Cooper’s Hawk

Cooper's Hawk Display
Cooper’s Hawk, Immature

This weekend, I had the opportunity to observe and photograph an immature Cooper’s hawk for almost an hour. I was very fortunate in actually seeing it fly into a juniper tree, where it was quite well hidden. I would not have seen it, had I not seen it fly in.

Cooper's Hawk
Cooper’s Hawk Display

Over the years, I have seen this and other hawks in the neighborhood. This is the longest time, however, I have had the opportunity to be “up close and personal” in such an intimate way with any wild animal, bird or otherwise. I knew at the time I had seen something extraordinary. Later, processing the images over several days, I saw many things I had not “seen” at the time. I have evolved from finding this an “interesting’ encounter to developing a tremendous amount of respect for this young hawk. This slide show contains many images from the encounter; some better than others. I include so many in hopes of sharing the depth of my encounter with this bird and its with me.

To see the image in full screen mode, click on the button in the lower right hand corner. To control the volume of the soundtrack, click on the button just to the left of it. I hope you enjoy viewing it as much as I enjoyed putting it together.

Cooper's hawk
Close up of talon with prey

Albuquerque seems to be an ideal spot for the Cooper’s Hawk! I do indeed live in an “urban forest” area, and my own yard could be described as such. I feed many small birds at a variety of feeders, an enjoy seeing them daily and as they change seasonally.

I had accidentally seen this hawk fly into the tree. When I heard my scrub jays going nuts, I was concerned about a little fledgling scrub jay I have been attempting to encourage to come closer by feeding peanuts when I was out. I had been out and taken a few images, but the bird was hidden enough I did not try for more, initially. But, when I heard the jays, I thought if I went out, perhaps the hawk would fly someplace else for dinner that particular day. I took my camera, although I thought good images would not be possible.

The hawk had moved to a much better spot for photography. Still concerned about the fledgling jay, and with the hawk showing no signs of leaving, I decided to keep moving closer and closer. When I got close enough, this hawk put on an amazing display, which I interpreted (and still do) as a challenge to me. It was beautiful and mesmerizing; I had never seen anything like it. It seemed to go on forever, and I kept photographing. In reality, the entire display lasted 18 seconds!!!

Study on Cooper’s hawks in Albuquerque

Cornell Labs Information Page on Cooper’s Hawks

Back to Blue

Back to Blue

“Back to Blue” refers to a series of floral images I created late last summer and early fall, and called “The Blues.” Done in shades of blue, the reference was as much to emotion and mood as to color.

Two images from that series have recently been recognized.

back to blue
Starting Over – Bud of Sacred Datura

“The Blues: Starting Over” was selected by Juror Stephen Perloff as Third Place Winner in the New York Center for Photographic ArtPrimary Colors” competition.

This image will be exhibited in New York City from May 6 – 17, with the Opening Reception of May 8. I am pleased to have this image shown in this venue! Many thanks to the New York Center for Photographic Art and to Stephen Perloff!

Another image from the series, “The Blues,” Ephemeral, was chosen as a Nominee in the 7th Annual Photography Masters Cup:

back to blue
Ephemeral – Fully open datura flower

This is a fully open datura flower. These open at sunset, and began to fade at the first light of morning. The plants themselves are quite hardy, but the flowers truly are fleeting – and very beautiful.

These were my two favorite images from the series, and having them recognized in two very different venues brings me a great deal of pleasure. I am happy for the opportunity to share them again, although my current work seems to be dominated by bright colors and bold designs.

Solitude and the Creative Process

Solitude and the Creative Process

solitude creative process
Act 3 in Red
Windblown and tattered red ranunculus at sunset,
April 30, 2014

The blog has been neglected for a bit this spring, while I have worked on other things. Later this month I’ll be giving some presentations on Floral Photography and also Color Management in Photography. Working on presentations for other people always requires thinking and rethinking of one’s own processes of creating, in my case creating photographic images. I come from a family in which some members do their best work in the company of other people, and other members require at least some degree of solitude to do any work at all. I’m glad I see both sides of that coin in my family, but I definitely am one who requires solitude and time to think to do my best work.

This summer holds a couple of significant anniversaries for me, and these have also stimulated my thought processes. I didn’t set out to think about these things in particular, but I have allowed myself the time to do it. I’ve also allowed myself some time to read, just for pleasure and not directly for learning, as I have done so much of my life. Of course, one may learn more from reading for pleasure, if the circumstances are right.

Some quotes come to mind:

Henry David Thoreau:

I never found the companion that was so companionable as solitude. We are for the most part more lonely when we go abroad among men than when we stay in our chambers. ~ Henry David Thoreau, “Solitude,” Walden, 1854

Writer, anthropologist, and friend, Jim Stallings:

Began having a new vision of things. What was it exactly? Can’t say maybe. Can’t say at all less I think on it. I’ll think: emptiness in-forms perception; the point is not how much you know, what you know, or who you know; the point is emptiness and freedom. The loneliness of freedom… ~ Jim Stallings, Falstaff’s Diaries, 2011

Photography instructor, Barrack Naggan, in class critiques of photographs, 2009:

Would you hang it in your house?

