The theme of last week’s “Christian Photographers on Facebook” photo contest was Birds. As usual, I learn from the other entries as I try to grow past serendipity in the creative side of the art. Here are the photos I submitted for the Birds contest theme, plus some others:
Mallard duck in flight. I have great respect for anyone who can photograph active children, butterflies, or birds in flight. All of them are moving targets (the butterflies move when you least expect it, and fly erratic paths), so it takes a bit of skill and a bit more luck to take the shot. Getting it in focus is a bonus!Anna’s hummingbird perched in our orange tree. These hummingbirds are in our area year-round, and tend to be a little turfy. They are not happy with other hummingbirds that might come through on migration, and they each usually try to stake exclusive claim to our hummingbird feeder.Anna’s hummingbird in flight, hovering near the feeder. The throat is red when sunlight hits it at just the right angle, but few of my photos look as spectacular as the ruby-throated hummingbirds seen in other areas.Rufous hummingbird. About the same size as the Anna’s hummingbirds, these have begun showing up for a week or two each spring as they journey north on their annual migration. We never see them in the fall, so maybe their trip south takes a different route. The Anna’s hummingbirds resent their presence and try to drive them away from the feeder, but with limited success.Rufous hummingbird perched in our orange tree. He kept careful watch so as to not be surprised by his rivals.Hawk on a fence, watching for hikers with cameras. Or, more likely, maybe he was watching for ground squirrels. Not sure if this is a red tailed hawk, a Cooper’s hawk, or some other variety.Red tailed hawk soaring near the Livermore Valley. Not an uncommon sight, but we usually see more turkey vultures than hawks or eagles. The windmills on adjacent ridge lines harvest a number of hawks, eagles, owls, and other birds year-round, but I never hear of turkey vultures killed by the blades. Maybe that’s because the vultures are more likely to stay out over the valleys?Found this bird on Hawaii (the Big Island) a little over 10 years ago. If I ever knew what it was, I have forgotten. Please send me a note or comment if you know.
If you appreciate these shots, don’t forget to visit my photo gallery at https://jesseyow.com/electrons-are-cheap/ from time to time. I add photos to it every week or two, typically a half dozen or so at a time, and most of them are higher resolution than these. Enjoy!!
