Tag Archives: chipmunk

Flora and Fauna

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A backlit bunny showing off his ears in the morning light.

I’ve been trying to capture the morning light with backlit sea glass for my photography project. I’ve been observing how light changes throughout the day.

The past two days, I walked with my camera in the early morning. Normally I take photos sitting down at home. The camera is a little bulky to carry on my walks compared to my iphone. But I managed because I was inspired to capture a gorgeous Texas Purple Sage in the morning light that’s on the other side of the neighborhood from me.

It’s a massive plant. Since I was using my macro lens that is for closeups, I couldn’t get far enough away to photograph the whole plant. Also, the sage is on the west side of a two-story house and was in the shade when I walked over.

Along my walk to the sage, I spotted so many beautiful instances of backlighting on plants like the Firestick cactus above and the Staghorn below.

My favorite is the following series of an agave. I took a photo of the whole plant and then got closer — and closer.

Last but not least, a chipmunk munching away on a blossom of a Golden barrel cactus.

Do you notice changes in light throughout the day and throughout seasons?

Which photos do you like and why?

Birds and a Chipmunk

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Red looking majestic in our backyard tree.

Now that I’m back home and have my camera, I’ve been taking photos when something interesting pops up in my backyard. From my cardinal couple, quail, finches and roadrunner, there’s been lots of action. Throw in a few chipmunks and I’ve taken a lot of pictures!

I’m impressed with this chipmunk’s balance on two legs.

I think this sweet bird is a female house finch?

This roadrunner actually laid down in our yard, waiting for prey. He had his eye on the chipmunk but left without any luck.

Mrs. staring at me taking while I took her picture.

Red found himself fending off quail to get a bite of birdseed.

Another shot of the roadrunner. Isn’t he beautiful?

Do you have a favorite of my backyard buddy pics? If so, which one?

Trouble in iphone land

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I snapped this photo of Red in a tree. I’m happy with it, especially the background, which I have no clue how it turned out this way!

I have noticed now I’m driving myself to Physical Therapy, that the maps app on my phone doesn’t work. Yes, I know the way there, but I like to check for traffic and the best route.

Then I turned on my Hallow App for the drive — and guess what? It didn’t work either!

My phone kept trying to connect with the car. Too much tech for me. So I turned off WiFi on my phone and thought it would use cellular data — and I’d get maps and Hallow. No luck. My phone is a brick when I leave the comforts of home.

Yesterday morning I left the house for a walk, listening to a podcast and the phone went dead once I was out of home WiFi range. I went through settings a million times and finally noticed my SIM was turned off. I entered what I thought was my SIM code. Next message said SIM locked. Enter PUK. What? What’s a PUK?

I called the customer service carrier number and my call failed. My phone was worthless.

What’s a PUK?

A PUK code, or Personal Unblocking Key, is an eight-digit security code that unlocks a SIM card when the PIN has been entered incorrectly too many times.

When you set up a PIN for your SIM card, it acts as a password to protect your phone’s cellular services (calls, texts, data). If you enter the wrong PIN too many times (usually three), your SIM card will lock, and you’ll need the PUK code to unlock it.  From AI Overview

I used my husband’s home office phone and got a PUK from the carrier. I reset my SIM code. So far so good. I’ll find out when I’m out and about if my phone is more than a brick. At least the camera works!

What tech issues have you had lately? Do they make you crazy too?

Chipmunks like the birdseed, too. They especially like corn.

Backyard critters

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Here are a few photos I took over the weekend of my favorite model Red, his wife Mrs. and a few other creatures.

I captured Mrs. in flight with Red in the background.

The chipmunks like to stand on their hind legs. What balance while he eats some birdseed.

A Curve-Billed Thrasher is one of the bully birds of the backyard. With his beak, other birds use caution.

Another lizard in the tree. This one was big and husky!

There can’t be too many photos of Red.

Or a baby quail with it’s mom.

Good news. I have two more weeks in the boot with the walker! Then I’m free as a bird!

What’s on the agenda this week?

Surgery Day

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This chipmunk stood on his hind legs for a long, long time. I thought it was interesting as here I am sitting, laying down, trying to pass time with a broken ankle. By the time you read this, I could be done with my surgery today and headed home! The doctor said it’s a four to six-week recovery. We shall see! I’ll take all your positive thoughts and prayers for the next bit of time.

Unfortunately, I had to cancel our trip for next weekend to the Bay Area to see my kids, and attend a wedding of one of my close friend’s daughters. My daughter is a bridesmaid. I hated calling and telling of my unfortunate walk where I fell and broke my fibula. But it had to be done. On the bright side, I was able to get a refund for the entire price of our airline tickets and hotel. Thank goodness for a bit of good news. I booked the trip in January and was so looking forward to it.

I can’t believe I got this shot. It’s of Mrs. mid flight to meet up with her sweetheart.

Here’s Mrs. with another friend.

As I sit and sit and sit, I watched another bright red cardinal enter the backyard. Mrs. and Red were hanging out together. Red took off like a bullet chasing the other guy. Mrs. stayed close by where I got took photos of her.

Who is that other guy? And is there jealousy between the cardinals? Do they have territories and not welcome competition? It appears so. Red came back a few hours later.

I’m so thrilled I’m in for surgery two days after my diagnosis. The doctor was extremely worried about how unstable my ankle is. Also, that the bone could totally break and the tendons go. I’m trying my best to stay still and off my feet.

Any predictions on how long my recovery will be?

Photos of my favorite backyard characters

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I have always enjoyed my quail and I’m looking forward to seeing babies. Certainly some of our quail are having babies? In the past, I’ve found nests in planters. As soon as I see quail families, I’ll post photos.

My favorite bird of all. Red is so striking.

Mrs. Is pretty cute, too! Isn’t it something how the males in nature have all the bright colors?

Red shares the spotlight with a quail. There’s always one quail who keeps watch for predators. He’ll be up higher and alone and start squawking if he senses danger.

Then there’s this guy. There are three chipmunks who hang out together. One looks like a parent with two babies.

What are your favorite characters in your backyard?

Here’s a PS I wasn’t expecting. I saw a foot and ankle surgeon about a painful left foot I’ve been dealing with for years. Finally, I decided to inquire about surgery. In the meantime, during our stay in the cabin on the lake last weekend, I fell and twisted my right ankle last Friday. I asked the surgeon (since she’s a foot and ankle specialist) if she could check it out for me while I was there for my left foot. Big surprise. I fractured my fibula and have been walking on it for five days! Yesterday was especially painful and swollen. No wonder. They are trying to get me into surgery ASAP. If you miss hearing from me for a few days, that’s why. I may have to wait for insurance approval and scheduling, but the sooner the better.

My Final Revised Final

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Photography class is officially over. I turned in my revised final this week along with my report on an out of context photo from the photographer’s original intent. If you missed my first attempt, I posted it HERE.

One of the instructions for creating a story out of pictures was to have an element of surprise. The bully bird attacked the chipmunk, which was a surprise, but the photo didn’t translate — it was just a bunch of feathers. I think the chipmunk hanging by his toes to get a drink from the pool was a bit of a surprise.

Whew! Time to sit in the backyard and enjoy my wildlife without holding a heavy camera. Instead I’ll take a book with me and relax!

What did you think my revised edition of the final with new photos?

Do the photos look in sharper focus that the one I posted Monday?

Happy Friday! What plans do you have for this weekend?