Janet Brien's photos with the keyword: tom

Please forgive me if this offends you...it's part of the Cycle of Life and a very rare and special sight! Please note: Tomorrow (Monday), Steve and I will be travelling with our RV to our campsite on Upper Klamath Lake. It's about 1.5 hours away and the plan is to arrive early so we can set up and have the rest of the day to relax and enjoy the amazing environment. We don't know what internet reception will be like, or if there will be a cell tower anywhere nearby. Therefore, I may or may not be able to post any pictures while we are gone. The hope is that we'll have enough signal to upload at least one picture each day. No promises though! Cross your fingers! In the afternoon two days ago, I looked out the kitchen window and nearly fell over. In the 12 years we've lived at our property, we've never seen turkeys "getting down to business" before but there they were!! I yelled to Steve and he ran over to see. We couldn't believe it! Steve told me, "Janet, I can't believe you're not out there with your camera already!" Staring at the spectacle out in our meadow, I answered, "Oh, by the time I get my camera they'll be done, and besides, I don't want to disturb them." "You should try!" was his response. I grabbed my new camera and took some pictures through our kitchen window. Steve continued, "They probably won't notice and you should go outside! Come on! I'll open the back door!" With that, I peeked out with my camera once the door was open. They didn't notice!! At full 25x zoom, I was able to get pictures that cropped to full-frame and still had plenty of wiggle room if I'd needed it!! The light was great and so was the angle…what were the odds??! I took lots of pictures at different apertures and then Steve said, "Why don't you try sneaking around the side of the house for an even better angle?" I thought that was a good idea, since I got all the pictures I wanted and if I didn’t get any more, it would be fine. And, as it happened, by the time I rounded the corner, the hen was gone and the tom was looking very satisfied and going back to his full-fluff display. No worries, I couldn't be happier!! Steve took a peek at my pictures before I went up to copy them over and he was like, "JANET!! THESE PICTURES!! THEY ARE AMAZING!!" :D And once I looked at them on my computer I was just so happy…all but a couple were perfect. I am posting the most "PG" version because I got some others that had my extremely liberal husband screaming, "EWWWWWW!!" ROFLMAO, that's just so funny! I would never have gotten this picture if I didn't have my new Sony camera. Again...what are the odds? I'm so happy...and I'm thanking my lucky stars!! HOORAY!!! Not going to post any other pictures today…the main picture is too distracting! :D Pam, I looked up "turkey" and found a marvelous tom with such beautiful coloring! What a delight to see these modern-day dinosaurs walking around so close to us! :) I hope that this day is treating you well! *BIG HUGS* Explored on 4/22/19, highest placement, #1.

