North Rim Grand Canyon

Carol Freshley June 18, 2015

Wondering what to do this weekend to get out of the heat? How about heading to the North Rim? Dave and Karen spent a few days there last weekend and just sent some photos that make me want to go back. These images are not just about the big ditch! Oh no!! So much more. Enjoy.

These wonderful shared photos remind me that you can go to a site many times and still find great photo opportunities. And . . . they got out of the heat!! Thanks to both of them.

A Walkabout

Carol Freshley June 7, 2015

As I drove the last several hundred yards to mom's I noticed the abundance of flowers along the street and ease ways. This morning I talked Steve in going for a walk with me in our neighborhood. Goal, take a visual inventory of plants, interesting items, and have fun!! We were out about an hour and a half. This is what we saw!

We covered two blocks. Below you can see one street, a favorite one of mine as it overlooks my beloved Albuquerque. Below that, a new street in our 'hood' where, off to the right you would spot our cactus plants.

Perhaps you too could go out on a walkabout! We could have stayed out even longer, but . . . I was thirsty! Steve took three cameras and shot with all three of them. I took only my Df and my manual Micro Nikkor 55mm f/1.8 lens. We had a lot of fun and the weather was perfect.

Banding Birds

Carol Freshley June 3, 2015

I remember clearly the first time, as a photographer, I spotted a band on a bird. It was at Rocky Mountain National Park. Out in the middle of seemingly 'nowhere' was a beatiful black and white bird with a band on its leg. I wondered, "how does that happen?" When a group of four photographers, all friends, offered to share their photos of a bird banding activity at the Hassayampa River Preserve, I jumped at the chance to share them with you. I could not attend but have asked for explanations of what was going on.

This is a fledging verdin who, hopefully, will be caught and studied over its lifetime.  Some birds at the Preserve are known to be at least six years old. — This is a fledging verdin who, hopefully, will be caught and studied over its lifetime. Some birds at the Preserve are known to be at least six years old.

Birds flying into the net are tangled up just enough to stop their flight but not hurt them.

The trapped birds are carefully removed by trained volunteers and place into bags to be transported to a table where they are examined and, if not already banded, they are banded.

These are two ways the birds can be held to control them, but not hurt them.  Surely there is some stress to them, but the whole process is quick and gentle. — These are two ways the birds can be held to control them, but not hurt them. Surely there is some stress to them, but the whole process is quick and gentle.

The small bands come in various sizes.  Here shown on a wire loop much like a big safety pin — The small bands come in various sizes. Here shown on a wire loop much like a big safety pin

If the bird is already banded its information is recorded.  This data provides some insight into the bird population of the area. — If the bird is already banded its information is recorded. This data provides some insight into the bird population of the area.

Measurements of the wing span are taken.

Birds that are tending a nest develop a brood patch of missing feathers.  A volunteer blows a puff of air to spread the bird's feathers to reveal if there is a brood patch. — Birds that are tending a nest develop a brood patch of missing feathers. A volunteer blows a puff of air to spread the bird's feathers to reveal if there is a brood patch.

Birds are carefully placed, head down, into a small container and then weighed.

A mug shot of each bird is taken before they are released.

Some birds become quite calm following their evaluation and may spend several seconds in the palm of a hand.

"Would you like some feedback on my experience?"

If a bird is placed on its back it will sit quietly.  To release it is gently turned over onto the other hand.  After just second it will fly away. — If a bird is placed on its back it will sit quietly. To release it is gently turned over onto the other hand. After just second it will fly away.

Banding occurs throughout the summer at the Hassayampa River Preserve. Photographers are welcome to watch. Their schedule is posted on their Facebook site.