Photograph

Weekly Photo Challenge: Masterpiece

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This week’s Weekly Photo Challenge is Masterpiece.  Most people think of works of art or fantastic buildings when this word is brought up, but to me, nature is the source of the real masterpieces. So, I searched my nature photo files for the one that screams masterpiece to me. This desert scene, shot just east of Tucson, Arizona, shows nature at her best. Hope you agree.

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Wildlife Photography Without Ever Leaving Home

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I love taking photos of all kinds of wildlife. One usually thinks of wandering far afield when doing this, and in truth I have done that, with photo safaris in Africa, Europe, Asia, and many parts of the United States. On July 4, 2013, though, I fell and hurt my hip, and since then I’ve been pretty much confined to my house or hobbling around with the aid of a cane, which you might think would inhibit my ability to get good wildlife photos. Not so. My deck looks out on a wilderness park, and my neighbor has a profusion of flowering plants in his back yard. Butterflies, birds, squirrels, and many other small creatures can frequently be seen hopping, perching, or flying around in both places, as well as my small back lawn.

For the past thirteen days, I’ve spent many hours sitting under an umbrella on my deck, camera in hand. I’ve documented an interesting array of nature’s creatures who’ve come to visit, all without having to move more than ten feet – to the rail of the deck for a clearer shot in some cases. More often than not, I’m able to just sit in my chair and by using my telephoto lens, get some pretty good shots of my visitors. Here is a small offering of what I’ve been able to get. I’d be interested in how many readers have also documented the wildlife around their homes. If you do a post of your photos, please link them to this post so that I and other readers can also enjoy them. Happy shooting.

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Free and Low-cost Images for Your Blog

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Check it out; you won’t be disappointed.

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Cee’s Fun Foto Challenge: Your Best 2012 Photos of People and Animals

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This week, Cee’s Fun Foto Challenge is a great one; the best photos of 2012 of people and animals.  Go here for a look.  In the meantime, here are some of the photos of people and animals I did in 2012 while living in Zimbabwe and after returning home to Maryland.

A goose swimming in blue water.
A goose swimming in blue water.

Boatmen IMG_4136

As winter approaches, the deer come out of the deep forest looking for food.
As winter approaches, the deer come out of the deep forest looking for food.

"Reflections of Giraffes in the Water"

"Hippo in the Water"
Sometimes it holds mysteries.
"Crocodile"
Sometimes that liquid element contains danger.

"Waiting for my human"

"Guinea fowl"
The regal green of this guinea fowl against the peaceful green of the grass.
"Spirit Medium in Her Hut"
Sitting among her potions and symbols, this Spirit Medium looks wise, doesn’t she?
"Village Shaman - Zimbabwe"
A village shaman or spirit medium outside her hut in Zimbabwe.
In death, as in life, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., stood heads and shoulder above those around him.
In death, as in life, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., stood heads and shoulder above those around him.
Standing under a tree in a field, listening to the preacher, is just a normal part of everyday life for African Apostolic Church followers.
Standing under a tree in a field, listening to the preacher, is just a normal part of everyday life for African Apostolic Church followers.
The Army's Old Guard escorts the caisson containing three fallen heroes' remains to their final resting place in Arlington National Cemetery.
The Army’s Old Guard escorts the caisson containing three fallen heroes’ remains to their final resting place in Arlington National Cemetery.
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