, exercise or my favorite just “bucking up”. Anxiety, depression, bipolar, OCD and other mental disorders are as real as the condition of “FEAR”. Why do the individuals that do not think mental disorders are a reality think the same about the condition of “fear”? Because everyone has experienced fear. But everyone does not have a mental disorder. Can fear be disabling? Can everyone stand at the edge of a cliff with a small backpack and jump off hoping the backpack releases a device that will lessen the impact at the bottom? Can everyone walk in the backwoods of Yellowstone well after dark where there have been grizzly sightings? Can everyone stand front and center on a stage facing a crowd of thousands and sing a solo? Fear is real. And so in anxiety. In fact some of the symptoms are the same. Like shaking, sweating, increased heart rate, dry mouth and a need to keep moving. Today I could not push myself enough to get on the plane without the Xanax. Anxiety was taking it’s toll. Not having the drug was making it so I needed the drug. A lot of self talk. And a prayer. Just before the gate was to open they announced the plane was over booked. And they needed 5 volunteers to take a later flight. An answer to my prayer. Oh yes! I volunteered, received a voucher towards a future flight and my wife brought me the bottle of Xanax before the next flight. Heart rate decreased. Palms stopped sweating. A feeling of peace and warmth came over me. I had the drug. But did not take one. So is my ailment real? Today my anxiety was settled just with the possession of the drug. For anyone that does not believe these conditions are real I am a walking, living example of a person with significant bouts of anxiety and claustrophobia. It’s real. It’s manageable. And a lot of people suffer with it. My hope is that non believers never have to experience what we that have metal disorders have experienced. Too much information? Not if it helps someone.
The time of year I really look forward to is spring. Not just that everything is coming back to life. Or that green abounds and flowers flourish. It’s the rebirth and birth of so many animal things. As photographers we are out looking for that youthful zest of a little calf or kitten. The photo opportunities are expanded with the enlarged movements of these small new lives. Hurry up spring…I can hardly wait!
Had a chance to get out this morning. Seasonal changes at the FBBR. No ice and the eagles are where the crowds aren’t. The geese however are stopping over in big numbers. Not much photography during the Olympics. Most of my time on the couch.
The carp are dead. DWR kills the carp most years at this time. It’s free food for the scavengers and the Eagles (also scavengers).
Some food fights are created. Which is really strange because there is dead carp everywhere. Thousands of them.
All morning the Eagles were moving around.
Even the seagulls have a “pecking” order! It was a great morning. The only thing to make it better would be a sunny sky.
I follow Moose Petersons website. Today he had a great thought. To see it go here.