Hungry Hummingbirds – A WPC Collage

“In order to see birds it is necessary to become a part of the silence.”

Robert Lynd

ZONED IN

ALOFT

SOARING

SINGING

WINGED

FLUTTERING BY

This week as we continued our travels we spent time in the Colorado mountains. While we had many excellent adventures 🙂 I’m featuring a very special element of the visit. My brother and sister-in-law’s home outside of Denver is at about 8,000 feet and is a favorite stopping point for hummingbirds. I spent time watching and shooting these amazing little creatures and while I didn’t have the equipment necessary to really capture them, I was able to get close enough to create some interesting textures. In response to this week’s challenge, I’m including a collage of some of my favorites. Hope you enjoy my impressions of these fast-moving beauties!

Tags: hummingbird, weekly photo challenge

101 thoughts on “Hungry Hummingbirds – A WPC Collage”

Val on August 13, 2017 at 7:50 pm said:

I’m always envious of people who have access to hummingbirds as I live in a place that doesn’t have them at all (Wales, UK). I’ve only ever seen them in photos and videos and to my eye, they are wonderful! I love your collage.

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- Tina Schell on August 14, 2017 at 8:34 am said:
  
  Thanks Val! We have very few here but my brother’s place, which is high in the mts of Colorado, has a constant stream of them! >
  
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bluebrightly on August 7, 2017 at 8:58 pm said:

Tina, it looks like you really had fun with these! Sorry I’m late getting here, but better late than never, especially when you do something completely unexpected, like this. 🙂

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David on July 18, 2017 at 5:41 pm said:

Hope you’re enjoying your time here in Colorado. The hummers are quite fast when they descend upon a feeder. I tend to favor the stake-out method, watch the feeder for about an hour or so with camera in hand. Not the most reliable method since it is like watching for the kettle to boil. 🙂

Continued safe travels and good adventures.

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Ruth on July 18, 2017 at 4:20 pm said:

They are all beauties. Wondrous creatures!

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norasphotos4u on July 17, 2017 at 11:12 am said:

There really turned out quite pretty. Nice work

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- Tina Schell on July 17, 2017 at 11:13 am said:
  
  Thanks Nora – you know what they say…Necessity is the mother of invention! >
  
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Andy Allen on July 17, 2017 at 11:02 am said:

Tina

As always great pictures. I’m glad you didn’t have the “right” equipment. You may not have captured this Impressionist painting look.

Hope your trip is going well.

Andy

_____

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- Tina Schell on July 17, 2017 at 11:04 am said:
  
  Aww, thanks Andy. I hadn’t thought of it that way. It did make me revisit my quickly eroding photoshop layers skills :-). Having a great summer, hope the same for you. >
  
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Photography Journal Blog on July 17, 2017 at 1:54 am said:

Very nice and creative use of your images. I love watching hummingbirds.

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- Tina Schell on July 17, 2017 at 10:55 am said:
  
  Thanks PJB – they’re amazing to watch. I was stunned at how quickly such tiny creatures could devour a huge amount of sugar water!
  
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Kathy Keane on July 16, 2017 at 8:46 pm said:

This summer was going to be the ultimate Hummingbird photo. I planted bee balm, salvia, and several other plants in the garden surrounding a hummingbird feeder. I positioned my camera at the window on a timer. They do come but only for a couple of seconds. It is impossible to get a decent picture much less multiple photos of this elusive bird. Would your brother mind visitors. 😏

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- Tina Schell on July 17, 2017 at 10:33 am said:
  
  LOL Kathy! They’re elusive little devils aren’t they?!?! >
  
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quarksire on July 16, 2017 at 3:29 pm said:

awesome 🙂

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- Tina Schell on July 17, 2017 at 10:55 am said:
  
  Thanks Quarksire!
  
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Andrew Seal on July 16, 2017 at 1:42 pm said:

Just wonderful Tina. Each one perfect and your applied textures pure magic. Congrats 🙂

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- Tina Schell on July 17, 2017 at 10:56 am said:
  
  You are most generous Andrew, many thanks! Hope you’re enjoying a wonderful summer.
  
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  - Andrew Seal on July 18, 2017 at 9:52 am said:
    
    We are indeed: hot, hot, hot. Sadly however thousands have been evacuated from the interior due to fires.
Sumith on July 16, 2017 at 12:35 pm said:

It’s hard to capture humming birds. You done it beautifully!

