Monday, September 29, 2008

Migration Progress

While I'm working on illustrations for a book about the whooping crane, the tallest bird in North America, I take nature breaks to check on the migration progress of our smallest bird. I can see the ruby-throated hummingbird migrants from my window as I type and sometimes I step out into the sunshine to sit for a while. The antics of the juveniles give me a chuckle-break, like when they sit on top of the feeder with their backs straight and tall, soldier-like.
Or other times, leaning back taking in everything around them. And when I look at my images, it never ceases to amaze me that their wings beat faster than the shutter speed.
Visitors to the feeder are thinning out each day as the air is getting colder and the leaves turning to fall hues.
But I don't lack company as I observe. My five-lined skink neighbors frequently join me, sometimes more than one of them, in pursuit of another. Tiny ones no bigger around than a pencil and longer, slightly bigger ones.
Humm...where does this one think he's going?
That's my door...

9 comments:

  1. Great attempt to freeze the Ruby-throated Hummingbird while hovering. The wing blur tells how rapid the action of the wings are -quite unbelievable!

    I like the close up of the Skink too.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Thanks. They are amazing little birds with magic wings that beat 40-80 times per second. Seeing them hop up on the feeder like that makes me determined to hang new feeders with perches next spring.

    I enjoy my little skinks, too.

    ReplyDelete
  3. I think it would be too easy to get distracted with those amazing little Hummingbirds just outside. We don't have them here in Australia but I have been lucky enough to see them while in the USA. Great photos and I enjoyed your blog.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Hummingbird in midair is my pick.
    Did that little skink enter your house?

    ReplyDelete
  5. Hi Mick. Thanks for your comments. I didn't realize Australia doesn't have hummers. They are distracting. They can entertain me for hours. Especially knowing they will be gone from this area very soon.

    Thanks, Tabib. I love the hovering photos too. I can't be sure about the skink, but I don't think so. I've seen them hide under the door in the threshold area before and they come scurrying out when I open the door.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Hi Vickie, thanks for posting a comment on my blog - it allowed me in turn to find yours! I love the stories and photos you post. I'm going to add a link from my site so I can continue to follow your wildlife encounters from a different part of the country!

    ReplyDelete
  7. Hi Monika, thanks. I've always loved orcas but have never had the opportunity to see them in the wild. I was delighted to find your blog and see your wonderful photos and the work you're doing.

    ReplyDelete
  8. Lovely... I really enjoyed reading your posts and viewing your photos. Your artwork on your website is beautiful... I will definitely be back to see new posts.

    ReplyDelete
  9. Hi Michele. I just returned from a fun trip to your blog. Loved reading about your adventures and viewing your photos of orcas and other wildlife.

    Thanks for your comments. I love wildlife and creating art just takes me deeper.

    ReplyDelete

Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...

Ocean Trail at Palos Verdes Nature Preserve, California--2015

Ocean Trail at Palos Verdes Nature Preserve, California--2015

Bird-banding at Seven Islands State Birding Park--2014

Bird-banding at Seven Islands State Birding Park--2014
Photo courtesy of Jody Stone

Bird-banding at Seven Islands

Bird-banding at Seven Islands
Photo courtesy of Karen Wilkenson

Enjoying Gray Jays in Churchill!--2014

Enjoying Gray Jays in Churchill!--2014
Photo courtesy of Blue Sky Expeditions

Smithsonian National Zoo with one of my Whooping Crane banners and son, John--2014

Smithsonian National Zoo with one of my Whooping Crane banners and son, John--2014

The Incredible Muir Woods near Stinson Beach, CA--2014

The Incredible Muir Woods near Stinson Beach, CA--2014
Photo courtesy of Wendy Pitts Reeves

Me and Denali--2012

Me and Denali--2012
Photo courtesy of Bob King

For the Love of It...

...the sage sees heaven reflected in Nature as in a mirror, and he pursues this Art, not for the sake of gold or silver, but for the love of the knowledge which it reveals.
Sendivogius (1750)

Your Uncapped Creativity...

Your Uncapped Creativity...
"There is a vitality, a life force, an energy, a quickening that is translated through you into action; and because there is only one of you in all time, this expression is unique. If you block it, it will never exist through any other medium and it will be lost. The world will not have it. You must keep that channel open. It is not for you to determine how good it is, nor how valuable. Nor how it compares with other expressions. It is for you to keep it yours, clearly and directly." ----the great dancer, Martha Graham