Thursday, August 9, 2012

Making The Most of It

The Japanese God of storms brings some of the most exciting weather this time of year. But one must respect this God or face possible death.
On a strict budget until my work begins again, I am keeping it close to home. You've been witnessing shots straight out of Tucson that either cost nada or just the price of gas.  I'll admit that this challenge hasn't been the easiest.  I want to keep my writing and photography fresh.  The weather has been an obstacle plus the canyons with all the wonderful hummingbirds have issues with rain and flooding.  They close off and on making it difficult to just get in a car and explore. 
Mourning Doves
The exciting part though for me has been watching the action happen right here in Tucson.  I keep my eye out for Rare Bird alerts or animal sightings.  Monsoon certainly has been a thrill so far and it's nice.  I just don't get to do those incredible hikes like I did in winter.    Essentially it's two hours of play and then back inside. 
Male Yellow Warbler taking a bath
 It's nice at times because you won't find too many people on the trails this time of year except after a rain event or early in the morning.
Black Neck Stilts
 So I bring plenty of water and a large hat to help keep my face protected from the sun.
Bullfrog
And usually find some amazing things like a Yellow Warbler taking a bath in the stream.  More tomorrow....

38 comments:

  1. The Frog is stupendous and the Yellow Warbler taking a bath, I love it.

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    1. You know? This bird is difficult to work with....the Warbler ones:) When you want the shots, they go high up into the trees. And then when you least expect it, they'll pose for you up close. I've just learned to let the Warbler family dictate when they want their photo opts:)

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  2. Upały są chyba nie do zniesienie i podziwiam Cię, że wstajesz wcześnie rano by robić zdjęcia. Gołębie na płocie i żaba świetnie wyglądają. Pozdrawiam.
    The dog days are probably not to abolish, and I admire you that you get up early in the morning to take pictures. Pigeons on the fence and the Frog look great. Yours

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    1. Thank you Giga! You're right about the dog days....we still have to get to October:(

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  3. Monsoons and hot weather, good reasons to stay inside. I love all the birds and photos. The stilts in flight is awesome. And I love the cute frog. I hope the weather gods are nice to you today. Have a good one.

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    1. Today, the sun god plans on creating a heat advisory for our area. While it's not unusual for this time of year, it just means a day full of sun and little hope for rain:(

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  4. Great photos Chris and the one of the Bullfrog is particularly lovely. How long does your monsoon season last? Glad you are still able to get out and about even if its local and only for a short time.

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    1. Hi there!!! Sorry it has taken me so long to respond to your question but work has started again and the blog has to wait until I'm done:) Monsoon will last for us into the month of September. But the best chance for rains happen July and August. I look forward to the cooler temps again.

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  5. Nice mix of subjects today Chris, like that Yellow Warbler ;-)

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    1. Thanks! The Yellow Warbler was an accidentally hit:) I saw him taking a bath in the stream. There weren't any birders around....just me and I think that's how I got these really quiet moments. They are pretty skittish.

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  6. Replies
    1. Can you believe we have bullfrogs here in Tucson??!!! That still blows my mind everytime I see and hear them. We live in such a great place.

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  7. All great photos. I love the bullfrog.

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    1. He seems to be quite popular today:) There was another one near him hiding under the green:)

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    1. We should have a frog society. I didn't know this guy would be so popular:)

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  9. Very nice pictures Chris....good work as usual.

    Greetings, Joop

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  10. love that bullfrog and the line-up of doves. :)

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    1. The doves was hilarious. I don't know what they were doing on the fence as they don't usually hang out there....but I think they may have been a coyote or bobcat around:)

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  11. It's a challenge to take photos close to home. Everything looks so familiar. Too familiar. It's good when we can imagine ourselves as tourists seeing it all for the first time. I think you've done that here.

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    1. Yes it is. It's nice to hear that I'm not the only one. I'm finding that I do a lot of photography here(and there is a lot to see) but it's so common to me that I forget it will be interesting for others. And I will admit that the photography has helped me keep a fresh eye on our area scraping for the details. Thanks for the kind words:)

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  12. It really is amazing what you can find so close to home when you have no other choices hey Chris, the last image of the Yellow Warbler taking a bath is delightful and a brilliant capture.

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    1. Thank you!!! That was a special treat. I have such issues with warblers sometimes. They are either hiding in too much shade or are too far up to get a decent pic. When I hear their voices, I try to track them and then they disappear:) Tricky tricky:)

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  13. You're finding quite a lot of beauty in those morning adventures.

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    1. The ONLY time to get out around here. But last night after the lightning event, it was cool and breezy.....a nice break from the heat:)

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  14. Shots people take around their homes are actually the most interesting for me :) I love the shots of the Stilts against the cloudless sky and the doves all lined up on the chain-link fence - gorgeous!

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    1. Thanks Rosemary. You are absolutely right about the photography. I take too much for granted and am learning to approach Tucson with a better eye for what my readers don't get to see often.

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  15. You are doing a great job, Chris, and I continue to enjoy your photos and posts.

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    1. Thanks Tracy! They are fun to do when I have the opporunity to do so. Weather, money, time are all factors:) But lately so much has been going on around here that I haven't had to go too far:) It's been really fun.

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  16. Beautiful photography! Just thought I'd stop in and say hello. I see you've stopped by my blog as well. Thanks for visiting.

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    1. Thank you so much. Glad you stopped in. I love your blog....and your photography is amazing. I especially fell in love with all of your Snow Owl shots this year. You truly live in an amazing part of the world. I would love to visit Montana down the road. Incredible wildlife!

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  17. Doves on a fence. I wonder what makes them decide to face one way or the other?

    All nice photos as usual. Like that little yellow one taking a bath.

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    1. I have NO clue! But it was so cool. I remember thinking the same thing when I saw them all lined up. I had a nice laugh:) And that warbler shot was an exciting find on the path:)

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  18. You always seem to see something interesting or to say something interesting. You're a good motivator also. Tracy and I got out the other day...and see, I told you we saw elephants. :)

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    1. But do you know that you guys also motivate me to work harder at this and keep going? And I love it. I would miss hearing from you ladies. So thank you!

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  19. whoa - I love that photo of the bullfrog. Interesting to think about different animals coming out of hiding due to weather changes.

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  20. GREAT shots...always!!
    i LOVE the lined up doves...like they're waiting for a bus! ha.
    and the bullfrog...i can hear him...ribbet!! he sure is a colorful one!
    cool shot of the skyward birds...and of course the warbler taking a bath, trying to get under his wings!! have a nice weekend chris!

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Thanks for stopping by!