I usually am all over the map when it comes to the photography subjects I share. I just decided to entitle this post as it really is, all over the map.

Let us begin today with bird portraits. The kind of image that helps people identify a species, and really get the feel for what they look like.

The Double Crested Cormorant.

A portrait does not have to be static. The small amount of action here, such as the open mouth and the leg lifted up, do not detract from just what kind of bird this is.

Red-tailed Hawk

Black Tern

A portrait can be a full body shot, a basic close-up, or a head shot. I would put this male Cardinal in the middle category.

I honestly do not know what this is. It almost looks like a female Yellow Warbler but the size appears too large.

This shot is a good example of how you cannot use portraits to ID birds unless you actually can’t find that bird in your books, and label it as such.

This Black-crowned Night Heron image shows that ID pictures can also be behavioral. Not just because it is in the water, but because it has a fish in its mouth. One of the most rewarding times in close-up bird photography, is when the bird you are identifying is also displaying behavior. The light here is perfect to cast detail on the birds face.

There is nothing more joyous than locating and photographing not just a new species for the files, but a bird that you have never before seen in person.

The Crested Caracara you see below was photographed at the Texas Gulf.

ID shots can be just as pretty and delicate as other images.

Canada Goose gosling preening.

Getting a bonus is always nice. Female Mallard with duckling.

Action images are always in demand. Even from the rear. This is an Osprey.

Behavior such as a Barn Swallow feeding some young ones is always sought after.

This Snowy Owl seems to be way up on top of a large sign/ Some of that is caused by the angle at which the image was made.

Why not an entire flock? Swallows

Of course, then their are mammals.

Ma Bison with her half grown calf. This was made I believe in Yellowstone N.P. Always, I repeat always, be careful of a big, tough, fast mother in the wild when her baby, regardless of age is there too.

These Pronghorns, often mistakenly called Antelope, were obviously quite interested in what I was doing. This is a rare wildlife image where I like the fact that it is backlit. This was made in Colorado.

Mammals eat too. This Red Fox has an unfortunate squirrel in its mouth.

Enough about animals for now.

One of the best known and most photographed pieces of older architecture in North America is this old Mormon settlers barn in front of the Grand Teton mountain range. This scene is perfect for a “pano crop”.

Close-ups are waiting for photographers to discover them everywhere. Literally everywhere. If you live in downtown Manhattan, there are macros to discover. If you survive to make the picture.

Dewy leaves are a favorite of mine. The less distracting the background is the better.

Of course every season is a macro season.

Rock and ice.

Moving on we have The Smokey Mts. Of Tennessee at sunrise.

As most of you know, I love photographing sand dunes. Few “pure” dunes parks have much “growth” going on. When you find some as I did in White Sands New Mexico, share what you see and how you feel about.

---

I would like to take a moment to speak about a recent post of mine. I ended what was a photography post with a poster that I copied from my sister’s account on Facebook. It was one that was on Facebook for anyone who wanted to share it. It dealt with Jesus, with the real one on the right and the one that many ministries and churches try to sell their followers on the left.

Whether this is good or bad, the views of that post is well into the thousands. The question of course is, is that visitation happening because people want to hate what is said there? Would they prefer the humanistic Jesus that the snake oil salesman and bad churches are selling?

As many of you know the number of views of my posts has dipped to the point that I do not post as often as I once did. This is certainly a change.

Whether that be good or bad, I want to thank whomever it was that put together that simple but honest statement on who Christ really is.

Proverbs 3:5
Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding.

1st Thessalonians 5:17-18
17 Pray without ceasing

18 In everything give thanks, for this is the Will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you

Sometimes even believers tend to misunderstand the message that God gives us. Me too I am sure. It is solace providing to know that one has all the wisdom that we lack.

May God Bless,
Wayne