Tuesday, June 01, 2010

view from my cage

The rain fell hard on Sunday afternoon. I had been hoping to cut the grass, but instead found myself caged in. Not that I mind being indoors, it's just that Sunday had a gorgeous start, and I had a powerful urge to clip the top off of the lawn.

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The rain was spectacular. It came down in big, fat drops--lots of it! Then, it tapered off, and the birds began singing again. A few flew to the feeder, and I wondered if they might still come with an open window. The thing is that I can't use flash when they come to this window, and they are usually backlit.

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I opened the window nice and wide, thanking the Lord that we are not in mosquito weather. I draped a black backdrop over me and knelt next to the window. As the kids passed through the room, my wife made sure they didn't approach the window, so that I would have a better chance of getting a bird.

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I got a few pictures. These poor birds were all drenched. I wasn't sure how they would react to the flash... well, this is it! They each flew away as I set off the flash. Wow, they're fast!!

14 comments:

Gaelyn said...

Craver you are very persistent in your quest to capture the birds digitally. Why not move the feeder to a better location for taking pics.

SAPhotographs (Joan) said...

You ended with a fantastic shot though Craver. You need to buid yourself a blind.

Wendy said...

Awesome shot! I love pictures of birds in flight and I find it very hard to capture, well done Craver :)

Shammickite said...

They are just shy, and probably embarrassed about their nice feathers being all wet. After all, you don't want to be photographed when you've just come out of the shower soaking wet, do you? Or do you?

mommanator said...

wow fantastic pic

Craver Vii said...

Good question, Gaelyn. Sometimes I do that, but sometimes I just try working with what I've got, first. The feeder is easy to reach and refill in its present location. To move it, we would be stepping over flowers or bushes.

This site would be good for a blind Joan. The last time I got pics here, that's what I used, but this is the first time they've come to an open window.

Well Leeloo, if I don't have any pics of them flying towards me, at least I will have some of them flying away.

Only if it's a rain shower where I had all my clothes on, Shammy. Then, I wouldn't mind it at all. Besides, the other kind of shower would cause all kinds of problems with glare and white balance. (lol)

Gee thanks Mommanator. That's encouraging, because I originally had a different kind of photo in mind, and this is what I had to "settle" for. I should perhaps be thinking more broadly.

imac said...

And what a fantastic shot this is Craver.
Hope you managed to stand up after all that time on your knees,ol boy.lol.

Nature features again on my blog.

happyone said...

At least you got that great picture!!

EG CameraGirl said...

I like how you captured the wings!

I do love how the birds sing after a good rain. :)

Carletta said...

Nice shot of the wing span!

I've been away from blogging for a couple of weeks. I did post the ant on the peony shot. :)

George said...

I really like the shot you got of this bird with the out-stretched wing. I admire your persistence in search of a good photo.

lime said...

how cool that you got his wings and tail spread so beautifully. well done!

Craver Vii said...

It helped that I was propped up by a stack of cushions on the couch Imac. But I just take it nice and slow. It's crazy to see how kids are so unbelievably resilient!

I'm glad you like it, Happyone.

I know exactly what you're talking about, EG. The sound of the birds resuming their song is pure delight!

Craver Vii said...

I had a look at it, Carletta. That was an amazingly clear shot! I must go back and leave a comment.

George, my inspiration is fueled by other blogs (like yours), and persistence is the key preserving any semblance of self confidence in a field where there is so much natural talent.

That's funny Lime, because it wasn't what I was hoping for, but when I saw the results, I was glad for it.