Hello from Texas

[HelenB]

Thanks, Steve for sending me the note about this new forum.
Although I've lived in Texas (near Houston) for nearly 10 years, I'm actually English, and originally came from Penrith, on the edge of the English Lake District. I enjoy visiting my family & seeing some "different" birds whenever I can get over the pond for a holiday. I've been birding seriously for about 10 years and like to take bird photos. Now that I've got the Nikon CoolPix 4500 & Swarovski AT80HD combination, I will hopefully be able to post some of my digiscoped pix in the future. My Olympus C-700UZ (with 10x optical zoom) takes great photos of my garden birds - check them out on my website: http://helensbirds.homestead.com

I've just returned from a trip to Anchorage, followed by an Alaskan cruise. Now have hundreds of images to work on, so look out for some posts in the next couple of weeks!

[IanF]

You're a long way from home HelenB, but a big welcome to the birdforum.
I see that you were originally from my end of the country. I am infact from Barnard Castle myself, just across the Pennines from Penrith though I live further east now. I visit Penrith pretty regularly and in fact still have relatives living there :) We're always popping over to the Lake District for the weekend and always amke a point of stopping off at the town.
It would be a big coincidence if you recent Alaskan cruise was on the MV Mercury 28th July-4th August as I have some friends who went along on that one :)
Great pics on the website, it was a pleasure to read through.

[HelenB]

Hi Ian,
No we weren't on the Mercury - we were on the Ocean Princess, 3rd-10th August. We had a wonderful time. I'm presently writing up a report on the possibilities of birding while on a cruise. We actually got about 70 species. Would it be appropriate to post it on one of the forums here?
Thanks for looking at my website - did you find my new one on Nature Photography, too?
http://naturephotography.homestead.com
I wanted to upload photos of butterflies, mammals, etc, so thought it would be better to have a different website and keep my first one for birding related topics.

[burhinus]

Hello HelenB

Welcome from me to the bird forum.

Please do send us your sightings! We are always interested in learning what is around, and maybe going green with envy.

burhinus

[IanF]

Hi Helen. Shame about the different liner, but sounds like you had a great time. 70 species is excellent and feel free to post your observations in the forums. Birding cruises are increasing in popularity over here and your report is likely to generate a lot of interest.
I like the new website too. It's simple style is pleasing to view and your comments and observations make easy reading too :)

[Colin]

Hello HelenB,
Thanks for the correspondence on digiscoping and for signing my guestbook. Look forward to see how you are progessing with the 'snapper'. I am getting a few more pictures and I think that I am getting better with the said piece of kit.


Colin

[bigbadja]

We meet again Helen.
Your encouragement and advice has inspired my jump into digiscoping. I should have the scope within a fortnight.
I look forward to following your birding experiences through this site.
Regards
Robert, Australia