Category Archives: birds

Hummingbird flying in the searchlights

24 Wednesday Mar 2021

Posted by in Anna's Hummingbird, Backyard Garden, bird, birds, Canon, Cuphea Vermillionaire, Garden, Home Garden, Hummingbird, Sloat Garden Center

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What looks like search lights in the background are actually my Fan Aloe plant I just purchased at the Sloat Garden Center in San Francisco by the Zoo. The Fan Aloe (Aloe plicatilis) plant will produce orange/red flowers in a couple of years that will be attractive to Hummingbirds. The natural lighting in the yard reflected off of the Fan Aloe plant is showing as white versus the real color of grey/green.

Shooting photographs in natural lighting is the best. If it is a sunny day, I aim to sit in my camouflage clothes in the yard between noon and 3 pm for the best lighting. My desire is to utilize the free sunshine light to highlight the creatures and plants in my photographs. I do not utilize software to brighten or sharpen my photos – thus my website and company name of “untouched”. The positioning of the sunlight to optimize the photograph is key. Shooting quickly and frequently is important to get a good picture. I love to do rapid fire shooting of my camera to increase the chances of getting that perfect picture. Photographing Hummingbirds is tricky as they move very fast, are unpredictable, and can fly in any direction. More than half the pictures I take of them are not usable as they are out of focus or they are out of the frame.

This hummingbird looks pretty classy with the curved left wing shooting to the side and up. It is also interesting how the wing is positioned to the back side position. He is coordinated to control the wings in 2 different positions. I could not be as coordinated to have my arms going in different directions.

Being a photographer makes me a little obsessive about lighting, not just for my photography, but for everything. I want our home to be well lighted for my 100 year old mother-in-law who is our light police. If she sees the light on in an empty room, she will command to turn off that light. I installed motion lights in our interior stairs and entry into our home. Our hallways also have motion lights. I have nightlights in our bathrooms. I make sure the lightbulbs are energy efficient. Having the proper lighting is important. My wife would walk around in the dark previous to our marriage. Now she is happy with all the bright lights. I can even turn on a light from my cellphone.

Let’s utilize bright natural light in our photography and keep the lights on at home!

Photographs remind us to keep the lights bright!

 

Camouflage Hummingbird Rare Sighting in my yard

14 Sunday Mar 2021

Posted by in Anna's Hummingbird, Back Yard Garden, Backyard Garden, bird, birds, Canon, Cuphea Vermillionaire, Garden, Home Garden, Hummingbird, Sloat Garden Center

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I photographed this Hummingbird last week as this was the only time he came in the yard. He flew in for a few seconds and hid behind the plants and flew out quickly. They are easily spooked by loud noises and or quick movements. This is why I try to be as quiet and still as possible. The problems with living in San Francisco, is the amount of noise in the neighborhood. It is not conducive to photograph Hummingbirds or other birds that are easily spooked.

This hummingbird is peeking thru the flowers in my yard. You can see his eye look out at me in the midst of the leaves and blossoms. It blends pretty well with the greenery. It is amazing how these creatures blend in with the scenery.

I miss seeing these hummingbirds in my yard. I am trying to figure out why they are missing. I am guessing it is too noisy lately, and they are not comfortable flying in to visit. Discouragement is not a good feeling. It causes confusion in pursuing goals. Wondering if my plans will be futile is my fear.

I was reminded life is constant change. This Pandemic life reminds me how events keep changing. So whatever is keeping the hummingbirds away will hopefully change. I am praying they will return and come out of hiding.

I can identify with this bird wanting to be hidden. I do love camouflage clothing. I wear camouflage hoping to welcome the hummingbirds into my garden. I want to blend in with the birds and do not want to scare them off. Being a good host means thinking about pleasing your guests. This has been my goal to provide sweet flowers for the hummingbirds. Recently the local news has publicized the need to be careful of bird feeders. They are getting dirty and causing harm to the birds.

SFGate Article about Dying Songbirds

I hope this is not the reason why I have not seen many hummingbirds in my garden.

Especially in our current world where Asians are being attacked, I want to be hidden in camouflage. I would fight back if I am attacked again. But I don’t want to fight or be attacked. I would prefer to be hidden and invisible.

Stay tuned to see when the hummingbirds will return to my garden.

Photos teach us hiding can be good to feel safe!

 

 

 

Look before Leaping!

03 Wednesday Mar 2021

Posted by in Back Yard Garden, Backyard Garden, bird, birds, Canon, Dark-eyed Junco, Garden

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Having a backyard refuge has been great for me to practice with my new camera lenses. With new equipment and technology, I am learning the different features and how to improve my photography. It’s pretty amazing how much camera equipment has improved and changed compared to when I initially was in college developing my photographs in a dark room.

