A Quick Update from Channel Shawn

A quick update on our animal friends!

Our apartment offers us a central view of the courtyard. 

From our living room window we can see most of what is going on in the courtyard. 

We also have a big bush OR a little tree that grows in front of our kitchen window,

 which is located at the back of our apartment.

We also have a better view of out back from our bedroom window. 

Soooo we've got all the basic angles covered for optimum entertainment.

 Much like our friend Mr. Surly Squirrel, we have other little critters that stop by and say hello.

The other day we were graced with a female Cardinal singing away in the bush/tree.

To be honest, it is very difficult to photograph animal life through a window. 

This is doubly so when there is a screen behind the window.

 So auto-focus is not your friend.

 THEN you have to fight trough tons of branches and leaves to be able to focus properly. 

With only several seconds to get a shot, you are VERY limited. 

You also don't want to make too much noise.

Otherwise you run the risk of scaring off your subject.

Our living room window also offers up good entertainment. 

We get a great view of the courtyard. 

In the courtyard you can witness the daily activities of not only your neighbors who aren't afraid to go outside, but also the the daily routines of all the little critters.

We have a variety of birds that stop by, like the cardinal,we have THE SQUIRRELS, 

and also the cousin to the squirrels - CHIPMUNKS!!

I was able to click off two not so blurry shots in my attempts to photograph this little guy. Chipmunks are very very quick. So the difficulty of focusing against the elements, as described above, is multiplied! Ahhh!

I had mere milliseconds to get the shot! 

The two non-blurriest shots even needed a bit of sharpening in photoshop. 

This is most likely due to the fact I had to use my zoom lens that isn't digital!  

At least I got something out of it!

Look how cute this little guy is! 

It looks as if he is praying to the sun!

"Thank you Mr. Sun for being so bright and warm after a cold night!"

Shortly after this shot, he sprang over the ivy and ran off.

 he was too fast for my shutter finger!