Tuesday, January 27, 2009

Cool things, bad photos....

This guy was dove-hunting yesterday - He was sitting on one of the big rocks that used to be in and around my pond, which is now my feeding station/"studio." The sun was bright, and he was in the one spot that I couldn't easily "get" from the window, so the pix are lousy. He sat very quietly for a long time, then started crying, stretched, and flew off.
Look at me!

Almost immediately, this giant flew into the tree, He wouldn't come out, and I wouldn't go out in the cold, so this is the best I could do. Then he flew, and I decided to go out and see if I could get some decent shots, and......

This one was out a bit farther in the trees. He wouldn't budge from behind the branches either.

Is it spring yet? The blue jay seems to be rushing the season a bit...he was in a courting mood.
And the chickadee ws checking out the nestbox. I don't know if he knew about the coming snow and was looking for a hideout for today, or if he's thinking spring too.

We are battening down for this rough economic time, and are taking our bird shop back to basics in the "real" store, and will be using just part of the space for this, and cutting down on our physical inventory, with the online store providing the rest. Then we are using the rest of the space for a nature art gallery and local artists' co-op (including photographers). I have some wonderful help, and it will hopefully keep us viable till things turn around. So I have another web site to do, and I will start another blog, reporting on business - retail, online, and gallery. I just can't give up this blog, though, but it may stay once or twice a week,instead of trying for every day. WISH ME LUCK!

24 comments:

Ruth's Photo Blog said...

I certainly do wish you lots of success.Hopefully things turn around soon.
Blessings,Ruth

Betsy Banks Adams said...

Well Good Luck, Helen.. These are hard times for everyone. My oldest son was uprooted from a great job in Texas when Hurricane Ike hit. He is now in Las Vegas --trying to get work in the restaurant business there. Vegas is really suffering --and right now, there's no work.. This is just ONE example of the hard times we all are experiencing. One of these days, things will get better. It can't be soon enough for me.

Hang in there...Good Luck!
Love your pictures today!
Hugs,
Betsy

George said...

It certainly sounds as if you won't have time to be bored. I hope the online store goes well and that the economy soon improves.

June said...

Good hearing from you...and sorry to hear that your belt is tightening...I'm sure it's little comfort that you're not alone. Sounds like you're doing what you need to in order to get through it all.

Roses and Lilacs said...

Helen, we will be happy to see your lovely photos whenever you have time to post them. I know people are cutting way back on non essentials. Even my veterinarian's business is slow because people just don't have any extra money. Very frightening times.
Marnie

Anonymous said...

The very best of good luck Helen.

Dave Coulter said...

Cooper's hawk??

Shelley said...

Birdlady - I'll follow you anywhere! Sounds like you are doing everything viable to survive and I wish you the absolute best! My husband who owns his own business had to lay off some workers - it was very sad. I am praying for a recovery sooner rather than later.
P.S. Those courting Blue jays were so cute!

Willard said...

An interesting series of photographs.

Good luck in your endeavors and I hope the economic situation gets better too.

I liked your comment about the SNP visit. I called my sidekick and set up the plans to go on the previous morning, but the longer the day went the more I thought, "why did I do that-I don't want to fight the cold", but by making the arrangements I had committed myself and it turned out to be one of the best winter trips to the park that I have had.

I also am looking forward seeing more of the photographs that you refer to in your Friends In High Places post.

Eve said...

Good Luck Helen...we'll be looking for your posts! Hope the weather isn't too bad.

Mary said...

I wish you all the blessings in the world and hope this new venture goes well. The economy will improve, if we can just wait it out! Hang in there!

NCmountainwoman said...

Helen, your "bad" photos are better than my good ones.

Best wishes for the shop. Hmm...if all your readers ordered just one thing...

Nick S said...

Wonderful visitors ! One looks like a Cooper's , but I'm, not sure about the other..

Tina said...

I do hope all goes well for you and that your online store makes it thru these tough times! Be thinking of you.
:)

Jayne said...

Oh Helen, I do hope things do turn around. Getting leaner and looking towards other things to offer in the space are great ways to weather the storm. Love all your hawks!

Ken Conger Photography said...

Nice series. Always enjoy seeing hawks. Good luck with your business transition. Tough times for all. Blue Skies.

Anonymous said...

Good luck with your business this year. Please keep us updated. We would come and visit your store, but it is a bit far for us. I love visiting your blog though.

abb said...

WORLDS AND WORLDS of luck, best wishes, prayers for a successful weathering. These are certainly scary times we're living through. BTW - I'm ordering my feeder today!

DeniseinVA said...

Hi Helen, yes most definitely, the very best of luck. Look forward to your posts but see I have some catching up to do in the meantime. Have missed checking in lately.

Unknown said...

Definitely good luck! Sounds like you have a business plan, and a willingness to adapt to the situation, which puts you a step ahead on the curve. Great photos by the way too.

Richard said...

I dont know if you know this site...www.birdforum.net

Naturegirl said...

Wishing you so much luck!
Love the photos of Mr. Hawk..especially the first. I must admit after a photo shoot I usually shoo him away from my bird feeders..sometimes there is evidence that I'm too late.Can't interfere w/ the Law of Nature I guess.

This Is My Blog - fishing guy said...

Helen: Don't be so hard on yourself. Some of those hawk photos are neat even with the shadows and branches. They are a really wild bird. I like the one where it is streching.

2sweetnsaxy said...

I know things are tough. I most definitely wish you well. I've been between jobs for nearly a year now and praise God every day that I'm still afloat. I know through His grace and goodness I always will be. May you keep faith that His grace and goodness will follow you as well.
:-)