Photo credit: SAM, www.SaltRiverWildHorses.com
Lately, I've spent some afternoons helping to pack & mail orders for the Salt River Wild Horses 2013 Calendar. Proceeds go the Society for the Preservation of the Salt River Horse, the 501(c)(3) non-profit organization (status pending) whose intent is to establish a legally protected status (long overdue!) & assist with future management of our unique Salt River wild herd.
Photo credit: www.SaltRiverWildHorses.com
It so happens that the first, eighth, eleventh and twelfth photos in this calendar are mine. Part of my Salt River obsession lies in my desire to photograph & share images of these wild horses, in hopes of earning public attention and action to ensure their future welfare.
And by the way, calendars are still available for order here. But quantities may be limited, so if you want one, order soon!
Apart from the satisfaction I've derived from contributing to the calendar project, I earned another significant reward -- an opportunity to photograph a colorful little hummingbird visitor to the backyard of calendar wizard & devoted birder Peggy Thomas.
Peggy Thomas put the calendar together & got it produced & took all the orders & headquartered the packing and shipping at her home. And so I was lucky enough to take a break from packing Saturday afternoon and get some photos of this little guy.
I suspect this tiny Broad-billed male hummingbird recognized a gentle, nature-loving soul when he saw one. These hummingbirds are rarely seen around Phoenix, but this one has recently chosen to hang out in Peggy's backyard.
Smart little guy.