The Painter's Palette (partial repost)

[Maestro]

(Note: The first few photos are reposts for you guys in the Photography Forum, but they go with the story.)

I have been going through a rather tough time lately. Just life...I will deal with it, but one thing that has helped is finding beauty in Nature and I usually do this through avian photography.

I titled this the painter's palette because to me this bird represents what a white bird that rolled around on a painter's palette would like if it did so. It is called a painted bunting and it is a truly stunning bird in person. And like so many birds, it has suffered about 60% decline in its population primarily due to habitat loss. I don't know about you but I would hate to lose such beauty. Please support your local wildlife conservation group if possible.

They are shy birds. This is how the afternoon started...in the trees looking around cautiously.



Eventually the heat and the desire to drink and cool itself off outweighed its shyness, but once again it needed to survey the area.





Getting a little closer to the stream...



And finally it decides to take the plunge.







These images were taken on a ranch in the Lower Rio Grande Valley. I have another set that I took of either this same bunting or a different one that came back when the sun came out. I'll share those later so I do not overwhelm this thread.

[Mira]

1. You already know how I feel about the Painted Buntings, and your spectacular

photographic catches of them. The bathing pictures are so sweet and perect. All this must have taken a while, I hope you soothed your troubled soul a bit, and I hope that your path will become more smooth again.

[Maestro]

4. Oh MIra, thanks.

My life has just gotten extremely complicated over the past year, but I will survive. Anyhow, if you like these, I think you will like the next set even more. I had either this same one or another PB pose in some nice light for me.

[hippywife]

2. You are right about

how beautiful they are and it does look like they rolled along a painter's palette. We only see them very rarely here in OK.

As always, thanks for sharing your talent of getting incredible shots of these birds. I hope whatever you are having to deal with isn't too overwhelming and is resolved well for you soon. :hug:

[Maestro]

3. Thanks

Yes, OK is really stretching their northern limits, but you sure have a lot of scissor tailed flycatchers. :)

[Mugu]

5. Wow, absolutely splendid lovely photos all.

I would be thrilled to have taken them.

If you wouldn't mind, I'd be most interested in knowing the equipment that you used and your method of stalking.

Cheers, Mugu

[Tindalos]

6. What beautiful birds

I think I've mentioned before how amazing it is to see such brightly coloured birds. They really do look like they've rolled in paint. I love how you capture them in their daily lives. They seem aware of your presence, but have decided you aren't a threat. You must be very patient to gain their trust like that.

[Blue_In_AK]

7. Beautiful, Maestro.

We don't see birds as colorful as that around here. :) And you are so skillful.