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- Tina Schell on July 16, 2017 at 12:43 pm said:
  
  Thanks very much Sumith
  
  Sent from my iPhone
  
  >
  
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Laura Bloomsbury on July 15, 2017 at 11:13 am said:

your sensational project had me humming and soaring – interesting textures too

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- Tina Schell on July 15, 2017 at 12:48 pm said:
  
  Awww, thanks Laura. You made my day!
  
  Sent from my iPhone
  
  >
  
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Dahlia on July 15, 2017 at 10:46 am said:

A beautiful collage of amazing shots.

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- Tina Schell on July 15, 2017 at 12:47 pm said:
  
  Many thanks Dahlia!
  
  Sent from my iPhone
  
  >
  
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margaret21 on July 15, 2017 at 8:56 am said:

Beautiful, expressive images.

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- Tina Schell on July 15, 2017 at 10:21 am said:
  
  Many thanks Margaret
  
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Linda Wyatt on July 15, 2017 at 8:44 am said:

T…. we are in Montana where the hummingbirds are larger and more. Numerous than ever! How in the world you caught these rapid little creatures is amazing… love this very creative post!

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- Tina Schell on July 15, 2017 at 10:20 am said:
  
  EVERYTHING is bigger and more abundant in Montana, don’t you think???!!!! Is the canola still in bloom? It was SO beautiful when we visited. Have a ball and thanks for taking the time to stop by!
  
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Dsupp on July 15, 2017 at 7:14 am said:

Ummm .. yes T you really did capture them ! !
I saw my first hummingbird this summer out by my new feeder😊& I quickly pulled out my camera … no luck …they disappear too fast for me! So I will just happily enjoy my window view along with your talent that brings us such awesome photos! Thanks !!

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- Tina Schell on July 15, 2017 at 10:19 am said:
  
  Thanks Diane – I’d love to have captured them properly with the right equipment but was happy to get anything at all considering their speed! I had to work especially hard to keep the feeder and the house out of the shots!
  
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Jane Iwan on July 15, 2017 at 6:38 am said:

Beautiful shots of those fast-moving little creatures, Tina. Like the collage effect.

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- Tina Schell on July 15, 2017 at 10:18 am said:
  
  Thanks Jane – they’re a challenge to capture that’s for sure!
  
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happyface313 on July 15, 2017 at 6:33 am said:

🙂 Tina,
this is a really beautiful collage!
Enjoy your stay in Colorado. It’s been way too long since I’ve been there!
Have a very HAPPY weekend 🙂

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- Tina Schell on July 15, 2017 at 10:17 am said:
  
  Thanks Claudia – and a happy weekend to you too!
  
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Mary Lynn on July 14, 2017 at 10:53 pm said:

Seeing hummingbirds is such a joyful thing! Their fluttering wings are amazing….. How lucky to have seen and captured so
many, so beautifully displayed! 8000 ft eh! Wow! I’m impressed 🙂

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- Tina Schell on July 15, 2017 at 10:10 am said:
  
  I agree ML, they’re amazing to watch. The thing that amazed me, beyond their beauty and speed of course, was how quickly they polished off the sugar water. Once it was gone they’d fly directly in front of the glass door and stare at us, as if to say OK folks, time for a refill LOL!
  
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Mabel Kwong on July 14, 2017 at 10:42 pm said:

Stunning. Simply stunning and each shot a winner. Love the sepia tones that you added in as well, a really lovely collage. Imagine getting to see these every day…what a treat. Safe travels and happy holidays 😊

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- Tina Schell on July 15, 2017 at 10:09 am said:
  
  Many thanks Mabel – I had fun working to find the right background for each little beauty so appreciate your comment on the tones. I told my brother if they were as plentiful where I lived I’d never put my camera down 🙂 Appreciate your visit as always
  
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aekshots on July 14, 2017 at 10:16 pm said:

Great idea Tina…love what you did with these shots. The backgrounds are a perfect fit. Well done 🙂

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- Tina Schell on July 15, 2017 at 10:07 am said:
  
  Thanks Andy – sometimes the right texture can save what might have otherwise been headed for the reject pile :-). Glad you enjoyed.
  
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Beauty Along the Road on July 14, 2017 at 9:36 pm said:

I love the subtle backgrounds you gave each of your hummers, very nicely done.

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- Tina Schell on July 15, 2017 at 10:04 am said:
  
  Thanks Annette – I tried not to overpower them as they’re quite beautiful on their own. Thanks for stopping by.
  
