Archive for the ‘SAL-70300G’ Category
Tuesday, May 11th, 2010
Cynthia and I went to the Art Car Parade on Saturday. This time was different from years past because I was invited to be an announcer as the parade was going on with my friend and Technology Bytes co-host Dwight Silverman. It was a lot of fun, but I ended up not getting to take any pictures of the art cars. It took everything we had to keep up with the announcing.
I did, however, get some pictures of some of the numerous baby ducks at Sam Houston Park.
All pics shot using the Sony A850 and the SAL 70-300G lens. Click any image for a larger (and much cuter) version.
Posted in Cynthia, Photography, SAL-70300G, Sony Alpha 850 | 2 Comments »
Friday, April 16th, 2010
Poor little guy. Looks like the wind blew him out of his nest which is up pretty high in the Bottle Brush Trees so I couldn’t put him back, plus it looked like he might have a hurt wing as a result of the fall.
That and the neighborhood cat combined didn’t give me a good feeling about his chances of making it through the night so we scooped him up and took him to the Texas Wildlife Rehabilitation Coalition just to be safe. His parents were frantic and dive-bombing me like crazy. I’m sure it was quite the site to see.
I felt bad. But in this scenario, everybody lives.
Cynthia named him Fergus.
Posted in Animal Encounters, Birdwatching, Photography, SAL-70300G, Sony Alpha 850 | No Comments »
Monday, March 1st, 2010
Off Memorial Drive between Kirkwood and Dairy Ashford reside the wild peafowl of West Houston. Peacocks and Peahens roam the yards and streets, putting on a show and making a racket. Their call sounds like a baby crying out or a cat in severe pain. Some residents describe their call as “sounds like somebody being murdered.”
Overall they seem oblivious to the human residents and the occasional gawkers like myself who drive down to see them.
Apparently the population of about 50 birds are offspring from a pair that a landowner gave his wife more than 30 years ago. From what I understand, most of the residents like the birds.
And this one particular Peacock had no problem at all with me taking his picture as he presented himself, in all his glory, to any Peahen who cared to have a romp or a gander.
Posted in Birdwatching, General, Houston, Minolta 100mm F2, Photography, SAL-70300G | 2 Comments »
Tuesday, February 23rd, 2010
We’re having some very odd weather here in Houston.
The last few days have been very comfortable and rather mild. There’s been just a hint of spring in the air. I’ve noticed that the birds are gearing up for the upcoming mating season. You can see it in their activity around the house and in the neighborhood.
This male Cardinal was singning to beat the band and showing off his mighty crest.
And these two House Finches are busily building a nest in the neighbor’s tree
They seem blissfully unaware that we have our second snowfall of the season predicted for this afternoon.
That’s right, snow.
again
in Houston, TX
Poor birdies.
Posted in Birdwatching, Photography, SAL-70300G, Sony Alpha 850 | No Comments »
Sunday, February 14th, 2010
We’ve been seeing this hawk so frequently around the neighborhood Cynthia’s given her a name. Violet.
Tags: cooper's hawk, hawk, raptor
Posted in Birdwatching, General, Photography, SAL-70300G, Sony Alpha 850 | No Comments »
Monday, December 21st, 2009
There’s a tethered balloon at Discovery Green Park. It goes up 350 ft and back down again. The ride lasts about 10 minutes. A unique photo opportunity, not to be missed. Unless you’re petrified of heights.
George R. Brown through a fisheye lens
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Balloon At Discovery Green
The George R. Brown via the Sigma 12-24mm.
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Balloon At Discovery Green
Discovery Green Park viewed through the center of the gondola. Notice the ice skating rink. Also a fisheye shot
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Balloon At Discovery Green
Minute Maid Park and two more via the 24-70 Zeiss
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Balloon At Discovery Green
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Balloon At Discovery Green
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Balloon At Discovery Green
Nearby construction via the 70-300mm G.
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Balloon At Discovery Green
Posted in General, Houston, SAL-16F28, SAL-70300G, Sony 24-70mm Zeiss, Sony Alpha 850 | 1 Comment »
Monday, November 2nd, 2009
Wings Over Houston Air Show recreation of the attack on Pearl Harbor. Click any image to see larger version.
Tags: air show, confederate air force, ellington field, pearl harbor
Posted in Houston, Photography, SAL-70300G, Sony Alpha 850 | 1 Comment »
Sunday, October 25th, 2009
A murder of very large, very loud and very clever crows have taken up station at the end of the block. Apparently there’s a pecan tree down there yielding some nuts. The crows are flying to the top of the neighbor’s house and attempting to crack the nuts using their beaks. When this fails they let the nut roll down the roof and into the street to be crushed by oncoming cars. It’s quite a site to see. At one point there were about 7 or 8 crows lining the peak of the roof and all had pecans they were working on. One by one they let skitter to the street below. I can only imagine what it sounds like inside the house.
Posted in Birdwatching, SAL-70300G, Sony Alpha 850 | No Comments »