This Dark-eyed Junco bird is pretty interesting in this series of positions. Initially, he looks content on top. Then he takes a peak downward. He moves towards being further downward. Finally, he leaps out and downward from the fence to his destination. He looks like he surveyed out his route as he looked outward at his prospective route. As he leaps out, he initially did not spread his wings, but he had to get his wings going to fly.

Taking a leap is a hard to do. It requires faith, strength and courage. Notice this bird does peer over before taking the leap. An important lesson before leaping into a new venture is to preview the scenarios which could result after taking a plunge. In the 2 pictures, the bird takes a couple of positions leaning forward to look before actually leaping. So trying to browse, imagine and plan are great steps for preparation. Unfortunately, Murphy’s Law is pretty inevitable with something unexpected happening. But that is just how life works. Did any of us ever expect to be sheltering in place during a pandemic? We are learning how to roll with life changes.

Exploring my photography groove in my backyard was something I planned but never thought would be a reality. There are obstacles which are interrupting my quiet refuge. For example, I was wondering if a cat visitor was scaring away the hummingbirds.  So I was wondering what may be scaring the hummingbirds. It could be noises from construction, sirens from first responders, loud passing vehicles, aircraft flying overhead, or other normal city sounds in our neighborhood that could be keeping my bird friends away. I am just learning to roll with these changes and adjust things in the backyard to see if the birds will return more often.

I’ve learned that I needed a little push from my wife and others in my life to start this journey. I also ponder to plan my next move in my strategy to improve my photography. I do not regret taking leaps into the unknown. It is scary, and I still do not know where I will land or what my accomplishments will be. But I will never know the outcome unless I pursue the jumps.

My photographs constantly encourage and provide lessons to me about life. I hope they will also give my small audience ideas and hope about upcoming journeys.

Photos help us take leaps!

Ruffled & True Colors

28 Sunday Feb 2021

Posted by in Back Yard Garden, Backyard Garden, birds, Canon, Garden, Home Garden, Hummingbird

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The Hummingbirds have rarely been coming into our yard to drink the nectar of the Cuphea Vermillionaire flowers the past two weeks. They used to come every 20 minutes or so during the late morning and early afternoon. I have only seen them come in for a very quick visit and they appear skittish and fly away quickly.

I took these pictures of the Hummingbird up in a neighbor’s tree. I used a powerful zoom lens since he was far away. This bird’s ruffled feather reminds how many may look with sheltering in place. Our hair can be messy and tousled. We attend church via the internet, and no one has to see how we look. We do not need to dress up to go anywhere. We are comfortable in our sweats at home.

Do we feel like our feathers are ruffled? With all the recent Asian Assaults occurring, it is alarming and fearful. Not only do we have to watch our surroundings as we walk outside, but there are also home invasions while occupants are present. I usually am not as sensitive to outside noises. But more recently, normal outside noises are irritating. Individuals in my circle were sick with COVID-19. Fortunately, they recovered. Whenever we have big family gatherings again, there will be a couple of empty chairs of relatives who are now gone. These pandemic times are unnerving. So I feel like this bird.

What is amazing about this bird is the colors? Depending on how the bird bends his head and the reflecting light, the bright fuchsia shines on the top.  Even with the ruffled feathers, the emerald shimmering green body is beautiful. It is interesting how one moment the bird’s head looks black. Then when he points his beak up, he shows his true colors on his head and neck!

I need to learn from this bird. I need to look up where my help comes from the Lord. The light shows the pretty colors on the bird with the reflections. The Light reflection can also bring beauty and peace to each of us in the midst of a pandemic.

Can we reflect true colors even though we may be battling ruffled feelings?

Photos Reflect True Colors!

Bird Salute!

19 Friday Feb 2021

Posted by in Anna's Hummingbird, Back Yard Garden, Backyard Garden, birds, Canon, Cuphea Vermillionaire, Garden, Home Garden, Hummingbird, Sloat Garden Center

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These hummingbirds never cease to amaze me with their different movements. As I sit in my backyard trying to catch hummingbirds in action, I never know what I will observe. So I was fortunate to catch the this beauty from the back with his wing curved forward looking like a salute. These hummingbirds are so quick and fast. I have been adjusting my camera equipment and technique to capture their movements.

This hummingbird is probably just moving quickly towards its next snack and meal. They need a lot of energy due to their constant and rapid flying. Usually the hummingbirds visit my yard solo. Perhaps it is the mentality of needing food with no time for socialization. This photo reminds me of a painting with the soft surrounding around the bird. It resembles the soft brush strokes of a painting. This photo would look pretty awesome printed as a canvas.

Ironically, this hummingbird is saluting no one. It reminds me how we are more isolated due to this pandemic. A salute is a gesture to display respect particularly in the military. Whether we are in the military or not, this attitude of a salute is desperately needed today. Lately in our area, random acts of violence have occurred attacking Asians. It is quite alarming. What happened to respect for all peoples? We may not look alike or agree on everything. But we should agree all people deserve to be treated with respect.

