Some pics---

[Al Hansen]

A little of everything from the past week to ten days.

An adult rufous female

Things get a little hectic here when the migration begins

Like airplanes stacked at Chicago's O'Hare Field, waiting to land

This is the third year in a row that I have had this little bugger come visit us. She is an adult black-chinned hummer with a ton of white feathers on her. It is amazing she has survived this long.

This is one thing that hummers do well----fly upside down. I was just lucky to have captured this shot.

Went up into the mountains just west of us to photograph wild flowers now that we have received some nice rains.

I had already driven over 14 miles to this sign from the gravel highway and there was another 9 miles to the mountain village. How many of you would be willing to drive a 62 mile round trip for a gallon of milk?

The largest gypsum deposit in the world.

 

[Anthony A]

Staggering... you made my day Al. Thanks

Anthony

 

[Geoff Schroeder]

Your pics never cease to amaze. The level of detail in that first shot, of the rufus female, was amazing! Thanks

 

[bvullo]

Al beautiful photos. What speed setting do you use for your humming birds. I have one pair that started coming around a feeder I put up this year. They are great to watch but as soon as I move the camera they're gone. Going to try and put some sort of blind together. I believe they are Ruby Throated. The white sands look like a huge snow storm, once again great photos.

Bill V

 

[Kathleen Gregory]

WOW! Awesome photos.

 

[Al Hansen]

Anthony,
Thank you so much for the kind remarks. Glad you enjoyed seeing the pics.
Al

 

[Al Hansen]

Geoff,
Glad you liked them. You don't know how much I enjoy the time when hummers are here! It is a 6 month period of time in my life that I thoroughly enjoy. Just think shortly after the hummers leave, our duck season begins! Comes close to an exciting year, every year! Glad you liked the rufous.
Al

 

[Al Hansen]

Bill,
Thanks for the comments you made. I appreciated it. As for the hummers, here is what I have for you on the pics. First of all I had my Canon set on AV with the ISO at 640 and f-stop at f6.3. I had some good early morning sun hitting the hummers by the feeders and the shots were being taken at 1/8000ths of a second. I hope this helps you.
Al

 

[Al Hansen]

Kathleen,
Thanks so much.
Al

 

[Nick Buda]

Thanks for sharing as always Al. The first shot is AWEsome.

 

[Al Hansen]

Nick,
Thank you so much.
Al

 

[Todd Duncan Tennyson]

Al,
Wow, those shots are fantastic.

I set out a feeder like yours this past May and that very evening, a hummer sat there a foot above it on the line I had it strung across.
I called Anya to come and see it and as she stormed to the door, it scared the bird away.

I never saw another on even look at the feeder.
In Mid July I moved it out in front of our house and hung it about 9 feet up (just above our roses).

I've never ever seen one even come by and think about taking a sip.
Maybe they don't like my sugar water?


That big white sheep dog is a Great Pyrenees I think. He sure blends in with the flock.

I ran into a gal the other day with a couple of big dogs that Looked like Newfies to me, they were flecked charcoal colored and nearly grey.

I asked her what they were and she said Great Pyrenees.

I always thought they just came in white.

Guess those ones in the photo have a bit of gray (the one in the background has a lot more).

I meant to ask what site hosts your photos?

I have a flickr acct, but it compresses the photos to the point that they really don't have the sparkle and clarity that I pay them my hard earned $2 for each month.

Keep on doing what you do,
It is wonderful.

 

[Brad Taylor (NC)]

I'm in awe! Awesome pictures Al!

Brad

 

[TimJ]

Al I do not know how a hummer photo can get better then that last one. That is awesome.
The last picture of the road looks like much of SD and MN last January. I'm guessing the temp is a little higher then that.

Tim

 

[Al Hansen]

Thanks so much, Todd. There was one of the Pyrenees that really impressed me. As I drove the truck just opposite the flock when they crossed the road, the large one with the grey head came charging towards me. I think he saw Chili and Pepper in the back. I had their window down, also. Well, the boss of the trio working this flock took charge and literally stopped the first dog from charging and made it go back to the flock and get to business. It was quite an experience for me to witness that.
Here are those the three shots I took of that event. They are not very good shots but will tell a story.

Look at that charging dog's stance and expression on his face. He knows he is wrong! I am going to make some 8x10 prints of this espisode and the next time I go into this area, I will give them to the rancher.

I couldn't resist taking this shot. What a great looking animal this leader is. I was also thinking of the training that the shepherd has put into this one. Time and patience----just like what we do with our duck dogs.

Todd, my photos go to Picasa first. It is there that I will do my cropping, sharpening, or use a bit of contrast. From there I select those shots that I want to store in Photobucket. All I did for picture size was first use 15" because most computer screens were that----including mine. About two weeks ago, I had to bring in my computer to get it fixed and the technician resized it for 17".
Al

 

[Al Hansen]

Brad, I am sure glad that you like them.
Al

 

[Al Hansen]

Thanks, Tim. That was my favorite shot, also. The one thing that I wished that was there but is not, is a good looking background. Oh well!
As for the last shot, we do have fun with the grandkids. A few years ago when Bev's son and family from Appleton, WI, came for a visit we took them to White Sands National Park. The kids couldn't believe that we were taking plastic sleds along. One said, "Grandma, it is 98 F outside so why are we going sledding today?" We had brought with us two of those round plastic disks with handles on the sides. You can see some of the white sand from about 30 miles away. The poor kids were going crazy trying to figure this one out. They finally did when we got there.
Al

 

[Rob K]

Great shots!

 

[Eric Patterson]

Rob

If you are padding your post count with stupid posts just to hit 30 so you can post to the classifieds that is a very dumb move. Consider this your only warning.

 

[Todd Duncan Tennyson]

Al,

I remember back about 12 years ago. I went out to the NE Corner of Oregon. It was by the town of Minam or Wallowa.

It was for the grouse opener (around early Sept). Me and My old wife pulled in to a spot by the stream at the base of some hills and had a sandwich.

I watched am man and his boy & a set of working dogs bring about 100 sheep down from the ridges in into the green fields below to graze.

We watched them for nearly an hour.

It was fascinating to see how by whistles and body language, the dogs got the sheep off of the ledges and overhangs and safely down to the green field.

The Man would whistle, and the dogs would turn and face him.
He'd hold his hand low and the dogs would get on their bellies

He'd Hold his hand high and they'd rise

He'd raise both hands and gesture to the right or left, and they'd haul ass to the rt or left.
It was the best display of dog and man union that I have ever seen.

I love a bird dog. A good lab, or spaniel, or weim etc.

There is something about a working dog that I really admire. Especially an "underdog mutt" that comes out and just works his tail off for some stew and a dry place to bed down at the end of the day.

Pedigree might be important in some circles.

and granted, there are some super pure dogs out there that will darned nearly read a book for you if you want them to.


I love to see a mongrel just nail it though.

God given ability to the man
and to his dog
and the union of the all 3 of them.

It is good.