I've always loved taking pictures of birds but most of my bird photos are taken from a distance...usually birds flying in the sky, birds sitting in trees and my all-time favorite, birds on wires.  Well, I'm in need of a new challenge so my latest thing on my "shooting-to-do-list" is to get some good pictures of birds up-close.  To start my new venture, I bought a couple bird feeders last week and have them set up in our backyard.  I already have the cutest birds visiting me every day gobbling up the yummy seed mix I'm putting out for them.  (yay!)  I've been seeing Chickadees, Tufted Tiftmouses, Finches, Juncos, a Red-Headed Woodpecker, and my favorite...Cardinals. 

It's so much fun to watch the birds swoop down to my feeder from our trees each day to grab some seed.  The NOT so fun part has been watching the squirrels jump on my feeder and eat my seed!  (those dummies)  I don't mind if they eat it on the ground below but I only want the cute birdies on my feeder.  The squirrels have been climbing right up the pole that I hang my feeders from and munch away.  :(  To solve this problem, I ordered a new squirrel-proof pole online the other day that apparently will prevent the squirrels from climbing the pole.  I'm (impatiently) waiting for it to arrive at my door so I can set it up. 

This photo above is my first attempt of a bird on one of my feeders.  This little guy is a Chickadee, aren't they cute?  I took this with my awesome 70-200 mm lens.  (my new "go-to" lens)  The bird feeder is in our yard about 10 feet from our sliding back door.  I put the feeder there so I can hide in the kitchen with my camera and take pics while the door is cracked open.  I was zoomed all the way in for this shot and still didn't get as close as I wanted to.  My goal is to get more detailed shots of their faces.  When my new pole arrives, I'm going to move the feeders even closer to the house in hopes to get tighter shots of my new feathered friends.  I'm having so much fun!  I feel like I have a new form of entertainment at home while I'm working.  :)

Carolyn

Are you ready for Winter?  I'm not!  I've never been a big fan of freezing cold weather.  I feel like I'm cold from November all the way until April.  Thanks to a bunch of cozy socks, a lot of hot chocolate and a bunch of clothing layers I somehow make it through.  :)  Depsite the chill in the air, winter does bring some really beautiful photo opportunities.  I absolutely LOVE the look of bare branches on trees, especially if there's snow on them like in this picture above...there's something so peaceful about it.  I'm sure you're wondering if this picture is from this year already.  Nope!  It's from my archives.  I braced the cold one day with my camera after a snow storm.  :)

Prints & canvases of this snowy print available on my shop... "Winter Solitude"

Carolyn

When I first started editing photos on the computer, I loved creating dark, moody images like this one.  For the past couple years though every new photo I create seems to get lighter and lighter in color.  I love making light, pretty images but I'm really missing these darker looking photos.  I just LOVE the mesmerizing moods that deep tones seem to bring to an image. So, I've decided I'm on a new mission...to create more dark prints!

This photo above is from this past spring.  Tulips are one of my favorite flowers.  Aren't these pretty?  I shot them at their peak.

Have an awesome weekend!

Carolyn  :)

This tulip print is available on my shop here.... "Tulip Photograph - Mesmerize"

I can't believe 2013 is almost here...I don't know about you but this year has FLOWN by for me.  To get ready for the new year, I've created my biggest selection ever of 2013 calendars featuring my fine art photography for all of my wonderful fans and customers.  (that's you!)  Over the past year, my Etsy shop has grown so much, I figured my selection of calendars should grow as well!  I'm offering four different 5x7 loose leaf photo calendars and three 8 1/2 x 11 wall calendars. 

My 5x7 calendars are available in the following themes... Beach & Ocean Photos, Pretty Floral & Nature Photos, Colorful Flower Photos or my cute Bird Photography including my popular bird on wire prints. My wall calendars are available in the following themes... Beach & Ocean Photos, Pretty Floral & Nature Photos and Colorful Flower Photos.  I'm so excited to offer you such a wide variety this time around.  If you have any questions, just let me know... I'm here to help! 

On another note, happy election day!  I hope you're all able to get out and "Rock the Vote" today.  ha.  My husband and I woke up early today to vote together...we then celebrated by going out for a nice big breakfast.  I'm feeling a bit wired from a big cup of coffee, I've got the news on and will be watching all day as I work on the computer to see what happens.  It's definitely interesting since the race is so close!

Carolyn  :)

This "new" picture is actually from last Fall.  My mom and I visited a local road stand in the rural town I grew up in so I could take pictures of these beautiful pumpkins.  Don't you just love this season?  My little nephews have their halloween costumes and have been in them twice already.  :)  Ryan who is 3, HAD to be Thomas the Train...he's SO cute.  Josh, who is 5, insisited on being a power ranger despite my sister's dislike of that cartoon.  lol.  I can't wait to walk around with them on Halloween to enjoy all the fun.

More Fall pictures to come, I have to take a break from the business side of work and get out for some new Autumn photos.

Until next time,

Carolyn  :)