Shining Through

I think this is the first time I have seen a hummingbird picture quite like this one.  This little one (I believe it is a black-chinned hummingbird) was feeding on the Wisteria blossoms hanging from the trellis in our backyard.  The green you see through it's wing is actually part of the Wisteria plant.  My wife has some MAD skills!

We have seen a lot of hummingbirds this year in our neighborhood.  Every time one comes to the feeder hanging from our kitchen window, whoever is nearby will stop and just watch for a while.  They truly are amazing.  They are so small, with their hearts beating at about 1200 beats per minute.  And they flit around our yard with such acrobatic zeal that you cannot help but smile.

- TheScribe

Snake River Birds of Prey Festival

Last year I attended a wonderful event! It's the Snake River Birds of Prey Festival, and it's coming up again! It will be held May 14-16 in Kuna, Idaho. It offers tours, lectures, and children's activities.

The lectures are very interesting and informative. There are falconers on site with live raptors as part of some of the lectures and in the vending hall. You can view them up close and ask questions about them.


I went on one of the tours last year. It was the Burrowing Owl Tour and it was an awesome experience! Below is one of the pictures of the owlets, just over a week old, I took on that tour. Click here to see more of the photos and read about my experience.

This year I plan to attend again, and I hope you will, too! Next year I will probably be a vendor there, but in the meantime, you may purchase my photography as fine art prints, framed or unframed, as well as greeting cards.

Swainson's Hawk (correction-Young Red-Tailed Hawk)

Thought I'd share this image of what I believe I've identified as a Swainson's Hawk. (correction, young red-tailed hawk, thank you Falconry Solutions) Feel free to correct me, those of you who have been birding much longer than I, should I be wrong. This bird was right near the roadside just a couple of miles from our home. Such a pretty bird.