Eric and Julia's Family Photos

Fields of fresh hay before summer harvest is a perfect backdrop for Eric and Julia's family pictures.

Karen and Jason's Maternity Shoot

Over the weekend I did a maternity shoot for Jason and Karen.  They are excited for their little baby girl to arrive.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Kelli at Chastain Park

Last week I photographed Kelli at beautiful Chastain Park, which is the largest park in Atlanta Georgia (238 acres).   It has a little bit of everything.  There's a golf course, tennis courts, swimming pool, amphitheater, three mile walking/jogging path, a creek, and more!  It was the perfect setting for her pictures.

 

 

 

 

 

Around My Yard: In April

As the saying goes, "April showers, bring May flowers", but not here in Oregon this year.  It's been a beautiful April, with just enough rain to keep everything green and pretty.  I love the assortment of flowers that have begun to blossom, the baby animals that are running around with their mommy's and daddy's, and the many variety of birds singing in the trees.  I'm thankful for God's gift of nature.

 

 This fawn is pure cuteness!

Mom

Eurasian Collared-Dove



Red-winged Blackbird



This Gray Squirrel doesn't seem to be bothered by me in the least!



Orange-crowned Warbler

I saw many Sparrows . . .

Gold Crowned Sparrow

House Sparrow

 

Song Sparrow

  

As well as many colorful Finches.

American Goldfinch

House Finch

This Western Fence Lizard enjoyed our warm sunny days.

Western Fence Lizard

Western Fence Lizard

Beautiful flowers are blooming.


Lilacs (Syringa) - So fragrant and pretty!



This adorable tiny Rufous Hummingbird couldn't stay away, and he brought several of his friends too.

Rufous Hummingbird

To learn more about this beautiful little bird, visit my blog post:

The Feisty and Colorful Rufous Hummingbird

More pure cuteness!

Pretty sunsets

 

The Feisty and Colorful Rufous Hummingbird

It's only April, and I've been seeing the Rufous hummingbird here in Oregon since March.  These colorful tiny hummingbirds are enjoyable to watch, and don't mind buzzing around you to get where they are going!

  

Rufous Hummingbird

 

The Rufous Hummingbird (Selasphorus rufus) is the most common hummingbird found in Oregon, and are one of the smallest and the most aggressive hummingbirds in all of North America.  They will stand up to birds many times their size.  They also migrate further than any of the other hummingbirds, sometimes as far as 2000 miles.

 

Male Rufous Hummingbird

 

Males have a rusty colored crown. The more common males have a orange colored back, but a small percentage do have a green back. Their tails are orange with black tips.

  

Male Rufous Hummingbird

 

 

Female Rufous Hummingbird

   

The females are just a little bit larger than the male, and their head and back are green in color.  Their belly is mostly white with some green. Their gorget (throat) is a whitish color, which may have some orange/red in the middle. The female tail has a mix of rust at the base of the tail, dark in the center, and white tips on the outer feathers.

  

Female Rufous Hummingbird



In certain lighting, these aggressive little birds glow!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

   

 

   

Their wings do not reach their tail when perched.

 Juveniles look like the females, but without as much bright colors.  

  

    

  

 

 

  Happy Bird Watching!