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Pumpkin Season at the House of Zen: A Feast for the Fauna

Pumpkin season has come and gone once again, leaving behind fond memories and a host of wildlife delights. Here at the House of Zen, we ensure that every pumpkin is put to good use in a way that celebrates the natural world around us. Our tradition involves hollowing out at least one pumpkin and filling it with wild bird feed. This simple act transforms our autumnal decoration into a…

#chipmunk #nature #pumpkin #wildlife #woodpecker

Bear Necessities and Trail Restoration

It’s been quite a while since we’ve had a furry visitor at Garden Studio. Imagine our surprise when we spotted a bear making its way up the familiar game trail. While the sighting was thrilling, it also served as a stark reminder that our little corner of nature had become a bit overgrown. It was clear that the time had come to reclaim our space. So, armed with a weed whacker, hedge trimmer,…

Restaurant-Worthy Photos with Your iPhone: Food Photography Tips

These days, everyone is a food photographer! In the age of social media, we are constantly bombarded with mouthwatering images of dishes. But how do you take those restaurant-quality photos with just your phone? The good news is that you don’t need fancy equipment to capture stunning food photos. With a little know-how and your trusty iPhone, you can elevate your food snaps to a whole new…

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The Great Squirrel Feeder Caper: Fuzzy Acrobats Take Center Stage

Those of you who follow our Garden Studio adventures know we’ve been happily hosting a variety of feathered visitors at the studio. We’ve had finches flitting about, the occasional chickadee, cardinals, and even a bold Woodpecker who likes to make a grand entrance. It’s always a joy to watch them squawk, preen, and fill their bellies at the feeders I hung with such enthusiasm. Well, nature, it…

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#nature #squirrel #wildlife

Finding Inspiration and Wildlife Wonders at the House of Zen

There’s a constant source of awe in my life: the breathtaking beauty of the natural world. When I bought the House of Zen and built the Garden Studio, it wasn’t just the house itself that drew me in. It was the vibrant symphony of life happening right outside my window. The chance to witness a kaleidoscope of creatures up close was a major reason, if not the biggest reason, for this move. Nature…

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A Flash of Blue, A Flash of Red in the Zen Garden: Spring's Joyful Messengers

Spring has sprung in the Zen Garden, and with it, a new wave of delightful visitors: the bluebirds. These feathered jewels have graced our peaceful space with their vibrant presence, and their arrival carries more than just a touch of beauty. Across cultures and through the ages, the bluebird has held a significant spiritual meaning. In folklore and mythology, it embodies happiness, good luck,…

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Mating Season (part two)

Bobcats breed from February through March. They are polygamous and do not form lasting pair bonds. The young are born after a 62-day gestation period in April or May. Females produce one litter each year consisting of 1–4 kittens, with an average litter size of 2. The female is the exclusive provider and the male does not participate in raising the young. At birth, the kittens are blind and…

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It's Breeding Season (part one)

https://debardeleben.us/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/ppsldcea436376ce49e5-20240204092319360.mp4 Late January through early March is coyote mating season. Coyotes are very active during the winter while courting mates and defending their territory. Coyotes are in every city and town in mainland Massachusetts, meaning the opportunity for human-coyote interaction is high. The mere presence of a coyote…

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Nature's Symphony Through the Lens

Unleashing the Beauty and Urgency of Our Planet As a photographer, I’m not just capturing images, I’m amplifying the symphony of nature. Every click of the shutter is a note in a breathtaking melody, composed by the rustling leaves, the gurgling streams, and the symphony of life that unfolds around us. But this melody is under threat. The very landscapes that ignite my passion – the towering…

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A Leap Forward: Upgrading to the Sony a7R IV After 6 Years with the a7R II"

As technology evolves, so does the pursuit of capturing moments in the highest possible quality. After six fruitful years with the Sony a7R II, the time has come to bid farewell and embrace the future of photography with the Sony a7R IV. This transition wasn’t without its considerations, especially when faced with the choice between Sony and Nikon, both stalwarts in the world of digital…

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#a7r iv #alpha photographers #sony alpha

Waiting for December

So here in Massachusetts, the bear activity grinds to a near halt in December as the bears settle into their dens and drift off into a state called torpor. While torpor is similar to hibernation, it’s not the same. Once the Bears settle down we’ll resume our feeder activity and hopefully get more great shots of our Winter set of birds. I want to give a big shout-out to the folks at B&H Photo…

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So much for Gourd season

Gourds are a versatile and beautiful fruit that can be used for a variety of purposes, we use them as bird feeders. But when bear season begins, it’s time to bring gourd season to a quick end. Bears are omnivores, meaning they eat both plants and animals. And while they’re not typically aggressive toward humans, they will be attracted to any food source they can find. That includes gourds, which…

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It's Finally Gourd Season

As previously mentioned, we like to experiment with natural elements for feeding and photographing birds. One of my personal favorite things to use as feeders are gourds; pumpkins, squash, and anything large enough to hollow out and fill with feed. The squash didn’t really work out as well as I had hoped, but the pumpkins have always been reliable. It took a few days but the Nuthatches have found…

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Blue Jays, Woodpeckers, and Gourds

Here at the Garden Studio, we’re passionate about bird photography and have created a habitat that attracts various bird species, including red-bellied woodpeckers. As we transition into Autumn, we shift our focus to birds such as woodpeckers, cardinals, and bluejays, which are prevalent during this season. We still enjoy visits from tufted titmice, dark-eyed juncos, and black-capped chickadees,…

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Photographing Downy Woodpeckers

Downy Woodpeckers are small, active birds that are often seen foraging for insects in trees. They are also known for their distinctive drumming sound, which they use to communicate and defend their territory. Downy Woodpeckers can be a challenge to photograph, but with a little patience and planning, it is possible to capture some great images of these fascinating birds. Here are some tips for…

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Do you need a new camera

There are a few things to consider when deciding if you need a new camera: The age of your current camera. If your camera is more than 5 years old, it may be time for an upgrade. Technology has advanced significantly in recent years, and newer cameras offer better image quality, performance, and features. Your needs as a photographer. If you’re a serious photographer who is looking to improve…

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Forget the "Rules" of Photography and Shoot the Way You Want

When you’re first starting out in photography, it can be tempting to follow all the “rules.” You want to make sure your photos are technically correct, with good composition and exposure. But as you get more experienced, you’ll start to realize that the rules are meant to be broken. There is no one right way to take a photo. What matters most is that you express yourself creatively and capture…

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