Just Hawking Around

So back in June on the 16th I am coming home on my bicycle from work and a hawk flies overhead and perches on my neighbors roof. I figured it would fly away by the time I got into my house grabbed a camera and headed out, but no it had not. It actually flew across the street to a fence to watch the hood.

So I started moving slowly and went across the street and got a shot before it flew to another tree, which my curiosity made me get close to and by doing that it flew out to a bush. Now I was shooting towards the sun around 6 PM but didn't want to move anymore. Really didn't want to stress the hawk and you have to take what you are given. The hawk rested on the ground, then the bush and it was only about 25 feet away so luckily I had been shooting with a big old 70-200/f2.8 so I could get some reach.

What I did not know was the hawk was looking for dinner! It made a small little jump towards the ground then just rammed into the bush that you see it sitting on. BOOM! about a dozen sparrows go flying out of the bush (they had been absolutely silent) and then the hawk came out with one in its clutches. Of course I had been so in tune with what it was doing I had quit shooting and was just watching......Dinner was served!

Enjoy the shots - I believe this is a 'Cooper's Hawk' based on the ambush method of attack! Plus the size, tail feathers and Head based on most of my research I am sticking with the Cooper's Hawk.

Thanks for reading!

Tim-

Opal Creek - Oregon Cascades

A Sunday or so ago my wife, daughter, myself along with our dog went up to the Opal Creek area for a day hike. We ended up doing a seven mile loop which was a little more than we should have for the seven year old and our dog who was dragging too by the time we got back to the car. This area is a little over an hour of travel time East of Salem, and is kind of busy on the weekends, as it is rather an easy hike overall. Still a very wonderful area and to remain intact for years to come.

Anyway, this is a protected "Old Growth" area which used to have a little mining village so along the road/path you see some of the old mining equipment that was used and left behind. Further up the road is the community area of 'Jawbone Flats' which is where there are cabins that can be rented and they do learning camps for the area teaching of the ecosystem and what the old trees still do and the value to the system.

Of course there was the Little North Santiam River, which was flowing rather well from a tremendous snow pack and the spring melting. So the roar of the river stays with you as you pretty much hike/walk along this old road cut.

One of the little critters that can be found there is the 'Western Red-Backed Salamander'. The one I shot here happened to be working its way across the parking area so hopefully it did not get squished from a car later on.

Thanks for reading!

Tim

Long Time No Blog & Horsepower!

Hey ya out there!

Keep meaning to get to this blog site but have been passing it up even while at work! Can you believe that I would rather work at a real job then post something out here? Anyway......

Things have been moving along the past month, have put out about 5 photos per week of just regular stuff to 'Smugmug' and recently posted a few shots of the 2008 Silverton Road Race which was held June 1st. I was really out there to sell off some wheels I had but took the cameras to catch some action and/or shoot some of the local countryside! You can check out my smugmug area and get into sports photography/OBRA racing where there are several galleries.

Here is a shot of my newest Bike in the stable....2006 Ducati Multistrada 620. I bought it back in late February (had 73 miles) and got my safety courses and endorsement done by mid-march. Since then have been using it to commute when I do not ride a bicycle and do some scouting rides for future bicycle training, etc. Got out today with a couple of friends and rode the back roads up to Woodburn (60 miler round trip) to look around at the outlet mall. Good will power as I bought nothing even though I was very tempted in a few stores. I meant to ride my bike today, but have to have priorities and there will always be time to pedal.

I am for hire for shooting teams, events, etc. I am currently pretty cheap at $50 for the first hour then $40/hour after that which also includes any computer time if you want some photos to be checked. Of course I have to unload them from the camera and be able to cut them to CD or DVD. Anyway that is a plug for my small company TRE Photography.

Have a great rest of the weekend! Tim

Small Update on Smugmug

Hello to whomever is reading!

I was working on the PC last night and was logged into my smugmug site and since I had some processed photos I actually uploaded them to the site in the "Animals" area. A few of the photos are of some Big Horn sheep that I was able to photograph last December (07) while spending the part of the Holidays with Family in Cody, Wyoming.

A couple of other shots were of some 'Gulls' while we did our annual family pilgrimage to the Coast for my spouses birthday.

If you want to check them or other shots out, please check my smugmug site where you can purchase any or all of the photos available! There is a link over on the right.

Have a great day! Week! Weekend, Month, Year!

Tim

Eyewear

Hi folks!
Just thinking about eyewear and the various brands that I have used or currently use. In my snowboard days it was and still is 'Smith' products and also have used their products for use in cycling and running. Usually with interchangeable lenses to compensate for varying light conditions. I still have an older pair of 'slider 2' at home and use them working around the yard, or under my helmet when I am riding my motorcycle.

Oakley's - can not go wrong with these folks, but you also thin out your wallet and I think you are spending more money for a name. My pair right now has interchangeable lenses, but you must be careful about taking in/out as you can break the catch pieces on the edge...bam! Out more money!

I have used some 'Axleys' but not really impressed by them. I also use some 'Ryders' and for a less expensive alternative found them to be very good eyewear and lenses. I have interchangeable on this pair also and for running me all of about $50, well worth the investment.

This leads me to my most recent trial....Tifosi optics. I recently purchased the "Slip" model with the Fototec lens and find them pretty awesome. I really like the ability of the lens to lighten and darken with the changing light conditions and they only ran me about $60! They have good ventilation and fit my bit larger noggin pretty well. I have not tried other brands (with this type technology) but do not want to spend the money on them (well over $125 - average) just to see if I like them. Would be happy to test them for FREE if anyone is reading this that has those connections! I would really like to test some more of the Tifosi though as in the past four weeks I have been very impressed for the versatility, fit and function of the eyewear. Can not say enough about the prices as they are very reasonable.

Thanks for reading, Tim