(+5 insets) (please view large) :) Today is the day. YES!!! *fist pump* TODAY IS THE DAY!!! What?! What's today?! Today I will be getting a package from B&H Cameras!!! *bounces around squeeing in excitement* WHAT'S IN THE FREAKING PACKAGE?!!! *beams in ROL/PHOTO's direction* It's a camera!! A NEW CAMERA!!!! AHHHHHHH!!!! *explodes into a whirling dervish of cartwheels and backflips* *Notices that everyone is staring with fright in their eyes* *composes myself into a proper lady once again* Ahem. Specifically, it's the Sony RX10 IV, touted as the best bridge camera currently available!* I'm so excited I'm about to pop! *peeks out the window just in case a delivery truck will materialize on the driveway…noop!* :D *(Please note: there are countless wonderful cameras out there that work great, from phone cameras and easy-to-use pocket cameras to high-end DSLRs or actual film cameras…I'm not making a judgement call on anyone's camera…the fact is, the quality of an image has much more to do with the person behind the camera than the camera itself--awesome pictures can come from any source. My statement of "best bridge camera" comes from the countless reviews on this type of camera that places the Sony RX10 IV at the top of the heap!) :) WHY would I get another camera when I'm obviously head-over-heels in love with my Canon 5D MkII and MkIII, paired with my beloved 100mm 2.8L macro lens? *visibly confused readers scratch their heads in wonderment* Here's the thing. When I gave up my old Canon SX30IS super-zoom point & shoot camera back in 2011, I had to really fight with myself. Yes, I dearly wanted the high-quality images, dreamy bokeh and incredible macro capabilities of a DSLR. But I was in love with the SX30's 35x-time zoom and its ability to take any sort of picture I wanted. This versatility was extremely hard to give up, even though the quality just wasn't up to my developing standards. In fact, I became a much better photographer because I made it a mission to push the limits of that little camera with the aim for DSLR quality. Ultimately I didn't get what I'd hoped for but I really learned a lot about how to get the most out of a lower-quality lens. As the years passed, I've kept an eye on "bridge" cameras. In case you're not savvy to that term, that's a camera which is higher quality than your standard point & shoot camera but is not a DSLR. They have non-interchangeable zoom lenses and smaller sensors. (If you're interested in learning more, the article, The Best Bridge Cameras in 2019 will give you all the information you need.) To be honest, I was surprised that a suitable bridge camera didn't appear soon after I traded up to my DSLR in 2011. But no. The years ticked by and still the quality was not measuring up. So many models from a vast array of manufacturers but nobody produced the quality that truly satisfied the big-time camera reviewers. Until late 2017. My attention had waned by that point so I didn't know that the belle of the ball had finally arrived…namely, the Sony RX10 IV. I was taking a break from photography but finally came back on the scene to begin my Pictures with Pam project in October 2018. Finding my passion again, I immersed myself in photography and also reacquainted myself with friends and contacts on ipernity. That's when I started seeing some totally awesome bird and animal photography by my contact and friend, Roland (ROL/Photo) . I kept seeing consistently lovely, detailed close-ups that really impressed me. (If you'd like an example: "A Beautiful Profile" is a stunner!) When I looked at the EXIF data I expected to see a DSLR with a ridiculous cannon-sized lens. Imagine my surprise when I discovered that he was using a bridge camera I'd not heard of before! Reading reviews of the Sony RX10 IV filled me with great excitement because I learned that finally there was a bridge camera out there which had the quality that I demanded in an "all-in-one". Immediately I began dreaming of owning this camera. As much as I love our Canon Mk II/III's, the only way I can get proper zoom range is with our 100-300mm lens. That thing is a BEAST. It's huge, heavy, totally unwieldy and requires a tripod and not moving around a lot. I've used it to photograph birds on our feeders but that's about it. That's why my bird and non-insect wildlife photography totally took a dive after I gave up my SX30. I really hate it. Everyone knows how much I love animals. It would be so nice to take pictures of the critters I see on walks but my current setup just doesn't allow for this. If only. If only. I began to save my pennies. Finally, I was able to scrape enough coins together to buy one of these cameras. I could have kept saving towards the next Canon camera in line but the fact is, our cameras are perfect just as they are. What I don't have is the option for zoom photography. Also, we'll be doing some traveling soon and what better than to have the perfect travel camera with us? Steve spent time looking into this camera as well and was equally impressed. With a green light, we ordered it, and it will be arriving today!! Hooray!! UPDATE: IT'S HERE!!! IT'S HERE!!! SQUEEEEEEEE!!!! And…put on the brakes sister…its battery is charging. Heh. I have a couple of hours to wait before I can play with my new toy and truthfully I'm really looking forward to trying it out. However, unlike the me of year's past, I'm perfectly content to wait. Anticipation can be a delicious thing, so I'll read the manuals while I wait. :) I hope my next update will be me letting you know how it went and details on my main picture! :) UPDATE 2: HOOPS TO JUMP THROUGH but eventually…SUCCESS! :D My camera was finally charged and out I went to take my first pictures!! I had some trouble learning how to focus but I got the hang of it. I still have to learn what all the modes and settings are but I managed to get by. :) As you can see, I got a BUNCH of winners!! I'm so happy!! This camera is EXACTLY what I was hoping for, HOORAY!!! My main picture is a portrait of a lovely tom turkey, isn't he amazing?! I'm also sharing five insets of some other happy successes! A Black-Headed Chickadee, a male and female Golden-Crowned Sparrow (the female lacks the yellow on the head) , a female House Finch chomping on a sunflower seed, and a close-up of a tom-Turkey's gorgeous feathers! I would have to say that's very encouraging for my very first test drive of this camera!! I hope you enjoy the show! :) Pam, I did a search for "bird" on your photo stream and landed on your fabulous "Young Mr Bluebird Collage" that's just running over with goodness! :) Who needs a fancy bridge camera with 25x zoom?! Your camera is totally fantastic! And would you just take a LOOK at that bokeh?! WOOT! Outstanding images my dear! And here's hoping you had a nice day too. *BIG HUGS*! In case you're interested, here's an in-depth review about this camera from a site I really respect, DP Review's: Sony RX10 IV If you'd like to watch a super video review from a photographer who took this camera on a cruise, you'll really enjoy Maarten Heilbron's Sony RX10 IV - My Vacation Hacks and Photos Explored on 4/18/19, highest placement, #6.

