Check out my new bird blog!

I was posting so many bird images on my blog, I decided to start another blog to devote just to birds and birding and learning all about birds as well as a place to share my images.

Check it out and don't forget to FOLLOW ME on my new blog! CLICK HERE to go there now.

Autumn Bridge

Fall is here! Pumpkins, leaves and scarecrows have been placed indoors to celebrate the season. As the Scentsy bricks heat and melt, the aroma of pumpkin spice fills the air causing me to dream of freshly baked pie. The fireplace gives off it's warm, romantic glow. Outside, however, it's a much different story. There's a crisp breeze in the air, and the leaves are turning to bright yellows, oranges, and reds. With each gust of wind, more leaves detach from their suspended home and float down to the ground below. Short-term guests arrive in our yard as the birds stop by for water and nutrients they will need for their southward flight before the cold of winter arrives; but they will return.

I so enjoy the fall; and photographing it is always such a peaceful, enjoyable, even worshipful time for me. I am glad God created the season of fall, with all of it's beauty and wonder. I have so many images from the weekend that I want to process and share, but this one will have to do for now. I took this image in Payette, Idaho, this past weekend. I almost got run over by some locals taking this one.

Enjoy the fall colors. If you want to see more of my fall images, CLICK HERE.

What's that sound?

I was recently eating cereal when I heard an unfamiliar shrieking (bird) noise coming from our backyard. When I heard it again, I had to see what it was. I thought the Northern Flicker that was here the day before had returned, but the noise was not that of a woodpecker.

Upon looking out, I didn't see anything and all was quiet. Our yard is usually filled with backyard birds, so I was unsettled as I continued to finish my cereal. I was still bothered by what I heard, so I decided to go look through my bird blind (my upstairs window in our laundry room, now covered with dark material) When I looked out, there was a juvenile sharp-shinned hawk (aka sharpie) finishing its own meal. Upon seeing this, I realized that what I heard was the kill. The small bird it was finishing up, was one of my very own backyard birds. Thought it saddened me, I know its just "nature's way" to quote Steve Irwin.

I took some images from upstairs and then when it flew down to the fence from up on my trellis, I took more of it on the fence as it proceeded to clean his beak by rubbing it on the fence; a behavior I realized I hadn't seen before.

There are probably more images in this sequence than most people care to look at, but I know there are those that will appreciate the sequence. I hope you enjoy looking at the images, whether you view 1 or all of them.

I have more birding and raptor images on my website. If you want to go there, just hover over the slideshow and click on Visit Gallery. From there you can go to my home page. There are birds in my Portfolio and View Only Galleries.

Filming of On My Own

Day 1- Filming began early in the morning at Willow Lane Park, a very nice place to film (except for the creepy crawlies). Osprey and their young could be seen and heard as they nest in the lighting fixtures at the baseball field nearby.

Being a low budget film, these tents served as our changing rooms.

Here's some of the crew; costumes, AD (assistant director), hair

Cast members hanging out.

Bryce, a little bewildered after waking up in the woods.

Filming in progess.

Main characters, Bryce and Adelaide, with Adelaide's servant.

I really like this shot through the trees. :D

My daughter, the director of the film.

John and Bryce.

We finished up filming at Northview Family Worship Center, in the big domed building.

The a/c felt good.

In this scene, the youth group hangs out before going indoors.

The director talks with the actors about the scene.

Day 2 was a hot, fun and unique day for us.

We began our filming at Meridian High School, where we (mostly) homeschoolers pretended to be public schoolers.

I got to play the irritated teacher and that was a blast.

Some of these kids really looked so different from how they normally look and dress.

Matt is so proud of his grade.

The AD, Director and Matt.

Hallway scene. These kids really enjoyed pretending to go to high school.

Here's the Class of 2009ish!

We had kids from Jr. high up to some that were already graduated.

We took a much smaller crew back to Willow Lane Park, in the afternoon, to get a couple scenes on the balcony. It was so hot and humid!

Bryce and Adelaide, on the balcony.