The first two quotes had meaning to me at first reading. The real significance of “would you hang it in your house?” took me a little longer to grasp, as simple as it seems on the surface. A work a visual artist is willing to display in his/her home says “this is me. I’m revealing something about myself that I am willing to be seen within the safety of my home.” The same piece, of course, may be seen in many public places. In that context, the image is as much about the viewer as about the artist. The same piece, hung in the home, reveals much more about the artist.

I love photographing almost anything, but am probably best known for florals and portraits. As I prepare the presentations on floral photography, I have gone through a lot of my prior work. The most recognized pieces have been “Lily,” “Starting Over,” and Ephemeral.” These three are monochromatic to one degree or another. Within the world of roses, I am probably best known for my love of the Hybrid bracteata, ‘Mermaid.’ None of these images are hanging in my house, and in preparing the upcoming presentations, I was not inspired to print one for hanging in my house. I have two of my own images in my house: one of the Great Kiva at Chetro Ketl in Chaco Canyon (from film days!) and a monsoon season sky from 2009, done as an HDR. Those are images that are very personal to me, for a variety of reasons.

On the evening of April 30, 2014, I went to my mom’s house to photograph some of her roses for possible inclusion in the upcoming presentations. She grows beautiful roses, but I was not feeling particularly inspired that evening. Until, that is, I saw some old ranunculus flowers that were falling apart and ragged, having been abused by days on end of high winds and blowing dust. The light at that point was perfect – Golden Hour but diffused by a few clouds and all the dust in the air. I took four photographs of the ranunculus, each from a slightly different angle. When I saw the one in this post on the computer, my first thought was “I have to hang that in the house.” Until I saw it, I had not known what I was looking for, only that there was a void that needed to be filled. I had grown restless with my images, but I wasn’t sure where to go next. I ordered a large print for the house that night.

Is this a one-time-only image, or will there be a series of subsequent images of aging flowers that are nevertheless vibrant in their last moments? Only time will tell on that one. But this image tied together so many things happening in my life that I had been thinking about for the past several months – thinking about in wonderful solitude.

I hope to be a little better about the blogging process this summer. I am updating my portfolio site, and invite you to visit there as well.

Sandhill Cranes in Corn and Flight

Sandhill Cranes are encouraged to stay in the Rio Grande Valley through the winter by corn crops planted specifically for them and other migratory birds. State and National Wildlife officials coordinate their efforts, so that the birds and land are best cared for. Here in New Mexico, the cranes are considered something of a winter treasure by anyone who has seen them.

If one looks closely at the corn in the foreground, one can see the distinctive red patches on the heads of many sandhill cranes. The corn provides food and also good protection for the birds.

As I was photographing in this area, a motorcyclist drove by. The cranes appear to be used to cars driving by, but they were spooked by the motorcycle. In the end, I was almost grateful to the cyclist, because he gave me a chance to photograph cranes in the corn and in flight.

Sandhill cranes really are a sight to behold along the Rio Grande Valley of New Mexico in winter!

Sandhill Cranes
Sand Hill Cranes in Corn and Flight

Sandhill Cranes on Foot

Sandhill Cranes on Foot

Although as a photographer I really love to show birds in flight, it is also important to photograph them as they are usually seen for longer periods of time. Many sandhill cranes overwinter in the Rio Grande River Valley of New Mexico, which is desert. The riparian area along the river is often referred to as “the bosque,” and it is a very important environmental areas for many living things.

Corn (and other crops) are planted in State and National Wildlife Refuge areas to attract and keep overwintering birds such as the cranes.

Sandhill Cranes
Sandhill Cranes on Foot

Sandhill Crane in the New Year

Sandhill Crane on January 1, 2014, in the Rio Grande Valley of New Mexico.

The magnificent Sandhill Cranes overwinter in the Rio Grande Valley of New Mexico. They are spectacular in flight, as well as impressive on the ground!

sandhill crane
Sandhill Crane in the Rio Grande Valley of New Mexico, January 1, 2014

Happy New Year to readers here.

Fall was very busy with photography. In these winter months I’ll be catching up with new posts here.

25th Old Church Fine Arts Show, Corrales, New Mexico

25th Old Church Fine Arts Show

The 25th Old Church Fine Arts Show presented by the Visual Arts Council of the Corrales Historical Society opened on Friday, October 4 with a wonderful reception for artists and their family and friends. The 2013 Exhibition of Fine Art is open daily from 11:00 AM – 5:00 PM, closing on Sunday, October 13, 2013 at 4:00 PM.

