My First Blog Post! Here we go!!

Well, here it is. The launch of Wanderlust Images - Palm Springs! A culmination of many roads traveled, many hats worn and finally settling into being a “woman of a certain age” and discovering a passion for photography. I had always talked about getting a camera but had always found an excuse as to why I didn’t have time to do it! So, after leaving the chaos that is Los Angeles and Project Management for a quieter pace in Palm Springs, I found the time to finally buy that camera I had always talked about and learn about photography. Of course I did what everyone does who knows nothing about photography equipment, I went big and jumped right into a Nikon d500 with a Sigma 400mm and Nikon 40mm lens that were quickly named Harmony (camera) Rhyme (Sigma lens) and Reason (Nikon lens). Thank the Universe for YouTube, photographer friends and photographers I encounter on the road who have always taken the time to show me that one new trick, that one new setting that will do this and that! I am quickly finding harmony w/ Harmony and learning something new each and every day.

My love of birding is even more fulfilling now that I can capture one of a kind shots of gorgeous birds, my favorite. I have become fond of two species. Hummingbirds, of which I have a huge presence of Anna’s Hummingbirds and Costa’s Hummingbirds in my garden. I call them all “Sassy Pants” as they let me know in no uncertain terms when the food isn’t exactly to their tastes or a feeder is empty. I can have up to 20 birds milling around either on one of three feeders, sometimes two birds to one nectar station or lined up waiting their turn while buzzing my head morning and night. I’ve come to know certain birds. There are older males and younger ones asserting their new found dominance in “feeder guarding”. I have an older male who has lost a flight feather and sounds like the “Jetson’s Car” (for those of you who remember the Jetsons) and I’m pleased when I hear him. And all the females, in all their gorgeous green! I love these little birds. Another species I love to photograph are Acorn Woodpeckers. These birds have great aerobatics! Who knew! They will sit high on a dead tree that they store acorns in and wait for bugs. They then fly off the tree and dive w/ wings tucked in and then swoop straight up, wings still tucked in and catch bugs mid-air. It is something to see. I have managed to catch a few mid-flight meals of which will be posted on this site. They are so much fun to watch and hard to photograph, so when I get a good shot in flight, it is exhilarating. And with their gorgeous black and white markings, along w/ that red cap on their heads and white eye, they are striking birds to see.

And bees! Bees are a close second to birds. I’ve put my macro lens on (Reason) and literally climbed into bushes w/ hundreds of bees collecting pollen. All the bees behave (so far) and let me take pictures of them as they collect all that pollen and keep our Earth growing. They are so important.

So, again - welcome! I’m glad you are here! Please feel free to leave comments below on any thing you would like to see photographed or suggestions on a good birding location or any location you have found magic. I’m always up for new roads!

Please visit my Purchase Journey Images page and see if there is an image you would like to have on your wall. They are all available for purchase.

This first blog is dedicated to four beautiful, strong women in my life. Kym, for being my sister and soulmate, Kit for keeping “no you don’t” in my brain for creative purposes, Mary for making sure I stay laser focused in my endeavors and Tisa for her voice making sure everything is as it should be. I am grateful for you all.

Thanks for joining me! Here we go!