Outside my window...

The view from our balcony: the local grey heron, perched on a branch in a giant willow tree. The tree lost dozens of branches in the recent storms that felled trees in England, the Netherlands and much of Northern Europe.

"I spy, with my little eye..." Remember the childhood game, particularly useful on long road trips, while your parents drove?

Click photos to view detail. Images shot with the SonyA55 - a little camera that packs a big punch. I bought it a couple of years ago, to pop into my handbag when I didn't want to carry my "serious" (and heavy) camera gear. But the A55 languished in a drawer until recently, when I began experimenting with its lightning-fast continuous shooting modes. It's not a camera I'd use on assignment, but it's good for walking-around and experimenting with video, etc.

Comments

[Tara Bradford]

Thanks, Jeanie. If only the swans would come back - they appeared briefly after their summer away, but seem to have vanished again. Hopefully they'll reappear in the cold weather (when they want food). That particular camera doesn't come with a lens attached; I used a zoom lens that I normally use with the Sony A900.

[Tara Bradford]

Marilyn and Helen, thank you! Marilyn, this camera isn't ideal for just tossing into your bag, unless you have a series of lenses.

[jeanie]

These are terrific, Tara. I adore your beautiful big bird! And thanks for the info on the camera. I'm looking for a new purse camera with a good zoom. Mine has been dropped on its head too many times and the focus mechanism is getting wonky. This must have one good zoom -- I know my herons and they're none too happy if you are too close! 12x? More? I need to check it out.

[Helen]

Quite wonderful!

[Marilyn]

Love this bird, tell him he is beautiful from me.
Thanks for the camera recommendation. I gave Jim
my little point and shoot camera and sometimes really
miss it for just that, tossing in the purse.