Can we remember this hummingbird’s salute and show respect with a smile to someone we do not know? Smile as a salute to help someone else smile.

Photos remind us to salute!

Calm Hummingbird Wing Stretch

18 Thursday Feb 2021

Posted by in Anna's Hummingbird, Back Yard Garden, Backyard Garden, birds, Canon, Cuphea Vermillionaire, Garden, Home Garden, Hummingbird, Sloat Garden Center

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This hummingbird has its body a little downward with his wings flung back as if he was stretching. He probably is just getting into a good position as he approaches the flowers for nectar. 

See if this hummingbird’s pose looks similar to the “2. Chest Stretch” from this link to lifehack.org

Stretching may be uncomfortable in the beginning, but it can help to relax and improve our flexibility. I help my wife relax with shoulder massages, which does the trick to get her to fall asleep quickly. 

During these pandemic times, it is helpful to find out what will help us to de-stress and relax. My wife discovered this celebrity trainer for Pilates on YouTube to relax. Activity helps us to release our stress. I look at my Fitbit to walk my quota of steps every hour. I do not go out to walk but just walk all over my home. Find an activity to get the blood flowing. This trainer has a lot of videos. She gives clear instructions, and my wife enjoys a challenging workout. No one needs to feel intimidated trying these workout especially if you try it alone. Plus it is FREE, and just requires 30 to 40 minutes to improve one’s mood. This is my wife’s recommendation, and it works for her.

Kit Rich Celebrity Trainer on YouTube

Having a calming garden and photographing the hummingbirds, bees and butterflies helps me to let go of worries with all the recent stress in life. Last week was pretty stressful with quite a few unfortunate events. My calm is achieved by getting out in the yard and sitting still. Waiting for the hummingbird friends to arrive which renews my soul. Sometimes they come and sometimes I miss them. But this activity is a highlight of my day.

Create your calm space to do whatever activities you enjoy to do to relax. Whether it is doing puzzles, reading, watching movies, embroidery or just praying, create a space to feel calm and peace. Make it space with plants, flowers, pictures and calming colors. Or work on your backyard as I am to create an outdoor space to create calmness in life. Having a refuge place to fling your arms back to stretch out the kinks in your neck and shoulders is the best. Create Calm in life!

These hummingbirds are the best to remind me what is important in life.

Photos can create Calm!

 

Moving Forward

15 Monday Feb 2021

Posted by in Anna's Hummingbird, Back Yard Garden, Backyard Garden, birds, Canon, Cuphea Vermillionaire, Garden, Home Garden, Hummingbird, Sloat Garden Center

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This hummingbird has an interesting curved wing in the back. I am constantly amazed as I see the different ways the hummingbirds position their wings. This bird looks like his chest is out, and he is proud to move forward. He looks confident and ready to tackle all the sweetness in these flowers.

Being like this confident bird is a challenge. Confidence does not come easy to me. Seeing the hurdles and obstacles instead of the opportunities in challenges can be the downfall for all of us. Learning how to jump higher to get over the hurdles is hard to do.

My first photography art show, which was many years after my college photo show, was a terrifying event. My wife happened to see an ad for a local coffee shop who was looking for artists to display their work. We planned an opening event and invited a crowd. Surprisingly, everything fell into place. I had forgotten about a lot of old photos I took about 25 years ago. I decided to choose those old photos and make them digital. I determine how the images would be displayed and planned out the descriptions to explain my work. I was pleasantly pleased with my work knowing my collection of photographs are unique and represent a special period of my photographic journey. The initial hurdles no longer seemed as high, and I realized I could jump over them.

There was a great support crowd who attended this event to cheer me on. It was a humbling and a great learning experience. I am grateful for the support I received from family, relatives and friends to give me the confidence to move forward.

Do you lack confidence to show the world who you are? I was fortunate to listen to individuals in my life who encouraged me to show who I am as a photographer. Confidence is like a building. We need a strong foundation to provide support to build and hopefully not topple over.

Photos remind us to move forward with confidence!

Dropping it!

01 Monday Feb 2021

Posted by in Back Yard Garden, Backyard Garden, birds, Canon, Garden, Home Garden, House Finch

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This red bird was chomping on some tree branch buds last month in our neighbor’s yard. I am speculating that it is a House Finch. This bird has come by a couple of times so far in the past two months. This bird was hungry as it was trying to put a lot of buds in its mouth, but put too much in and lost some of his precious food. Some of his food fell down the tree.

My wife has a tendency to drop things. She is rushing doing things and in her haste, she drops things. I hope I do not pick up her dropping habit. When we go to Costco, I usually go to visit the restroom before leaving. I previously would give her the Costco receipt before I go. I stopped giving it to her, because she kept dropping the receipt. She would get distracted and forget she was holding the receipt. Subsequently, I stopped giving the receipt to her. So birds are not the only creatures who drop things.

