Saturday, July 13, 2013

Personal Photo Challenge........Birds


With more travels last week in California and 
the Pacific Northwest, and a busy time 
snapping photos of friends and scenery, I almost 
missed posting for Donna's July Photo Challenge.
Shame on me when I have so many photos of beautiful 
birds viewed around the world........and I love all birds. 


Here's looking at you!
How can I resist when this handsome owl truly did appear 
to be staring straight at me.

Taken at the World Owl Center at 
Muncaster Castle, Cumbria, England - May 2011.
Camera - the old faithful Olympus SP-590UZ using the 
pre-set scene 'Bird Watching'. Added a little 
sharpness with PicMonkey.



My favorite bird in sub-Saharan Africa is the 
Lilac-breasted Roller. This particular one was viewed on 
a dead tree branch in the cold harsh sunlight of an early, 
almost winter, morning on a game drive at Mala Mala, 
South Africa in June 2012. 
Used the Canon 7D set on P (still need to work with the DSLR!) and a little tweaking with PicMonkey.

Below - the amazing colors of this bird in flight - a 
difficult shot to capture but you get the idea of the 
beauty of the underside. 
Taken at Abu Camp, Botswana, June 2012.





Linking to Donna at Cottage Days & Journeys monthly 
Hope you'll visit and perhaps join in.


15 comments:

  1. Breath taking photos with a wonderful post, Mary! The owl eyes photo is truly perfection...enjoy your day!

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  2. I love these! Isn't it wonderful to see owls up close at centers like the one you visited? The framing of the composition is spot-on, and the feathery details are amazing to see. And the colors on the roller are truly a delight. Great job, as always. And I'm glad you could jump in on this one, despite your busy travel schedule.

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  3. WOW!! Amazing shots Mary!! Thanks for sharing them with us. I LOVE the owl's big-eyed stare - so perfectly focused, I just want to pat those feathers!! The colorful underside of the bird in Botswana is really something too! Isn't nature wonderful?! Such beauty for us to enjoy...

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  4. Wonderful to see an owl so close...just amazing details of pattern and colors. If you hadn't shown me the Lilac-breasted Roller, I'd never have seen one. Now those are some exquisite colors and the shape of the tail is unique.

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  5. These are all just amazing, my friend! We were just watching our DVDs of the No. 1 Ladies Detective series filmed in Botswana. What amazing scenery and wildlife! Enjoy your weekend!

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  6. Love your beautiful owl and the Roller is gorgeous. Great captures! Happy weekend to you!

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  7. Wow! Mary these are amazing shots and I am a complete Owl lover. I have never seen even a picture of a Lilac Breasted Roller so this is a real treat for me to see it both perching and in flight. I love wings!

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  8. Eye to eye with the owl is amazing and I love the colours of the lilac-breasted roller. What a beautiful bird.
    Judith

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  9. Oh my gosh! Stunning shots! I was almost startled when I scrolled down and saw that owl glaring at me :) A beautiful shot of the roller - what colours! Thanks for a lovely visit!

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  10. Such beautiful choices for the photo challenge. Birds have the most beautiful and colourful feathers don't they?

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  11. Owls are right near the top of my favourite birds list. You have captured amazing detail in these shots. I love them!

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  12. Stunning shots, as always, Mary. I love the first owl photo he really is staring at me! The colours of the Lilac-breasted Roller are something else, truly amazing.
    Thanks for coming over to welcome me back after my 6 week break, I think perhaps my blogging mojo has returned and I'll be checking out this challenge for sure.

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  13. Fantastic owl photos, great shots for the challenge.

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  14. Both birds are stunning. I loved being greeted by that beautiful owl.
    I do believe you met the challenge beautifully.

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  15. Your posts are AMAZING:) and they make me smile everytime I visit in here.

    Check out my blog....If you want to see a beautiful Swedish country styled house:)

    have a great week dear

    LOVE Maria at inredningsvis.se
    (sweden)

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