Yellow Canary #1, by Luke Stephenson

Wednesday greetings, collectors. I can finally feel things shifting into Summer mode, something I welcome with a sigh of relief. It's not as if things have exactly slowed down — we're moving offices (tomorrow!), preparing for the aforementioned Ornithology exhibition and I am off to Madrid on Monday for more photo fun at Photo Espana.

All this plus our ongoing 20x200 curatorial efforts adds up to a hectic pace. But I am most certainly enjoying the sunny days, long-lit evenings and summery treats like soft-serve ice cream and pie. (Who doesn't love pie?!)

Today's ornithological photographic treat comes to us from across the pond, where witty photographer Luke Stephenson has been granting his subjects, be they people or birds, equal importance. Yellow Canary #1 has quite an air about him, don't you think?

I've been besotted with Luke's birds for quite a while now. I fell for his Budgies series a bit over a year ago after seeing them on Meet Me in Ataxia a photography blog that's sadly gone dormant. Fortunately, Ms. Laurel Ptak has kept Luke on my radar via various posts about his projects on i heart photograph. Luke also puts his Flickr stream to good use, featuring himself, his friends and lots of goofy experiments involving all of them. He also presents sets of his various projects there too, which are a bit more browse-able than his admittedly more slick and professional portfolio site.

Luke's subjects are quite varied, but I find his consistency remarkable. He's obviously got a penchant for a specific composition and lighting, and beyond that, there is his bemused approach that is curious, fun-loving, often a bit profane and, most importantly to me, never condescending. In other words: I am a fan and was tickled pink when he agreed to add his charming Yellow Canary to the 20x200 menagerie.

It's my preference and good fortune that my menagerie is mostly two-dimensional, but I do have one beloved living creature in my midst. My pooch, Ms. Otter patiently awaits me, eager to enjoy the sunshiney day. I must tend to her and then I'm off to be briefed on our moving day plans.

I'll be back next week with a dispatch from Madrid. Until then, I recommend generous servings of art and ice cream for all!