Osprey

I love watching the osprey. They're birds who seem to tolerate humans pretty well. They allow us into their space and sometimes I like to think they are visiting with me.

This osprey was near Charlo, Mt. I take photos of them when we visit my parents. I got to watch this osprey fishing, he dived into the water five times, then he was exhausted and took a rest. He hadn't caught a fish yet....finally on the sixth dive, he caught a huge catfish.

We've always wondered when we see them flying with a fish, why the head is gone,but they seem to eat the head first. I don't know if that is for practical reasons, or if it's a delicacy to them. I did notice he scooped the eyes out first of all.

I know, poor fish.

It was pure fun to watch this guy fluffing up his beautiful feathers.

Hope you enjoyed seeing him as much as I did!
Donna Ridgway

A little peek into Montana.

A bit of Montana for you....

We found these deer along the Dearborn.  They were young, and curious, and downright perfect for my camera!

We live near the Sun River, which is a popular place for wild geese.  They're nesting now, so there's a lot of activity on and near the river.  I love to sit and watch them posturing, fighting, nesting and raising their families in the Montana landscape.

Not all my photos are about animals....this is a common scene in Montana, an old, junk vehicle. Some people will say, that's junk and needs to be hauled in to the scrap yard, others of us will say, it's cute, leave it alone!  I say my photo tells a great story of older days and older ways...leave the truck alone!  But if you do haul it into Pacific Steel, at least in my photo, it's going to be in this place forever.....

A recent visitor to our bird feeder.  There are days when Robert and I are content to remain at home.  On those days, I entertain my camera with the critters outside my windows.  The curtain at the window in front of this bird feeder is pinned into such tortured patterns!  Most people would enter this house and wonder why on earth someone would do that to a curtain!  But it's the perfect camouflage for me and my camera.  If I don't hide in some way, the birds and squirrels don't stick around very long and I can't catch anything!  Some days, I wear my camo clothes inside the house so I'm hidden from their view. :)  It does help.

I hope you've enjoyed the photos.  If you'd like to purchase my work, you can find it here, in Donna Ridgway's Gallery.  Photos can be ordered in many sizes, on paper or canvas, or as notecards.  The pricing is affordable and shopping is easy and secure.  If there's an image you see on my blogs, or on my facebook page, that you would like to order, but it isn't on the site, let me know and I can upload it.

Wishing you a wonderful day...

Donna

Osprey looking down at you!

How'd you like to be supper for an osprey?  Here's a bit of how it would feel...

Autumn Leaves, Forces of Nature, a card design.

Here's a link to purchasing this card...

I captured this image at a lake near Helena, Montana, and it inspired these words:
Wind and water
Waves and the sea
Limbs and leaves
Part of the tree
Forces of nature
Like you and me

I've combined the image with the words to create this card on my Red Bubble gallery.  Hope you like it and if you have occasion to need a very special card for someone you love, remember this one kindly...:)

Today, I'd like to give you, the peace which being in nature brings me.
Donna

Antelope photos.

We found these little guys just north of Cascade, Montana. They ran alongside the truck for a while, then they stopped to look at us. They blend into the prairie so well, their coloring is exactly like the land where they live.
Donna Ridgway

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Eagle on a post. Nature photos.

Watching this eagle take flight was so interesting. As it happens, I captured the instant his talons left the post. That was exciting. He was so huge, standing on the ground, he probably would have come up to my chin! These guys give you such dirty looks when you try walking toward them, it's fun to imagine what they might be thinking.
Donna Ridgway

Old wood. Artist Reference photo for sale.

This is the door to the tack shed at the ranch. My Great Uncle Bob, built this shed, with his one hand. Actually, he had part of his left hand, but no fingers...he didn't let that hold him back.

This building has been on the ranch since homestead days, when he built it. I love the colors in the weathered wood.
Donna Ridgway

Four screen saver images.

I had carousel horses on my computer screen saver, but I exchanged them for some wildlife photos from my personal collection. As I see the images float onto the screen, I get a kick out of the animals... It actually reminds me of the day we took the photos, where we ate our lunch, and how far we traveled to get the photos.

You wouldn't have those memories tied up in these photos, but you might enjoy seeing the wildlife. Perhaps you'd love to have wildlife near you, and you live in a city. This screensaver would fulfill your longings to be near the animals themselves.

This screensaver, has 28 images on it now, and I might add a few more. You can see four more of the photos on my studio blog. There's a skunk with a big fluffy tail, a bull elk and some others...

Screensaver is for sale, for $15 and that includes shipping. It comes on a cd. Email me at artistreferencephotos@gmail.com if you'd like one.
Donna Ridgway

Black Bear photo for sale. Artist reference photo.

This bear was so cute, trying to figure out how to get closer to the chokecherries! I posted photos of him this summer, when we first saw him, but I'm revisiting some photo files, so decided I'd post another of this guy.

That perfect heart on his chest is kind of awesome!
Donna Ridgway

wlhat kind of bird is this?

I can't exactly find him in my bird book. He was here, in deep snow, in Montana. And he seemed to be enjoying the snow. He rolled in it, fluffed his feathers in it, ran all around acting silly. He was so cute. But I can't figure out who he is.

If you know, drop me a comment?
Donna Ridgway

Elk watching the Deer go by.

I think it's so fun to see these elk, watching a herd of mule deer go by. Wonder what they're thinking? What ever it was that scared the mule deer, didn't worry the elk, they never did move off. I'm intensely interested in watching animals to see what they're going to do next. Click this image to see a larger version.
My photos are copyrighted and may not be copied or used without my permission.
Donna Ridgway

Cute foal, artist reference photo for sale.

Look at the wispy mane on this foal, it's so cute. He's a flashy little baby, with his blaze face and sleepy eyed look.

It's still January, but I must be thinking of spring things! Little baby things....
Donna Ridgway

Mule deer bucks, artist reference photo for sale.

The deer are more relaxed now hunting season is over. These mule deer took time to look us over while we took photos of them. They've still got their antlers. I only saw them this one time, so I'm glad I got several photos.
Donna Ridgway

Tell me this isn't cute? Reference photo of angus calf for sale.

This calf is a few days old. She was born in the middle of 30 below zero weather. Lucky for her, she was born inside a good calving barn. The day I took this photo, the temperature was 50 above. Even at that, she laid close to a pile of tires, soaking up the heat they radiated. She's so cute, maybe you want to create your next painting from her image?
Donna Ridgway

Another curlew.

This one is looking for something to eat..I hope he found it! Look at his knobby knees...I think they're cute.

Curlew walking, reference photo.

Another long legged, long beaked bird. Click the photo to see a larger version. Remember, photos posted here on the internet are not as clear as those you'll receive for your paintings.
Donna Ridgway

Dappled buckskin grazing in the sunshine. Artist reference photo for sale.

This photo has been cropped to get rid of useless detail. If you need a good reference of a horse grazing in the background, here's your photo. His coloring is interesting, he makes a good point of interest.
Donna Ridgway

Long beaked bird.

I love these prairie birds. I can sit and watch them for hours. The patterns on their feathers are so interesting, and each species of birds has such different habits.
Donna Ridgway

Bird on a post.

For those of you who love to paint birds, this little guy is colorful and cheerful. I like the way birds can grip the smallest post top. It's kind of amazing how they can hang on comfortably.
Donna Ridgway