Turkey Time!

So yesterday morning, I was in the kitchen getting Josephine a cup of milk when I glanced out the back window to find these three (what seemed to be dinosaurs at the time!) pecking at seed in the stump! We always put seed out for the birds and squirrels and these 2 toms and 1 hen showed up for a taste too. I snapped 2 shots through the glass but as soon as I tried to slide it open they got spooked and took off. I was impressed by how well they flew... the two toms were long gone right away but the hen stopped on a nearby branch for a moment before flying off.

I had never photographed through glass before (although I do remember Brad telling me this is how he does it in his yard.) Had I known how well the images would turn out even through the glass I never would have attempted to open it in the first place! Another lesson learned but really neat to see them so close. More whitetail deer tomorrow, unless something else unusual comes a knockin'!

Tons of turkeys... and a deer too

An early wake-up and 12 degree temperatures set the tone for a somewhat uneventful morning at Boyce. I set out in search of the young deer I have been so lovingly calling "Fuzzy" lately due to his extra soft appearance. Unfortunately Fuzzy did not come to meet me as he has in my past few visits. I did get to see about 6 doe and 1 youngster (pictured above) but for whatever reason, none of my photographs turned out very well.

I have to admit that my frustration is mounting... distorted images are beginning to haunt me! I will continue working with what I have and trying to dissect my technique to figure out what the heck I am doing wrong, but at the end of the day my inexperience coupled with low-quality equipment seems to be a recipe for disappointment. In the meantime, I will keep saving up my change while admiring the work of some of my favorite nature photographers/videographers and learn as much as I can from them!

Early morning

So I decided to leave an hour early for school this morning to make a pit stop to photograph the deer at our special spot. When I arrived, they were not all out in the field like usual so I began walking back into the wooded area and whitetail deer were everywhere! They were jumping and running, moving far too fast to get any decent shots but a lot of fun to watch. A nice sized buck gave me a great opportunity to capture him but my inexperience coupled with my new "no auto" rule caused me to miss it. I was able to get a few, though not great of other whitetails and even caught a doe hanging out with a turkey!

I know my husband would have loved being there with me this morning but he was home with the babies. I hope he can get out there himself this week to enjoy some "nature therapy" because the rut is such an exciting time of year!

Here's lookin' at you!

We love our backyard!