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april kanew on July 14, 2017 at 8:54 pm said:

just gorgeous Tina…love ‘fluttering by’….they r very special birds!!!😘 great eye as always!! enjoy!!!

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- Tina Schell on July 15, 2017 at 10:03 am said:
  
  Thanks April. I enjoyed watching them despite the complexity of capturing the speedy little devils!
  
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lensandpensbysally on July 14, 2017 at 8:52 pm said:

Marvelous…summer’s jewels.

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- Tina Schell on July 15, 2017 at 10:02 am said:
  
  Thanks Sally, they are indeed. Well said.
  
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Cayman Thorn on July 14, 2017 at 7:39 pm said:

What a lovely collage!

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- Tina Schell on July 15, 2017 at 9:59 am said:
  
  Thanks Cayman.
  
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Jane Lurie on July 14, 2017 at 6:58 pm said:

Creative and inventive collages, Tina. Such amazing and fast birds and you’ve captured them well. You’ve made them into paintings!

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- Tina Schell on July 15, 2017 at 9:57 am said:
  
  Thanks Jane! Quite the test of patience and perseverance – you know how that goes!
  
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Ladybuggz on July 14, 2017 at 6:37 pm said:

Beautiful Tina! I love my hummingbirds and your photo’s with the backgrounds are wonderful! 🙂 I’ve been taking photo’s of the Hummingbirds all week, some of the young ones are making appearances! 🙂

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- Tina Schell on July 15, 2017 at 9:56 am said:
  
  I googled how to photograph them and quit reading after the part where they explained how to set up 3 separate remote flashes LOL. They’re pretty amazing little creatures – lucky you to have them nearby. I had to travel halfway across the country and up to the top of a mountain for my views!!!
  
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  - Ladybuggz on July 15, 2017 at 1:18 pm said:
    
    I don’t think you need all that equipment! I just take snaps while I sit on my porch! 🙂
dorannrule on July 14, 2017 at 6:25 pm said:

Your collage is great! Looking at the pictures before I read your text I thought they were all watercolor paintings from the 1800’s. 😊

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- Tina Schell on July 15, 2017 at 9:53 am said:
  
  Wow, now you’ve made my day with this comment Dor! Thanks as always for stopping by.
  
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Laurel on July 14, 2017 at 5:53 pm said:

Amazing photos of amazing creatures! Love how you illustrated them!

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- Tina Schell on July 15, 2017 at 9:49 am said:
  
  Thanks Laurel – just trying to make some lemonade out of lemons LOL.
  
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Dina on July 14, 2017 at 4:32 pm said:

Wonderful creatures and what a good job you did, Tina! Lovely work, love the textures. If I had these beauties outside my window, I’d be glued to the place.

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- Tina Schell on July 15, 2017 at 9:48 am said:
  
  Thanks Dina. I actually WAS pretty much glued to the place LOL. After a second or two the hummingbirds couldn’t have cared less that I was sharing their space, as long as I wasn’t taking any of their sugarwater.
  
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  - Dina on July 16, 2017 at 4:33 am said:
    
    🙂
Albatz Travel Adventures on July 14, 2017 at 4:21 pm said:

Beautiful little creatures – last time one came and checked me out I burst out with , “Hi sweetie.”

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- Tina Schell on July 15, 2017 at 9:42 am said:
  
  Sweet is how they look – but they seemed a bit aggressive toward one another as I watched them travel in and out of the feeder!
  
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Frank Raba on July 14, 2017 at 3:44 pm said:

Glad to see they are still around

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- Tina Schell on July 15, 2017 at 9:39 am said:
  
  As long as there’s sugar water I think they’re there to stay LOL!
  
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Sue on July 14, 2017 at 2:09 pm said:

Beautiful artistic images, Tina!

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- Tina Schell on July 15, 2017 at 9:38 am said:
  
  Thanks very much Sue
  
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  - Sue on July 15, 2017 at 9:55 am said:
    
    You are most welcome!
grammywritesblog on July 14, 2017 at 2:09 pm said:

Six little pieces of art – all rolled into one! Lovely!

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- Tina Schell on July 15, 2017 at 9:38 am said:
  
  Many thanks Grammy!
  
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GlobeTrotters: A Pig's Tale on July 14, 2017 at 1:48 pm said:

God these guys are so hard to get pictures of! Fantastic pictures, thanks for uploading

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- Tina Schell on July 15, 2017 at 9:37 am said:
  
  LOL, you should have seen the ones I threw away :-). Thanks for stopping by!
  
