Backyard bluebirds: the feathered upside of quarantine life in 2020

These on-the-fly bluebird captures were a total gift. Taken at very long range with a Sigma 100-400mm f/5-6.3 DG OS HSM Contemporary zoom lens, they're essentially unedited (apart from cropping and a very slight boost of texture.)

I think he was more at ease from a substantial height and distance so he took a quick moment to enjoy the view.

So did I.

I love this guy who, as it turns out, is quite aggressive about defending his territory from the sparrows. You've got to admire that.

Good looks and an attitude, too.

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Perspective

In this composite using my macro rose with a friend's drone photo, I combined his expansive perspective with my intimate point of view. It's a great analogy for how I like to create — examine all sides of a subject before shooting, writing or forming an opinion about it. Both views are essential, and it's often of great benefit to view them at the same time.

Favorite Destination: Genesee Country Village & Museum

My daydreams these days revolve around a fully converted, off-grid-capable camper van, an assortment of photography/computer/wifi gear, a thermos of fresh coffee, a full tank of gas and miles of open road. Sadly, I have neither the budget nor expertise to convert a van, much less launch out on a fall foliage tour of the Adirondacks, America’s breathtaking national parks or wherever that open road might take me. Instead, I watch Facebook and Instagram and travel vicariously through the images of friends and mentors. Which is why my bi-weekly day-trips to the hamlet of Mumford have been a godsend over the last two years. Without spending more than a few dollars for gas and traveling less than an hour west on Routes 5&20, I can be transported — for the better part of a day — to another world. Genesee Country Village and Museum, the third largest living museum in the United States, is a 600-acre complex boasting 68 historical buildings and an army of costumed interpreters who love loca...

Mertensia Bluebells: a breathtaking 'walk in the park'

I've heard tales of the spectacular "Mertensia Park bluebells" for years. But despite my best efforts to juggle work and home schedules, life never lined up so I could experience them first hand. At last I was able to visit this week — twice — and discovered hidden treasures and peace of mind both times. Healing, even. I took my Canon EF 100mm f/2.8L Macro IS USM along to see how it would handle closeups and longer distance shots, and it was good to forge a relationship with what I've previously considered to be my uni-tasker. Walk with me....

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