Nose Art

During this time of year, I usually photograph birds. Yesterday, however, I had an opportunity to photograph some pretty big birds.

A few months ago, I learned that the artist who paints nose art on military planes at the 171 Air Refueling Wing lives in the next town. I thought it would make a good article for Pennsylvania Magazine and queried the editor after securing approval from the military. Last week, I got the go-ahead and was informed that a plane would be in yesterday for one day only. So Donna, the artist, had to paint the motive, the Duel 'n Fueler, in one day.

I went out to the base to take some photos while she was painting. But the story doesn't end here. I was actually chauffeured to the flight line where I was able to photograph each of Donna's designs that was on the ground. Her nose art is truly awesome. There were a total of seven planes available: the Spirit of Pittsburgh, the Falcons Spirit, Freedom will Endure, the Patriot, the Allegheny Warrior (my personal favorite), the Steel Phantom, and Pittsburgh Simply the Best. It was better than an airshow and everybody was super nice to me.

All this happened because I was networking with my fellow Pennwriters. I can't wait to write the article that will accompany my photos, but I guess I'll have to postpone the writing until next week since I'm getting ready to attend the Pennwriters conference from Friday till Sunday.

My photography has taken me places I would have never dreamed of going: a day sail aboard the Flagship Niagara, a museum for automated musical instruments, Old Economy and now this. What's next?

Busy Time

This is the busiest time of year for me. As a bird photographer, I was looking forward to migration to add some new species to my ever growing stock photo list. I was not disappointed since I took some great pictures of an eastern towhee, a white-crowned sparrow, a white-throated sparrow, a cardinal and a red-bellied woodpecker. On my wish list of desirable species is a bluebird. Yes, I do have bluebird photos from last year, but none of them is very sharp. So, on Tuesday, a birder friend and I went out in search of bluebirds. We did find them, including one that sat on top of a No Parking sign, cleaning its feathers. When not grooming itself, it and its mate fed the fledglings in their birdbox. But they didn't let me come close enough to get a really sharp photo. I didn't want to interfere with the feedings of their young so I backed off. On the way back, I took some photos of a yellow warbler, but again they're no more than record shots. So the quest for a great bluebird shot continues.

I am also getting ready for the Pennwriters conference which will begin next week on Friday. This time, I not only have an agent appointment, but I also volunteered to be a time keeper for another agent. Friday promises to be very busy.

I learned yesterday that my nonfiction proposal to Pennsylvania Magazine was accepted. This photo feature will showcase an artist who paints noses on military planes. I am very excited about this and can't wait to go out to the base to photograph some very big birds.

In June, I booked a photo exhibit at the new library in Robinson Township. I am pleased to show my work for an entire month in the town I've lived in for almost 10 years. And besides, I always love to hang around libraries.

Happy spring to you all!

The Hummingbirds are back

I am in full birding mode right now. Yesterday afternoon I spotted a male ruby-throated hummingbird at our new feeder. This feeder not only has an ant moat, but it also has perches that make it more comfortable for the little fellow to drink. Yesterday was an interesting birding day anyway since I observed two male rose-breasted grosbeaks under our feeder in the early morning. Then I went to Beechwood were I was disappointed at the amount of birds I saw. There were no bluebirds at all and I only saw one warbler. Even the feeders weren't very popular. Where have all the birds gone? Apparently, they all come to our feeders. It seems indeed that all the action happens in our own backyard at the moment. The juncos are probably gone now, but I photographed both white-throated and white-crowned sparrows a few days ago.

Sometimes I wonder why I love photographing birds. They never land on the branch I want them to land on, they move with lightning speed, and when I finally focus on their eye, they turn their head and my focusing job goes out the window. Nine out of ten of my photos go right into the digital trash bin, but the tenth photo is a thrill. Like the photo of an eastern towhee I show here, it is exhilarating when everything comes together: sharpness, action, a great looking bird and a decent background. And if I can photograph a species I haven't collected yet, so much the better.

Happy spring, everybody!