Unusual Model

This little fellow was a great model for me for quite a long time.  I was able to get several shots from different angles and distances before he finally decided he'd had enough and flew off.  This was my favorite shot.

Killdeer

It's a good thing I've learned to take my camera with me everywhere. Lots of times I'll find I've hauled it around all day for no reason. But then I'll find a shot in the most random of places-- like this killdeer in the parking lot of the Jumparound Fun Zone, where I was taking the kids for some bouncy-house fun.

House Sparrow

This house sparrow perches on a post at Hovander Park, taking advantage of the handfuls of corn thrown by children for the farmyard animals.

The house sparrow was introduced to North America in 1851 in Brooklyn, New York. It's unrelated to native sparrows, and is the most widespread wild bird in the world, having been introduced, on purpose or by accident, to most parts of the planet. Although it is only found near houses and buildings (hence its name), and some people view them more as pests than wildlife, I enjoy them because they're so friendly.

One from Palm Springs

Since I have a dearth of Bellingham photos and I have SUCH a lovely one from Palm Springs, I thought it would be okay to post just this one from my trip to California. This friendly little guy wasn't shy at all and let me snap several pics of him before he flitted away.

I need to get out and get some good Bellingham pictures! The weather (not to mention my busy schedule) has not been conducive to photography lately and my local pics are running low. If any of you 'Hamsters have good ideas for indoor shots, I'd love to hear them. Anything you guys want to see that I haven't covered yet?

Birdsong Changes with the Landscape

I don't know where I'm going,
but I fling myself there.
Feet crusted and dirty,
my body so tired
if I stand still I will melt
softly into the dead grass.
I'm terrified of transition--
but the glistening teeth
of the stagnant beast
slice lazily at listless feet.
Faced with the impossible task
of standing still
I bare my fragile heart
and fly.

This is my entry for One Shot Wednesday. Click here to see others.

See? Gull.

I took this picture back in June, and then forgot about it again. Now I'm going through all the pictures of the summer, trying to post the forgotten ones before it's too late, and summer is too far gone. I saw a bunch of these gulls one day at Boulevard Park, and have never seen them before or since. I did an exhaustive web search (about five minutes :-)) to try to discover what type of gull it is, but I couldn't figure it out. Usually we just have herring gulls or western gulls, so this type really stood out with its striking black head stripe and orange beak. Anybody know what it is?

Also, I just discovered this "Bellingham State of Mind" video on youtube that I've got to share! It's a riff on "Empire State of Mind," and very cute. Doesn't it make you want to come visit us in Bellingham?

Hairy Woodpecker

This hairy woodpecker joined us for brunch on Mother's Day at my aunt's house. Hmmm, I think our meal was a little tastier. Does anyone know why they were named "hairy" woodpeckers? He doesn't seem any hairier than the average bird...