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Svetlana Grobman on July 14, 2017 at 1:34 pm said:

Wonderful images, Tina! BTW, I don’t remember whether I told you how much I enjoyed your Maine photos. They are so wonderful. You obviously had a great time there! Thank you for sharing with the rest of us:) Maine is on bucket list — even more so now that I’ve seen you photos!

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- Tina Schell on July 15, 2017 at 9:33 am said:
  
  Thanks Svetlana. Maine is a beautiful place – quite wild and undeveloped in many places. It takes a hearty soul to brave their winters but then you’d know all about that 🙂
  
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rabirius on July 14, 2017 at 1:33 pm said:

Beautiful.

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- Tina Schell on July 15, 2017 at 9:32 am said:
  
  Thanks Rabirius
  
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Terri Webster Schrandt on July 14, 2017 at 1:13 pm said:

Extraordinary images, Tina! Love the backdrops! Just gorgeous!

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- Tina Schell on July 15, 2017 at 9:31 am said:
  
  Many thanks Terri. Sometimes applying textures is just the thing, especially when nothing else works 🙂
  
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Leslee on July 14, 2017 at 12:46 pm said:

Love the funky composition!

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- Tina Schell on July 14, 2017 at 12:49 pm said:
  
  😍😍 thanks Leslee!
  
  Sent from my iPhone
  
  >
  
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Judy @ NewEnglandGardenAndThread on July 14, 2017 at 12:06 pm said:

There are collages like my daylilies and then there are collages of hummingbirds – you win hands down. 🙂 I love everything about hummingbirds. We have seen a great decline over the past ten years. I may see one or two a summer. So, for you to have been able to catch these beautiful birds as they fly at mock speed, I applaud your skills, and I thank you for sharing – beautiful. Be a good guest so they invite you back for more photo opportunities. 🙂

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Rupali on July 14, 2017 at 11:59 am said:

Amazing Tina. Looks like hand painting.

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- Tina Schell on July 14, 2017 at 12:06 pm said:
  
  Thanks rupali. I wish I were talented enough to paint like that! >
  
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  - Rupali on July 14, 2017 at 12:09 pm said:
    
    You are talented enough to create the magic. Have a nice weekend.
pattimoed on July 14, 2017 at 11:59 am said:

I thoroughly enjoyed your collages! Beautifully executed, Tina! Lovely.

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- Tina Schell on July 14, 2017 at 12:06 pm said:
  
  Thanks Patti! >
  
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robert20359 on July 14, 2017 at 11:52 am said:

hi tina, wonderful and interesting pictures, i love them all.

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- Tina Schell on July 14, 2017 at 12:06 pm said:
  
  Thanks very much Robert >
  
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Alexandria Sage on July 14, 2017 at 11:13 am said:

Really nice, Tina! We enjoy our favorite little visitors every morning on the front porch. They are indeed hard to capture. But despite your lack of equipment you did very well!

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- Tina Schell on July 14, 2017 at 11:18 am said:
  
  Thanks Alexandria – they’re really fascinating creatures, don’t you think?! >
  
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Irene on July 14, 2017 at 11:00 am said:

Impressive! Great job.

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- Tina Schell on July 14, 2017 at 11:24 am said:
  
  Thanks very much Irene.
  
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Amy on July 14, 2017 at 10:50 am said:

So beautifully done, Tina! Hummingbirds are so difficult to capture.

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- Tina Schell on July 14, 2017 at 11:24 am said:
  
  Crazy difficult Amy – I have a friend who did a great job but had 3 remote flashes hooked up to do it! Thanks for stopping by
  
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julieallyn on July 14, 2017 at 10:42 am said:

Very nice!!

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- Tina Schell on July 14, 2017 at 10:48 am said:
  
  Many thanks Julieallyn >
  
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lexklein on July 14, 2017 at 10:27 am said:

So soft and lovely! Did you superimpose the bird photos over some sheet music or other pretty papers? I love your artistry!

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- Tina Schell on July 14, 2017 at 10:44 am said:
  
  Thanks Lex – I started with the bird photos and applied textures on top using Frenchkiss textures in Photoshop. Sometimes a fun exercise 🙂 >
  
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  - lexklein on July 14, 2017 at 11:10 am said:
    
    I just love them!