What a Week!!!!

This week has been super exciting.  I have been submitting a photo every day to the Arizona Highways Magazine in hopes that one would be featured as one of their "Photos of the Day".  It finally happened, one of my photos that I submitted in October was the Photo of the Day for November 28, 2015!!!  Here's the link to the Photos of the Day Archives, http://www.arizonahighways.com/photography/photo-archive.

The photo is one I took at my first Pow Wow I went to thanks to my friend Linda.  She called me one Saturday morning and asked me if I'd like to go to the Pow Wow in Mesa and take some great photos.  Who knew at that time if would turn out to be a great photo opportunity.  Another photo I took that weekend was featured on Arizona Highways Facebook page.  The them was "red" and I submitted one of the dancers from the Pow Wow in a red costume.

Than I receive an email Sunday night that my Snowy Egret photo that I submitted to BirdWatching Magazine website is selected for Photo of the Week!!!  Here's the link to the my Snowy Egret photo, http://www.birdwatchingdaily.com/blog/2015/11/30/photo-of-the-week-snowy-egret/.

I'm on Cloud Nine, this is so exciting to have photos featured on well known magazine websites so early in my photography career.  I've only been taking photos since January 2015 and I still have so much to learn.  I can't wait to see what happens next.

Here are the photos that have been featured.

Photo of the Day

 

Arizona Highways Facebook Page - theme Red

Snowy Egret - BirdWatching Website

Peek-a-boo Woodpecker

Started my day out at the Riparian Preserve at Water Ranch in Gilbert before spending time with family for Thanksgiving.  When I was leaving the Preserve I took this shot of a Gila Woodpecker.

Snowy Egret Stole The Show

I went to my favorite place to take some wildlife photos and had a great treat by a Snowy Egret. 

I was walking down the path along pond 1 when I saw something in the water and couldn't tell what it was.  I went down by the ponds edge and saw it was a turtle sitting on a log in the water.  This was the first turtle I've seen at the Riparian Preserve at Water Ranch so I had to take some pictures.

While I was taking pictures of the turtle a Snowy Egret flew by and put on a show.  I couldn't believe my eyes and started taking photos of the Snow Egret skimming the water. 

I still can't believe I got these great actions shots.  Enjoy the photos.

Can't Believe it, Another of My Photos Featured On Arizona Highways Facebook Page!

Two weeks in a row I have had a photo selected for the Friday Foto theme on the Arizona Highways Facebook Page.  This week's theme was "red".

I submitted 2 photos and the below photo was selected. 

I'm so excited and honored to have one of my photos featured again; still dancing on Cloud Nine :-)

Red Mountain Eagle Pow Wow, November 7th & 8th

My friend Linda and I went to the Red Mountain Eagle Pow Wow on Saturday on the Salt River Indian Reservation.  I only had a chance to go Saturday afternoon and what a beautiful sight.

Before the event started the announcer introduced the honored person to give the pray before the Grand Entrance.  I noticed off in the distance a bird flying towards us.  When it started to get closer I could tell it was a Raptor of some kind so I started to take pictures of it as it flew right overhead.  I couldn't believe how beautiful this red-tail hawk was and how fitting to start the Pow Wow.  It was funny the entire audience around me was also looking up and enjoying the view of this magnificent bird in flight.  My friend told me she had goose-bumps when watching the hawk in flight.

I could not believe all the dancers that were there, what a sight to see.  The Grand Entrance was amazing.  We were seated right next to the entrance and I couldn't take pictures fast enough when all the dancers were entering.  Unfortunately being right next to the entrance I had people walking in front of me all afternoon so many of my photos were no good, but I got some good shots :-)

Below are some of the photos from the Pow Wow.  Hope to go back next year and enjoy the sounds, color, dances and food of the Pow Wow.

Photo Featured on the Arizona Highway Magazine Facebook Page!!!!!

Exciting news!!!!  One of my photos was featured on the Arizona Highways Magazine Facebook page!  Every Friday they have a "Friday Fotos" theme were photographers can upload 2 photos for that weeks theme.  Last Fridays theme was Favorite Places in Arizona.

I submitted two photos and the below photo was selected along with 66 other beautiful photos throughout Arizona.  Here's the link to view all the featured photos, https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10153074456076852.1073741902.85397536851&type=3

 

Photo was taken at the Riparian Preserve in Gilbert, AZ

Riparian Preserve at Water Ranch in Gilbert, AZ

Had the most wonderful morning today. I hit the road at 6:00 am to go take photos at the Riparian Preserve at Water Ranch in Gilbert.

It's been several weeks since I'd been out there hoping to see some new birds this time and I certainly did. There were birds I've never seen before!!!  The new birds were the American Wigeon, Long-billed Dowicher, Verdin, Baird's Sandpiper and a Killdeer.

The ponds had more water in them since I'd been there last and to watch all the Canadian Geese fly this morning was so exciting. Their honking could be heard all over the preserve.

There was so much activity this morning there were times I just sat back and watched in amazement.

Enjoy the photos and have a great week...

Top 3 photos are Canadian Geese

Great Blue Heron

 

Top 2 photos are Green Herons

Long-billed Dowitcher

Neotropic Cormorant

American Wigeon

Killdeer

Baird's Sandpiper

Snowy Egret

Black-necked Stilt

Gila Woodpecker

Verdin