Fine Arts Flyer
Fine Arts Flyer

Net proceeds and donation from Artists’ sales go to the preservation and maintenance of the Old Church. Visit the Visual Arts Council on the web at corraleshistory.com.

The Old Church is a beautiful venue for a Fine Art Show, as these images from this year’s show indicate:

25th Old Church Fine Arts Show
25th Old Church Fine Arts Show

All adobe structures require constant maintenance. The Old Church is a much-loved historic structure, and this spring it received its annual “mudding.” On July 26, 2013, the Albuquerque metro area along the Rio Grande River was hard-hit by a strong, severe storm, eventually described by the National Weather Service as “hurricane strength.” Odd for the desert, but it did happen. The north side of this beautiful old historic building was severely damaged. A lot of time and money will be required to restore it to its condition before the storm.

Old Church north wall
Old Church north wall

Winners were announced at the Opening Reception on Friday, October 4. Congratulations to Frank Dobrushken for Best of Show with his black and white photograph, “The Dancers.”
Cheryl Cathcart was awarded Second Place for “Suspended in Air.”
I was very pleased to received Third Place for “Floral Fireworks.”
Thanks to Jurors of the Show, and to the Visual Arts Council.

Floral Fireworks
Floral Fireworks

I have a second piece in the show, “Cycles of Life: Sacred Datura:”

sacred datura
sacred datura

Dia de los Muertos at Las Laguna Gallery

Dia de los Muertos

“Day of the Dead”

dia de los muertos
October 3 – 31, 2013, artwork related to Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) will be featured at the Las Laguna Gallery in Laguna Beach, California.

From October 3 through October 31, artwork in a variety of media will be featured at Las Laguna Gallery, Laguna Beach, California.

Dia de los Muertos, the day the spirits of the dead are welcomed back, and honored with special foods and offerings at altars made especially for the occasion, is a major holiday in Mexico. Not surprisingly, it is also a major festive occasion in New Mexico and elsewhere in the Southwest.

I am pleased to have two images in this show:

composited image
Julie Saul (Juror) selected Spirit #1 for Honorable Mention in Professional Women Photographers’ Spring 2013 International Women’s Call for Entry.
The Old San Ysidro Church
The Old San Ysidro Church, Corrales, New Mexico

The opening reception promises to be a lot of fun. In addition to usual reception fare (wine, appetizers, music), there will be face painting for all ages.

If you are going to be in the Laguna Beach area in October, consider visiting the show at the Las Laguna Gallery.

5th Annual Pollux Awards Announced

5th Annual Pollux Awards

The results of the 5th Annual Pollux Awards have just been announced, and I am very honored and happy that five of my images placed as Finalists in this year’s competition.

In the category, “People,” my image ‘Muertos, Marigolds, y Motorcycles 1’ was a finalist.

5th annual Pollux Awards
Muertos, Marigolds, y Motorcylces

‘Spirits of the Old Adobes, Spirit 3’ was named a Finalist in Digital Manipulation.

5th annual pollux awards composited images
Spirits of the Old Adobes

Two images were finalists in the category, “Nature.”

finalist, Pollux awards
Life Cycle of Sacred Datura – an iconic plant of the Desert Southwest

This image will be shown in the Corrales Fine Arts Show at the Old San Ysidro Church during Balloon Fiesta, October 4 -13, 2013. It is also a finalist for this year’s Julia Margaret Cameron Award.

The second image in the “Nature” category to be named a finalist is this Japanese sea nettle. This image also won 3rd Place in the People’s Choice Awards in this year’s PX3 Prix de la Photographie Paris.

pollux awards, Pacific Sea Nettle jellyfish
Pacific Sea Nettle jellyfish

A fifth image, ‘The Wonder of It All,’ was named a finalist in the “Portrait” category.

I would like to thank the WPGA and juror Julio Hardy for recognizing these five images.

I would also like to congratulate all the winners. Many of my friends are winners in multiple categories, and I’ll list them later, when I am sure I have checked and double checked to make sure I have not left anyone out.

This has been a good day! 🙂

Sunflowers!

Sunflowers

– gloriously bright flowers that almost require people who see them to smile!

2013 has been a great year for sunflowers in New Mexico, and I have enjoyed photographing a variety of them, as well as some of the creatures attracted to them: bees, crab spiders, and even some attractive flies. I’ve been surprised at the different sizes and colors of the different flowers themselves.

Fall is approaching, and the blooms of the sunflowers around me are coming to an end. But they have seed heads, which are attracting house finches and gold finches and jays, among others.

This is the summer I have been smitten with the humble sunflower.

This slideshow has some of my images from this summer. A few more will probably be added before the bloom comes to a complete end. I hope you enjoy these sunflower images.

All of the images in this slideshow are available for purchase as prints at Susan Brandt Graham Photography.

Some of them are also available as 5×7 inch folded note cards, either in landscape orientation or in portrait orientation.

sunflowers
Approaching Autumn
%d bloggers like this: