Most of my landscapes are of mountains so I don't often use a wide angle. But, when I do need one I have to have it, an example being of a slot canyon. So it depends on the type of landscape photography you do but I would suspect that sooner or later you will need that wide angle.

I've never been to Fenton Lake or that area but am considering camping there for a few days during the fall color. Would you recommend it? TIA.

I cannot think of any more noble profession than a pediatric nurse practitioner and compliments to your grandmother that you became one because of her influence. As a retired pediatrician I have the upmost admiration and respect for both of you. The careers of both of you truly helped, in your grandmothers case, and in your case are currently helping, your fellow humans in wonderful ways.

Marty is also one of my all time favorites. I lived in Nashville in the mid-1960s and he was very popular then. One thing about him that isn't widely known is that he owned a race car and drove it in week end races, at the fairgrouds I think.

There is no rule that only the OP benefits from posts on a forum. Other individuals may also. And what is pontificating and what is stating an opinion? Seems to me that is clearly a judgment matter, depending on the interests of the posters. Perhaps the IQ could be cut a little slack - after all, perhaps he or she died of a heart attack a few hours after the original post!! Yes, unlikely (although we actually do not know anything about the situation) but it seems to me that this thread has involved a lot of hyper-criticism!

After all, does a little kindness ever do any harm??

Sony RX 100 VI or VII. It is very small, I believe same 1 inch sensor as the Sony RX 10, ourstanding IQ, zoom to 200 mm.

I have very occasionally seen the larger bird do a somersault and threaten the smaller bird with the larger birds talons. But I have never seen one actually grab the smaller bird. It is a mystery to me why the smaller birds want to harass the hawks and eagles but it happens quite a lot.

The children's book, Rufous Redtail, about the growing up of a young Redtail Hawk, actually discusses this. Rufous uses the somersault technique successfully and the small birds start leaving him alone. My favorite book growing up and I still have my copy.

If my memory is correct awhile back you posted on your efforts to photograph hummers without any distracting objects in the photos. You have become a master of that!! I'm a landscape shooter myself and don't even try BIF photos but I love Hummers and greatly admire your photos of them. Thanks for posting them

Thanks for the reply. If it wasn't a Poplar Hawk Moth it sure is similar. I've never seen that species of moth so have not history to compare it to. What weard wings!!

This very odd appearing insect spent some time on one or our window screens. I have never seen one like it. This is in the Colorado Rocky Mountains. Sorry I don't have some different angles, etc., or better quality, but this was done in a rush. I'm guessing it is nocturnal because of how it behaved. The wings are very large and oddly shaped and that is mostly what can be seen in the photo. Thanks for any replies.

An excellent source of a wide range of information about Hmmingbirds is the Smithzonian National Zoo website. However even they do not have any info on how high to place feeders, at least not that I could find. But they do provide answers to many questions about Hummingbirds that I have found useful.

https://nationalzoo.si.edu/migratory-birds/hummingbird-nectar-recipe#:~:text=Mix%201%20part%20sugar%20with,be%20stored%20in%20a%20refrigerator

It depends on your environment but I would say as high as you can practically get them. In my environment, here in the Colorado mountains, we have bear, deer, and squirrels, all of which have been know to tear feeders off there mounts and they wind up on the ground (and I mean I have experienced that happening with all three animals). If you don't have such problems where you live the height is less important but I will still recommend as high as practical - I think the birds prefer a good distance from the ground also, being less vulnerable than if feeders are very low.

The directions to boil the sugar water are debatable. Other authoratative sources of this information state it isn't necessary. I simply wash the feeders with very hot water between fill ups and certainly seem to have all healthy birds.

I'll take the Canon 49mm. PayPal payment ok?

WOW!! I had not idea Rufous Redtail was a collectibe. It was given to me when I was 11 years old by a great aunt and her son, my second cousin. I plan to read it to my two grand daughters (5 and 3) when they are a little older.

Thanks very much for the info, although my copy is quite beat up as an 11 year old would do and is inscribed by the two people who gave it to me. But I would never want to sell it anyway since we consider it a family heirloom to be passed down to succeeding generations.

Mike