Just picked up a Nikon Z8 with a Sigma 150-600mm “Contemporary” lens. Had a sweet trade up deal through Nikon on my Z7II (loved the Z7II). Absolutely loving how thez8 and Sigma are working so well together! The autofocus system is like nothing I’ve ever seen - amazing in the speed it locks in...

Was it the Sharp Shinned, or the very similar looking Coopers Hawk? Both are very impressive looking birds. I am more personally attached to the Cooper's Hawk - their orangish colored eyes are particularly stunning when photographed well! Saw one the other day while on our walk at the park...

European Goldfinches and Robins have been showing up at our feeders. An early spring perhaps?

NCL makes a regular weekly stop at Kauai on their itinerary. But because of weather we spent an extra day there. They used to sail past the Napali coast, but they no longer do that. We were told that environmentalists were concerned about the affect on the erosion of the coast because of the...

We did the Norwegian Cruise Lines Pride of America 7 day sailing. Started at Oahu (Honolulu), on to Maui and the final stop was in Kauai. We missed Hilo and Kona due to high winds and rough seas (they diverted us to Kauai). All in all a great trip with mostly amazing weather. The photos of...

A few photos from our recent trip to Hawaii. What an amazing journey!

Had a hell of a good time in Kauai a few weeks ago - including this guy wanting me to take his portrait while we waited for our river cruise to the Fern Grotto.

A male Hairy Woodpecker showed up at the feeders a short time ago. For a long time I did not know I was looking at a Hairy Woodpecker because they look nearly identical to the Downey Woodpecker. First time I've ever seen this happen - while the Hairy Woodpecker was feeding, a male Downey...

I don't know that they are rare, but around here by us they do tend to be pretty quick to disappear when people are around. I was very surprised, with us sitting literally 20 feet away in our living room, that he had perched and posed like he did. For me, at least, it was a pretty rare...

Well. It started with me being continually pissed off watching the morning news. Momma forced me to turn off the TV and watch the critters in the park across the street. I must admit - it was not exactly as exciting as watching the morning news, but "Happy Wife = Happy Life"... Her next move...

I have yet to see a Pileated Woodpecker. I know they're in the neighborhood, but they are even more shy than the Northern Flicker! Hoping to grab a good shot of one!

They are very cool when they fly. First time I saw one I was like "what the heck is that!" You really can't see it in the photos (except the bottom of the tail) but they have yellow shafts on their feathers (they are also known as the Yellow Shaft Flicker) so flying in the sun they actually...

My son and daughter-in-law wanted to give me a very special Christmas gift this year - so they spray painted horses silver, wrote a Blanton's letter on each and glued them onto a Menards yardstick. I will covet this as much as the real Blanton's bottle top collection... :cool:

Had a Northern Flicker show up at the feeders a few days ago. Could not believe how close he was to me. By far the best photo I've captured of one!

Oh you guys... Thank you all for the well wishes! I hope everyone had a very healthy and happy holiday season and new year. Here's to another great year on CP!

It's great to see you're still around! I keep seeing these CP ghosts pop up from time to time! And still harassing CC86 - his beloved Astros were destroyed in the World Series and I will not let him forget it! 🤣

Latest group of birds around the feeders. The Bluejay has been absent for a month or so, but showed back up again yesterday. A very rare sighting for us at the feeders of a White Throated Sparrow and the Junco's are back and settling in for the upcoming winter months.

Completely agree on the Four Roses. I was definitely surprised when someone suggested I pick that up, but they were spot on. And there are others that are equally as good or better than some of the outrageously priced "collectors" bourbons. One I found recently that is one of my go-to's (if...

My apologies if I did. I was going through my photos and liked the shots. Wanted to share them with my brothers on CP!!! BTW - my son was married Friday evening and the venue where it was held had a strong connection to BT. I was stunned to find EH Taylor Barrel Strength Rye behind the...

Buffalo Trace Distillery - Frankfort, KY. Did a tour a few weeks ago, and caught some great shots. The barrels are located in Warehouse C - and are the best of the best in the warehouse (EH Taylor, Pappy's, etc).