This weekend an insecure, emotionally stunted madman attempted to enforce his cruelty upon people in the community where I live. Although I’m trained in mental health, I can claim little understanding of why or how anybody could be so callous. But in my years of photographing birds, I’ve learned from them it’s possible, and imperative, to travel through existence gently and deliberately. This is my act of resistance against the brazen madness of the human world.

Black-crowned night heron

This is probably the best focus I’ll ever be able to get

Wood duck

Going overboard w photos of the Mandarin. Was just glad to have something to shoot besides neighborhood parrots.

Bowling pin

I’m in Gaviota and was able to get this slo mo of a dragonfly landing on its perch. I think it’s a meadowhawk. The slo mo on my camera requires me to pre-focus and then hope it’s capturing at just the right moment so this took awhile.

Green heron looking autumnal

There were about four days in December 2018 when I saw and shot this bird every morning. He was definitely in charge of the territory, chasing off any and all rivals. This spiny plant was a favorite perch, probably because of the way the light shone on his gorget. Good spot for photography too.

Allen’s hummingbird

Raven preening and showing its characteristic wedge-shaped tail.

Acorn woodpecker

I started photography in 2016 with no experience and learned mostly by looking at other people’s photos on social media and figuring out what I liked about them. Now it’s one of the most enjoyable and consistent things in my life.

Acorn woodpecker

Spotted towhee

Black-necked stilt

Allen’s hummingbird

Allen’s catching its balance

Allen’s hummingbird at sage