Help Me Out

About a year ago...almost exactly a year ago...I entered a photo in a contest.  The first round was judged by the company that sponsored the contest.  I was voted by that company to move onto the second and final round.  The second and final round was judged by the rest of the world...you guys.  You guys voted for me and because of that, I was one of the eight winners.

That same contest is going on right now.  And again, the piece I entered was judged by the company to move into the next and final round.  Help me out!


To vote, please "Like" this page (www.facebook.com/iPrintfromHome). Then go to my image (www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10151043041531995&set=a.10151032584...) and click on the “Like” button below it. 


If the link takes you to the whole album, my piece is "African Grey Parrot" by Christopher Kulfan - that's me


many many thanks everyone!


or, you can email your vote if you don't have facebook.  Go here and fill out the info, saying you would like to vote for "African Grey Parrot" by Christopher Kulfan   http://www.iprintfromhome.com/irf.asp

 ...This is the photo that made it in...

Outside and Inside

Yesterday, the sun was actually shining.  It was bright out and everything was looking all pretty.  So I took some pictures...

 A pretty fence with some pretty mountain laurel-like plant...growing around it

 And some pretty thistle-ish things.  

...and because it is National Bird-Feeding Month, I give you a Common Redshank.  

Today, on the other hand, a fine mist was falling from the sky.  Though this rarely stops me from going outside, I was already planning on being indoors for most of the day.  I attended a lecture on museum ethics at the Ulster Museum and decided to use that opportunity to get today's photo... 

 I dig the leading lines...they kind of drag you past the subject as opposed to leading you to it.

Bird Thursday

Today, I give you...birds.  Swans and herons to be specific.  Grey herons to be even more specific.  The swan on the other hand is your standard swan.  If they have a more specific name, I am unaware of it.
Both of these birds were found on the Lagan River in Belfast.  The swan got very close and very vocal.  The heron stayed far away, barely moving...

House of Martin

About 15 years ago, my father decided to create a Martin bird house.  It wasn't a difficult project, and apparently it was fairly well built, for only now is it starting to die.  But it's dying at a rapid pace...and I'm sure will be taken down and tossed in the fire pit soon.

Martin House

Here is a portion of that bird house.  The colors underneath the peeling paint have a nice antique feel to them.  The fact that it looks like it's going to fall apart also helps add that feeling.

I'll Climb a Ladder to Reach the Birds

I had some time to kill when I got home from work today.  Not much, just some.  I went outside with my camera, knowing that my neighbor had been doing some house work, thinking I might get a decent photo of something tool related.  I found a pile of ladders, a decent enough subject, and composed the shot.  I then figured I could go for a quick bike ride since my daily photo had been captured fairly quickly, but I kept my camera attached to me...just in case.  I'm glad I did.  As I was riding around, I noticed some birds.  Some pigeons to be exact.  I had noticed some before, and on each occasion was awfully surprised to see them.  See, I live in Ephrata, PA, a non-urban area, surrounded by farms.  I have spent many years of my life in New York City, knowing all too well the type of environment needed for what so many call "flying rats," and Ephrata just isn't it.  But oddly enough, they keep showing up...and more frequently too.  So I decided to follow them a little.  I realized that Ephrata doesn't just have pigeons, we have a flock of pigeons...a very specific group of about ten pigeons that have a very specific area that they like to fly around, and a very specific building that they will rest on.  The flock has a single white pigeon that seems to get a lot of attention.  I don't know if the white one is female, or if it is popular due to the color difference.  Regardless, these birds provided me with a good half hour or so of birdwatching and bird-chasing by bike.  I got the feeling that I could be the new Mark Bittner, a man who spent much of his free time taking care of a flock of wild parrots in San Francisco.  This man and his parrot friends have had a documentary made about their lives.  I'd recommend that anyone who likes a good eccentric guy and some adorably friendly parrots check it out.  It is entitled The Wild Parrots of Telegraph Hill.

Ladders

Here is that pile of ladders.  Perhaps I shall snag one in order to get closer to those pigeons.

Flock Of Pigeons

These two shots of the birds are definitely not your average "wildlife" shots.  I had no idea I'd be photographing birds, especially not ones on top of buildings.  When I go out with the intention of shooting them, I shall bring a telephoto, allowing me to get some good close ups of these birds.

They Came From the City

This is an ode to my early impression of the pigeon's habitat...the dark, metallic, and rusty city.

Elusive Birds of Middle Creek

Today, my wife and I took a trip to our favorite place to hike and see wildlife.  I always get so frustrated by the pamphlets that can be found there.  Basically, the photography of the animals and landscape is pretty poor, in my opinion.  I feel I could do much better, but never get around to offering my services. Perhaps it's a good thing I'm yet to do so.
Normally the photos I get from Middle Creek are quite decent.  Today, though, I came across two birds, slightly hidden, and I realized there might be a reason that the photography isn't as good as it could be.  It was hard for me to get the shots I wanted, and the results really are less than fantastic.  But they remind me oh so much of the pamphlet photography.  Here they are:

Pheasant

I did not do this beautiful bird justice.  Let it be known that it was hiding in a grove, avoiding me and my camera.

Canadian Goose

I like the way the bushes frame the goose.  I don't like the fact that sometimes I can't move around and get my subject from the direction that I'd like to get it from.

For School

I am currently attending the New York Institute of Photography.  So far it's going rather well and I'm rather enjoying it.  My hope is to get through the program before I move to Ireland, and at the rate I've been going, that really shouldn't be a problem.  I just have a few photo projects to work through...The one I was working on today ended up getting me today's photo. 

Kiwi

I'm pretty sure this bird statue thing is supposed to be a kiwi.  Like all kiwis, it is cute, unlike most kiwis, it is also deadly.  

Reptiles and Birds

Fantastic weather today.  I was told it reached 86 degrees.  So of course my wife and I made our way to Middle Creek.  We created some delicious sandwiches, threw our bikes on the back of my car, and made our way to the wonderful wildlife management area.  We saw tons of Great Blue Herons flying around building nests, and then when our gaze fell from the sky back to the earth, we found a cute little Eastern Painted Turtle.

Roosting in the Trees

Though it isn't the best picture of herons, this should give you an idea of what all the trees surrounding the lake look like.  Back and forth these big birds fly; straw and branches hanging from their beaks.

Hidden

This Eastern Painted Turtle had no desire of coming out for my wife and I.  Perfectly content right where he was, at least he provided me with easy photo opportunities.

Abstract Shell

In that the turtle wasn't going anywhere, I had the chance to get some nice shots of his shell.  The nicks and scratches add to the image while the shininess allows for different hues throughout it.

Now it's Spring

It's official.  It's Spring.  I was dive bombed by Tree Swallows today.  This means that Tree Swallows have finally returned to the area...which for me is like seeing a Red-Breasted Robin.  These are high on my list of favorite birds, what with their crazy air acrobatics and angel like under-wings.  Getting within a few feet of their nests will cause them to tweet with anger as well as dive bomb you with what seems to be fearlessness.  Hold your ground and you will see that they aren't as brave as they appear...they veer off quite quickly.
Today was the first day that I got to see some of these cute little creatures.  As my wife and I were standing there watching them, we got an extra treat, a beautiful Bald Eagle was riding the thermals to a pretty impressive altitude.  Sadly, my 50mm lens did not do the eagle justice.  So today I only have one bird to show you...

Fearless Tree Swallow

These birds are known to fight each other for feathers that are falling through the air.  It is unknown why they do this, though surmised that at breeding time it is for building the nest, while at other times it is for nothing more than sport.