Bird Photos: One of my favorite things

I received a really nice email yesterday, from BirdNote, asking permission for further use of a photo that I had given them a long, long time ago. A photo that I'd almost forgotten I'd taken and sadly I believe I've lost somewhere along the way. [Actually, this is a great opportunity to speak out against relying on hard drives or CDs to keep your images safe. They fail. Use cloud based storage and professionally printed archival prints to keep your images safe]




The story behind the photo is that robins had nested in our front yard, and we had a fairly good view of the nest from our porch. But to get this particular image required me standing on a ladder, close enough to the tree to see into the nest but not so close as to annoy the parents. Isn't it adorable!

As well, Birdnote asked if I could provide them with a profile, to add to their list of contributors. That gave me the push I needed to create a collection of my favorite Alberta bird photos to date. The birds, bugs and animal visitors to our yard are my favorite (and constant) photo subjects but my organization of those photos is lacking. I've now got a gallery for favorite bird photos. I hope you enjoy them!


     

Tuesday Travelogue: Maui's East Side

Since winter has decided to stick around, I've decided to be distracted by a  few more views of marvelous Maui, beginning at Paia and traveling south.

Paia is the 'starting point' of the road to Hana, but we manage to do more than just stop here for road snacks. There are several nice boutiques and restaurants and it's pretty easy to while away several hours here. I mean, why rush? On our last visit we'd had a tip to eat at the Maui Flatbread Company, and were treated to some amazing thunderheads forming over the Iao Valley and the northern tip of the island.

Paia Bay from Lower Paia Park

On our 2011 trip, we started down the Road to Hana once again; we've started that trip previously, but the winding road had always gotten the best of our young children. Success at last!

Nua'ailua Bay

We stopped at both a Banana Bread and an Ice Cream (don't blink or you'll miss them!) stand on our way to  Wai'anapapa State Park, gorgeous views, black sand, and cave swimming.

The girl at the ice cream stand had advised us that it was perfectly fine to travel back to west Maui via the Piilani Highway (31) to  the Kula Highway, and so after stopping for lunch in Hana proper, we continued on through the most incredibly diverse bunch of ecosystems and spectacular scenery.

Haleakala ranchlands from Kalama Park Road

You can visit my Maui gallery for more great images. Keep watching this space on Tuesdays for more  travelogues!

Photowalk Thursday: Elk Island Park in the fall

Ever  wonder what to do with yourself in or near Edmonton? Edmonton offers lots of great festivals, interesting shopping, good dining and a picturesque river valley to explore and photograph. I'll take you on some of my favorite photo walks, season by season, within Edmonton or a couple hour drive thereof.

Elk Island National Park is one of my favorite places to spend a day with my hubby and my camera. It takes us less than 45 minutes from our home in the southwest corner of the city to reach the park, via the Anthony Henday. We head that direction every couple of months and always have a great walk along one of the many hiking trails. Spotting bison is almost a certainty, but finding other large mammals a little more difficult.

Last October we walked the Beaver Pond Trail, #7 on the map, in the late afternoon.

The trees had already lost their leaves, but there were plenty of great fall colors in the grasses around the ponds.

While driving through the park it's important to be on the lookout for wildlife, and to share the road with them. Bison (elk, deer, moose, coyotes) roam freely through the park. (Photo taken from within the car, with a telephoto lens. Bison shouldn't be approached.)

Astotin Lake is in the center of the park, and one of many great places for picnics. It's also a fantastic place for sunset photos.

We always have a great day at Elk Island exploring the paths season by season. What are you waiting for? Get in your car and drive!

These, and other great photos of Elk Island Park can be purchased from my store, www.windermerestudios.ca