Recently, I learned 4 people I know caught COVID-19. It may be possible one person caught it while getting vaccinated in a crowded area.  I was thinking this discovery was a bad dream. It was a little surreal facing this reality. Fortunately, one of the persons who was in the hospital is now released and hopefully will continue to improve.

In a chat with friends about these events, one text mentioned how life is short, and we do not need as much as we think we do. This pandemic has taught us to downsize. My wife does not need all the clothes in the closet since we stay home. Even when we do return to a new normal life outside the house, she realizes she does not need so many clothes. What things in our life are necessities that we must have or are nice to have? Have we learned what really is not as important in our life which we once deemed as a priority? Can we cast aside the things in our life which may be weighing us down? If we drop unnecessary things, will we be lighter in our worries, stresses and cares?

We are learning we could drop certain material things, services and activities to simplify life. Prioritize to make time for people and drop things which really are not that important. 

Is there something you could drop in your life to make room for important people? So it is ok to be a little clumsy and drop the unimportant things in life. Can we simplify our life and drop things which really are not that important? 

Photos remind us to “drop it”!

 

Who is this Bird in my Yard?

03 Sunday Jan 2021

Posted by in Back Yard Garden, Backyard Garden, birds, Black Bird

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I shot this photograph of this bird in my yard in December 2020. He was resting on our fence and enjoying the view. It was only during this year that I started watching birds in my backyard. I mostly see the hummingbirds feasting on the nectar from the flowers.

Even though this bird does not have the bright colors as the hummingbirds, this bird is dark and handsome! I tried to identify this bird, but so far I did not find a picture to identify him yet.

We all hope 2021 will be better than 2020. There were many disappointments due to this past pandemic year. We will wait to see how the vaccines will work, and we will hope to be free to go out and see people again.

What goals and plans are possible and realistic for 2021? I am cautiously optimistic about this new year.

A realistic goal for me is to learn more about birds. The hummingbirds come up close to me and buzz me as I sit in the backyard waiting for their visits. As I examine and observe my pictures, the details of the birds amaze me.

Does anyone recognize this bird? I would appreciate anyone leaving a comment to this post to inform me of this bird’s name. This bird is living near the beach in the San Francisco Bay Area.

Knowing someone’s names is important. Identification is the first step in getting to know someone. Do we forget people’s names after meeting someone new? 2020 was a year when we may not have met too many new people, since we spent a bulk of time at home. Meeting someone virtually is different than actually facing a person.

Will we remember how to interact with new people when we are let out free into the world? What will that day be like when we can walk around without a mask?

When the day comes and we can go out without a mask, let’s look forward to meeting new people and remembering their name is the first step to know them.

Can you identify this bird? Identification is always important. Thank you if you can tell me who is this bird.

Photos identify!

Townsend’s Warbler Enjoying some Sun in our Backyard

24 Thursday Dec 2020

Posted by in birds, Townsend's Warbler

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Watching birds has become my new passion during 2020. This bright yellow Townsend’s Warbler occasionally visits my backyard. When he lifts up his wings high enough, the 4 black stripes are more pronounced. He is hiding his stripes under his wings. Initially I noticed the bright yellow chest underside of this bird.

As I was watching the bird getting ready to launch and fly, he revealed his stripes underneath his wings.

When he was perched on our fence, he has a fluffy and round shape. But when he is leaving and flying, his body stretches out long to show a thinner shape as he takes off. I wish I could look that lean by changing my positioning.

It is also interesting how he has the black mask look around his eyes. He does not need any black eyeliner to make his eyes more pronounced. He is fortunate that his black shading around his eyes gives him the super hero mask appearance. This is a pretty cool built-in look!

This year our Christmas will not be spent with our usual large group of family and relatives. Our Christmas will consist of 3 of us at home. We will cook Christmas dinner and drop off food to my parents. But unfortunately we will not be able to interact with family and relatives.

Holiday parties and interaction is great. But do we tend to participate in small talk especially when the party is with a large group? When it is a large party, we usually do not practice a lot of intimate conversation, just because it is hard to do in a crowd. We may not share any problems or issues during our holiday celebrations, since it may not be appropriate.

When I saw this bird reveal its hidden black stripes under the wings, what are we hiding underneath? Maybe our burden would be lighter if we shared it with someone.

If we lift up our arms and let go of a worry or a problem, we could feel lighter. Anxiety over our problems will not make them go away. Working on a plan to possibly resolve a problem could be the answer. Allowing a friend to support us in our problems could relieve anxiety. How about trusting God to solve our impossible situation?

Let’s lift up our arms and show our hidden black stripes. Can we fly higher seeking help to resolve our black stripes?

Photos Teach!