Northern Flicker

This year, I noticed a lot more woodpeckers around my neighbor's orchard and my yard. Fortunately for us, they have stayed away from the walls of our house, for the most part!

This set of pictures were taken from my window (cold air coming in the house even as the heater came on notwithstanding!) with my camera, 600mm telescope and 2x teleconverter set up. The pictures could have been a lot sharper if not for the vibration caused by the mirror slap from my camera every time I clicked the shutter. Yes, I did use a remote shutter release, but that did not stop the vibration.

Autumn Birds

Here are some pictures of birds that I took this week. Some of these birds are found in my backyard all year round, like the woodpeckers and the hummingbirds, and others are migrating birds that are from a little further north of California.

It is fun photographing them and learning the identity of each bird.

"Oregon" Junco

Golden-crowned Sparrow

Ruby-throated Hummingbird

Song Sparrow

Mockingbird

Northern Flicker Woodpecker

Nuttall's Woodpecker

Starling

Ladybirds

Ladybirds aka Ladybugs have always been a favorite subject of mine. They are starting to appear in my front yard and I have told Doug not to mow down the weeds where they can be found. I am looking forward to when the weather cools down a lot more and when we get fog and lot of moisture in the air because I cannot wait to photograph the ladybirds with beads of moisture on their backs!

Earth Sea Sky

Some of my favorite beach pictures from our summer vacation in Malaysia this year.

Dragonflies

Ever since I took the first clear and sharp picture of a dragonfly I have been quite obsessed by this insect. Up till recently I have not been able to catch them stationary enough for me to photograph.

These pictures were taken at Borneo Rainforest Resort in Lambir, Sarawak, in my front yard here in Galt, California, and the last picture was taken at Rancho Seco Park.

Hummingbird

The hummingbird is a beautiful bird and photographing it can be quite a challenge. It moves so quickly that even before you can get your camera focused properly it has moved to the next flower.

Fortunately for me, the ones in my mother-in-law's yard are quite used to being around people that they do not get spooked too easily when you approach them as they sit on a small branch.

I especially love the photos taken during one foggy morning. The bokeh background looks more interesting than usual.

Reverse Macro Photography

I took these pictures using a 50mm Olympus prime manual lens on my Olympus E620 using a reverse macro ring adapter.

It is quite difficult to focus on the subject because your hands need to be pretty steady and the distance between the camera and the object has to be precise to get the best focus. These pictures were among my first several pictures using the reverse macro ring.

Fishing Boat Series

These fishermen were getting their fishing boat ready for a night fishing trip in the South China Sea. This was the first of two boats that the fisherman dragged and pushed to the water's edge.

Micey Hill Series

I don't know if there is a name for this hill, but a friend and his wife named it Micey Hill because some mice came out of wherever they were hiding to eat up the crumbs from their lunch.


The sun coming out from behind the hill. It was a glorious sunrise.



The morning sun already above the hill. What a beautiful sunrise.



Micey Hill in the distance, as viewed from the opposite hill range.



It was a very clear morning sky when the clouds seemed to appear from no where above Micey Hill.

The shrubs look green and are still flowering in May at Mojave Desert.

Female Western Blue Bird

The female Western Bluebird has a more washed-out blue color.

Male House Finch

The male House Finch has red coloring on the head and chest.

Yellow-rumped Warbler

This is a common backyard bird in California.

Western Blue Bird

The male Western Blue Bird has a striking blue color.

Red-breasted Robin

The red-breasted robin is a common sight in the spring.