This is a diary of the adventures of two zebra finches, with some other miscellaneous information about the escapades of their companion and ghost writer.

Wednesday, January 27, 2010


Daryl and Darryl were so annoyed while I was putting that background paper into their apartment, and then I couldn't figure out how to get them to come to the correct perch for their end-of-January photo. Our portrait session settled down, though, when I realized that food would be the thing to calm them, and get them to the right place . A new dowel perch, few holes drilled for their food cup, some millet seeds (which they love), and voila!

I used a large softbox about 300 watt-seconds, very close to their house, and a Canon 100mm macro lens on a Canon 5D.

Tuesday, January 19, 2010



So that Daryl and Darryl will have a place to sit in order to get warm--especially after having a bath--I've attached a small lamp to their domicile. Above is Daryl soaking up some rays.

Friday, January 8, 2010

Cozy Nest


I had to sneak into the darkened living room to make this photo, but Daryl was having none of it; he hopped out of the nest and onto a more distant perch. Darryl, however, wasn't going to give up his warm spot atop those bits of string lining the nest, so he stayed for this (flash) photo op.

Earlier in the afternoon we three shared a golden delicious apple. mmmm

Tuesday, January 5, 2010

www.Strauski.etsy.com

I think I will add the New Year photo of Daryl and Darryl to my collection for sale at the address above--where I am known as Strauski.  Have a look.

New Year Photo


Daryl (on the left) and Darryl (peeking from the corner) in their New Year photo. The string is from a nest, on a platform above, made of a huge heap of string bits. The nest on which Daryl is perched has in it a few bits of string, but they seem to prefer the platform (more heat up higher in this cold weather?). Someone said that Daryl seems to be gaining weight, but I think he is merely fluffed up in the less than tropical temperature of my apartment.

Saturday, January 2, 2010

Princeton University

I left Daryl and Darryl in the care of The Cat Lady, and I went on a little holiday, including a visit to the museum on the lovely campus of Princeton University. I enjoyed a photo exhibition of the work of Emmet Gowin, and some mosaics from Greece and Rome, and especially some small glass bottles from Asia.

When making photos of stuff in glass cases, as these bottles were, turn off the flash on your camera, set the light balance for tungsten (probably), press the lens against the glass, and push the shutter button. You'll make very nice pictures. I made these with my phone.