backyard birds

We enjoyed watching the flurry of activity around the back yard this morning before church.  Who knew how much strapping a dead branch to my shepherd's rod would entice the birds to come and hang out?

The early-morning directional light was great for taking pictures of the bird activity out back.

I moved the plant Anita bought me over near the hummingbird feeder and it was a hit! The birds had been visiting it in its previous location, but they seemed to like the move a lot.

Here's why the dead branch is cool - I get to take natural looking pictures that aren't! All the birds love it =)

retreating to the cave

Steve & I with the 2010-11 SA officers

looking out of the cave from the natural entrance

Ranger Rick

Ranger Rick explaining the saltpeter "mining" operation during the war of 1812

cave ceiling

steps connecting the top and second levels

Giant's Coffin

SA kids have no trouble with the low passageways

Ryan, on the other hand . . .

descending the stairs

the only bat we saw

Cassie in Fat Man's Misery

the group in Mammoth Dome

testing....

I've been looking for a way to display large pictures on Blogger and I think I finally figured it out! Now to figure out how to get the background pic to show . . .

new diffuser

Jaclyn helped talk me into getting a flash diffuser when she was here. For a little more than the price of one, I got two! A cloud diffuser (translucent) and clear (transparent). They both have an inverted dome for the top.

preliminary samples for your enjoyment:

flash pointed at ceiling - no diffuser

flash aimed at ceiling - diffuser - no dome

flash aimed at ceiling - diffuser - with dome