For our bird friends . . .
Photo by Ellie Tunget This photo is entitled, “Friends” and captures one of the local wintering sandhill cranes feeding with the cows on local corn fields that have been harvested, cleaning up the waste corn and eating grubs and insect life, which helps the farmer."Photography is my passion and my art," Ellie Tunget said. "I've dabbled in oil and acrylic painting. The Smithsonian Institute in Washington D.C. has one of my original designs.
Photo by Verna Barr Ellie Tunget (left) reviews some of her photographs which are featured in several books written by “our very own bird lady,” Evelyn Horn. The two share a common interest of bird watching, and especially in the sandhill cranes which visit Delta County on their spring and fall migrations.It's of a columbine that I submitted when I was a member of the National Tole Society."
Tunget has taught classes in Grand Junction and Nucla in the art of painting on silk. She has always enjoyed photography, but, early on when she had to buy film, develop, and print in order to see whether the prints were good or not, it became quite expensive.
"I went back to that main passion, photography, when the world went digital. I had to learn to use a computer but I'm still computer illiterate except when it comes to my photos."
She has had a photo published in a "Birds and Bloom Daily Planner," made the cover of the "Fence Post" magazine a few times and had a 
Photo by Ellie Tunget This dancing heron was photographed at Harts Basin. Tunget says, “Sometimes when the Great Blue Heron comes in for a landing, he seems to be dancing for the sheer joy of life, and looking forward to a good meal of fish.”short story published. She has photos in Evelyn Horn's book "Still Following the Feathered and Flowered" and in her latest book "Intriguing Discoveries with the Naturalist in Training." At times, her photos have also appeared with Horn's bird articles in the Delta County Independent.
Birds are her specialty, though she will photograph almost anything. By learning where to look, when they feed and other habits, she allows the birds and other animals to get comfortable and just be themselves. She likes being alone, sitting, waiting and watching. She has been known to take from 400 to 600 photos a day.
"After hip surgery in 2004 I spent a lot of time at Harts Basin photographing birds. In 2005 I spent as much as eight hours a day there. Also, I spent hours photographing our first documented resident crane family in 2010 and 2011. Now, in 2012, the bonded pair 
Photo by Verna Barr Two 2013 calendars showcase photos of local birds taken by Ellie Tunget.lost their offspring.
Tunget uses a Nikon D300 camera and a long lens on a tripod and has even taken photos by placing her camera on a pillow on her open car window.
Her photos, framed and mounted, have sold at the state fair, Stolte Shed, the Creamery and the court house (Art in Public Places). She has photos in Australia, Scotland, and in various states. She is a member of Delta Fine Arts Club and Black Canyon Camera Club.
Two calendars with some of her favorite bird photos are being sold locally. One has 12 pictures, each of different birds. The other is made up of 12 crane photos, all taken locally. Calendar pages are 8"x11" and are suitable for framing.
Tunget and Horn ("Evie, our very 
Photo by Ellie Tunget This is a photo of a cattle egret, taken at Harts Basin. This bird lives up to its name by following cattle and eating insects, grubs and all sorts of goodies. They also go where cattle have been, in search of “cow pies.”own bird lady") have become good friends since 2005 with a common interest: bird watching. Tunget's comment, "Life is good!"
Both women have become dedicated to a cause very close to their hearts. They have joined Colorado Crane Conservation Coalition Inc. (CCCC) to defeat a proposal that would allow hunting of Greater Sandhill Cranes in Colorado. These are "our cranes" they're talking about. Tunget and Horn have attended meetings in Grand Junction and Craig protesting the proposal. They also attended an informative conference, the Yampa Valley Crane Festival this past September. The proposal has been defeated for now. CCCC will monitor the situation, work to educate the public about cranes, and celebrate the presence of cranes in our state.
To find out more about the Colorado Crane Conservation Coalition, Inc. or to purchase calendars, contact Ellie Tunget at 970-874-3266.
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