This image was taken at Pheasant Field Farm on Saturday, October 22, 2011.

There are few things more hilarious to me than a Tom turkey strutting his stuff! He is quite convinced he is the most gorgeous creature on the planet, but fails to notice what's all over his face! :D :D Have you ever seen them moving around after the females? It's just priceless! They don't walk...they CRUISE. And as they cruise along, they turn their tail this way and that--kind of like a rudder--as they attempt to "herd" the females where they want them to go. And have you seen a fluffier bird in all your life?! To top it off, they're absolutely ridiculous looking from behind! SO FUNNY!!! Oh, how I love turkeys!!!

(The entire quote didn't fit: “...The Turkey is a much more respectable bird (than the Bald Eagle), and a true original Native of America. He is, though a little vain and silly, a bird of courage, and would not hesitate to attack a Grenadier of the British Guards who should presume to invade his Farm Yard with a red Coat on.” ~ Benjamin Franklin) Time: 8:00am Scene: Janet is dreaming of her bike ride yesterday..."Oh, the cat-tails along the road were so pretty with the sunshine making them glow..." *RAWWWWWK-RAWWWK-RAWK-RAWK* ..."Oh, the Holstein cows were so pretty and that darling baby running next to me...awwwww... *RAWWWWWK-RAWWWK-RAWK-RAWK* *COOO* "All those lovely trees with so many colored flowers....the one that looked like 1000 yellow butterflies on a branch... *RAWWWWWK-RAWWWK-RAWK-RAWK* *COO COOO COOOOOO* *RAWWWWWK-RAWWWK-RAWK-RAWK* I woke up to the sound of this crazy racket, and as I yawned and pulled back the curtain, I was sure there were geese fighting in Lucky's Pond (a kiddy wading pool)!! To my utter surprise, there was an enormous Tom turkey and about seven hens outside, cooing and rawk-rawking as they slowly made their way past the house. THE TURKEYS ARE BACK!!!! HOORAY!!! We are so extremely fortunate to live in a place where there are lots of wild turkeys. I don't know what their range is, but for part of the year they are gone, and they arrive again in the spring! This picture was taken from my window after I ran downstairs to get my camera, so you can see what greeted me when I looked out the window! :D Benjamin Franklin (January 17, 1706 – April 17, 1790) was one of the Founding Fathers of the United States. A noted polymath, Franklin was a leading author, printer, political theorist, politician, postmaster, scientist, musician, inventor, satirist, civic activist, statesman, and diplomat. As a scientist, he was a major figure in the American Enlightenment and the history of physics for his discoveries and theories regarding electricity. He invented the lightning rod, bifocals, the Franklin stove, a carriage odometer, and the glass 'armonica'. He facilitated many civic organizations, including a fire department and a university. Wikipedia: Benjamin Franklin