The wind has returned for a while, it may blow for a week but it's not likely. It cleared the sky to its impossibly deep blue and at dusk there will be no clouds for those habitually taking Sunset pictures. I take them once in awhile they are colorful and pretty but I use a different approach to them by photographing the reflected light. That's another method that has a fairly large trash can rate.

The Sun is setting to the right on this image just below the top of the Diablo Range, Mount Diablo is in the lower right corner; it is not the subject. My technique is to look then see a well illuminated area of the clouds and focus in the middle of it.

I take a lot of pictures of Mount Diablo then delete them; there is a method to my madness. I am learning Photoshop and need many images to edit and toss, the mountain range has a lot of imperfections making them useful to learn editing.

This is another Sunset, the focus was on the towering cloud in the center, the horizon is far below and Mount Diablo below and to the left along with the setting Sun. As I stated my goal is to create a unique image in my style. I like to include birds when I am able.

I'm not sure what species these are, if I were to guess it would be Trumpeter Swans, don't go to Vegas on it. Captured correctly the combination bird, sky and clouds along with the setting Sun can produce pleasant results. I have a limited range I am able to photograph, 80% of my pictures are taken from my water side deck or the Levee top 60 feet from the porch. The remaining 20% I take within a mile of my house; I'm restricted due to not being able to drive any longer. I do all of my wandering on my disability scooter, it's surprising the variety of opportunities I have in that one mile.

I've been taking migrating flocks lately attempting to avoid belly and South bound train shots (animals going away with a clear view of their rear end). It is easier to photograph birds flying away then any other target. These are long shots however, this one was at about 400 yards taken with my Sigma 150-600mm lens. If I were to crop it any more the pixels would be obvious, this was cropped quite a bit.

The Canadians are the same but these were much closer at 200 yards, my concern at this distance is always focus. This is one of a few birds that attract little attention in photographs, two others are Hummingbirds and Corvids.

The image of the Canadian above is an exception, it is a classic photograph. A Canadian with the wings in the down position are used in calendars and promotional pamphlets. It's easy to understand as it evokes the feeling of freedom almost as much as an image of a Great Bald Eagle. Actually it seems most pictures of Ducks in flight are popular as well. I have great opportunities to photograph these birds as they feed in the pasture on the Island in my clear view.

There are times as the picture above illustrates a beautiful work of art the result of planning and being in the correct position. These were all taken with no wind it will be interesting to realize the results of my efforts in a week or so.

Taking images of predators is when the wind helps me and them making it easier to hover in one place to zero in on a victim. The result is they are in the same spot for a considerable amount of time working their wings and looking down, another classic photo.

Jacques Lebec Natural Self Reliance