han0522’s photo blog

This week in January I’ve had completely off to do whatever with and, seeing as how we’ve had nice 50 degree weather with clear skies, I’ve been doing some hiking. First part of the week I went to Bell Slough and Goosepond wildlife refuges - excellent hikes, so-so photo opportunities. Today I went to Holla Bend National Wildlife Refuge (NWR for us annual members of the park) and captured several shots that I liked.

The first big flock I saw were these, I assume, pelicans.

I initially saw them through some woods beside the road. I stopped and carefully snuck up to the creek to get a closer look. Most of the ducks around the pelicans flew off at my approach - not sure why they don’t like humans shooting at them. At any rate, as I was sitting there calmly shooting away, all of a sudden this whole flock burst into the air. My D80 with 70-300 VR was on manual focus but fortunately I had been practicing manually focusing on moving objects. I still have some work to do as far as sharpness, but I’m getting there!

Next I encountered this little guy along a pond. I’ve no idea what he is, other than a bird of some type. He new exactly what I was - a nuisance.

While heading towards the part of Holla Bend that parallels the Arkansas River, I spooked this eagle/falcon and only had a few seconds to respond. He looked down at my car and flew off. I believe this was auto focus.

In Holla Bend NWR along the Arkansas River one can often find bald eagles hanging out looking for some dinner within the park. I was surprised to find this guy sitting in a tree not 20 feet above me checking me out. Strangely, he tolerated my presence as long as I was in the car, but once I stepped out, and he was gone in a flash. I took this as a sign that I need to trim my beard.

I finished out the day along Holla Bend’s Center road that, as one might assume, runs right up the center of the park. On either side are large fields and this seemed like the best place to get some sunet shots. I was hoping for more shots - perhaps when I go back I’ll scout out some other areas.

It was a very enjoyable day and I was pleasantly surprised out the wildlife that exists just one and a half hours from Little Rock. The best time to visit this park is in December through February, so I hope to be back before March hits.

T’was several nights before Christmas, and all through the house

There was one creature stiring, and it wasn’t a mouse …

… alright, enough of the lame Christmas reference. I was going to bed late one night and saw this tree with the security light on behind it. The fog added a “mystical” feel to it and, after taking it, I though it might be represented better in black and white.  I’m not sure if it turned out as I wanted it to, but, I’m learning!

Merry Christmas all.

Christmas at Han0522’s consisted of sisters, brothers, mothers, fathers, and nieces. The family met out at “Mama and Papaw’s house” out in the middle of the woods with the cows, deer, and guard dogs as well as a highly trained watch-kitty.

Some woke up around 7 o’clock and subsequently had to wait while everyone else stumbled out of bed, staring at the presents that mocked them. After a few minutes, their excitement of it being Christmas morning waned. Despite this set back, eventually everyone else woke up, got ready, and the opening of the presents ritual could begin.

Everyone had a great time, especially my nieces. I had my camera setup to capture the action, which captured blurry action since I my settings were wrong! But the one that turned out decent, I think, captures the Christmas morning impression:

Afterward, when the girls thought Christmas-present-opening was over, they got the one thing they asked for, scooters!

So, another sucessful Christmas!

Late afternoon, before Christmas, and my dad and I have been called up from the reserves to photograph LB and Abbie in their Christmas dresses! Fortunately, my dad, being a much better photographer, took the lead while I snapped some random “fun” shots.

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Abbie is a gymnast. A good gymnast. She does stretches, flips, special jumps, flips over bars, and stands on her head! Here she is, in gymnastics class, waiting for the other three year olds to catch up.

It’s my mother’s birthday and she’s just received the prized gift for the evening and her response, well …

Luckily Abbie knew just the thing to distract the audience  - some tumbling!

And what a beautiful tumble it was! But the distant cries of help alerted us to the fact that someone in our minst was injured. Alas, it was Shana, whom Abbie had mistankenly tumbled into …

She seemed dazzled. She didn’t know who she was or where she was, but that was hardly a change for Shana. What worried us is she failed to remember who Harry Potter was - but since this lasted only seconds and the clear fluid draining from the wound stopped, we figured it was a sign along with her excruciating headache that she was healing just fine.

Fortunately, Abbie maintained a smile throughout the entire ordeal:

Tony knows, Tony knows.

After LB’s masterful Nutcracker performance, the entire family met up - a perfect opportunity for two girls to sing and dance!

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