… one of the funnest things in photographing birds is to get the launches into flight and also the landings. Birds have control over their feathers and are able to shape their wings to give them absolute precision flight in every aspect of it. The fledgling Osprey above is using all his newfound skill to make a landing on a very small branch … tail feathers fully fanned out and the wings providing braking power as he extends his legs and talons to grip the branch he is just making contact with … zero speed as he grips, flexes his legs to absorb the final vestiges of flight and assume a perch on the branch … every feather has a purpose and he uses them for a great result.
Below is a Raven up canyon leaving his perch on a branch for some food he spotted on the ground … Ravens and Crows are among the most intelligent creatures in nature. They can make tools to complete tasks and have memories that they pass on to subsequent generations. Crows have a “vocabulary” of 250 different sounds.
Back down to Phoenix tomorrow and that means an early dinner at T Cook’s restaurant at the Royal Palms Resort on Camelback … one of the finest restaurants I have ever visited. The food is excellent, and the ambiance and service are second to none. If you decide to try it out and make reservations, ask for Megan or Kim to be your server. I try to visit there six or more times a year. Do not expect any signage as there is none … do expect an exceptional dining experience!
Have a beautiful day … smile and keep breathing! Life is so precious!
Cheers,
Ted
If the noise of the city offend you, go afield, when
you may, with the birds and the wild, free life that
troubles not;
The growing grain and the placid sky have a kind of
voice; and though you are alone, the boundlessness of
the universe is with you.
The dream of imperishable passions in old history,
the love of mothers for children, and the love of
children, born and unborn, and all love, swarm in the soft
air, speaking to the inner ear in the still language.
Go afield with the birds and the growing grain and
the placid sky, and dream and forget; and you will see
that you are changed when you awake and the gleams
of the city peep in your twilight returning.
The Noise of the City by Max Ehrmann
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The easiest way to reach Mr. Grussing is by email: ted@tedgrussing.com
In addition to sales of photographs already taken Ted does special shoots for patrons on request and also does air-to-air photography for those who want photographs of their airplanes in flight. All special photographic sessions are billed on an hourly basis.
Ted also does one-on-one workshops for those interested in learning the techniques he uses. By special arrangement Ted will do one-on-one aerial photography workshops which will include actual photo sessions in the air.
More about Ted Grussing …