18-APR-2016
The Little Show Off
Saw my hummingbird friend again today at Delta Ponds. In fact, I see two of them, each in what appears its own favorite hangout. This one looks like he is all dressed up for his favorite girl. I believe it is an Anna's Hummingbird.
19-APR-2016
Finding Beauty in a Neighborhood Walk
I took a walk around the neighborhood this morning and found some delightful subjects, including flowers. I was especially attracted to this backlit beauty, a Rhody blossom. I am always looking for shady areas with a spotlight of sun, and backlighting too when I can find it.
20-APR-2016
A Superb Fisher!
Ospreys have been nesting recently in Delta Ponds, and I 'caught' this one with a nice catch. They are excellent fishers! The Osprey is a beautiful bird, sometimes mistaken for eagles. They perhaps look similar but the osprey is smaller, and eagles sometimes rob them of their fish.
Here is some information about the Osprey from the National Geographic website:
"Ospreys are superb fishers and indeed eat little else — fish make up some 99 percent of their diet. Because of this appetite, these birds can be found near ponds, rivers, lakes, and coastal waterways around the world. Ospreys hunt by diving to the water's surface from some 30 to 100 feet (9 to 30 meters) up. They have gripping pads on their feet to help them pluck fish from the water with their curved claws and carry them for great distances. In flight, ospreys will orient the fish headfirst to ease wind resistance."
21-APR-2016
Lovely to Look At!
This beautiful yellow flower at Alton Baker Park stood out against a shadowy background, and it compelled me to make a photograph of it. I don't know that it is a wild flower, perhaps not. Whatever it is, I find it lovely to look at!
There was a song called “Lovely to Look At” written way back in 1935, even before I was born. It is beautiful. This version is from the remake of the movie, in 1952 -
22-APR-2016
Raindrops on Leaf
I got caught in a downpour this morning while walking at Delta Ponds. I enjoyed the morning though, and found some subjects for photos, including my little friend, the hummingbird. Among the subjects was this leaf looking nice with raindrops on it. So I just had to shoot it.
23-APR-2016
Going My Way!
This is a view of Jasper-Lowell Road where it approaches Hwy 58. The water is in Dexter Lake. I wanted to get both boat and car in the photo, so waited for the right moment. I liked the juxtaposition of boat and car, and water and road, different though having something in common. Two ways to get there!
24-APR-2016
Come On Up and Sit a Spell
Our oldest daughter and her family just recently moved. This is the inviting porch of her new home. They now have a two acre place in the country, with a beautiful older home. It's a great place, even wildlife, like deer, wild turkeys and elk, like to visit. And so do Carol and I. We had a delicious meal with them a week or two ago.
25-APR-2016
Oceans in the Sky!!
What may look like the ocean really isn't! This was a cloud formation I saw. The only camera I had with me was my P900, which wouldn't have been my first choice for this. But it came out well, and I thought it looks a lot like the ocean when it is stormy.
Guess it just proves I am a dreamer.
26-APR-2016
Has-been?
The best description I could think of for this old house is 'has-been'. Surely, it has been a nice house at one time, I am sure. Now it sits lonely and neglected, with no sidewalk or path, no driveway, seemingly no access. I felt sorry for it. The only things I see to dress it up are the pretty green fields and the colorful flowers in front. Could it be that someone lives there? As one viewer said, there is a Satellite Dish on the roof! I may have to go back!
27-APR-2016
Pink Wild Rose
This wild rose was growing in Clearwater Park. The bush was beautiful, with a number of flowers decorating it. Among the several varieties of wild rose are some that are State flowers and a red one called 'Wild Rose Canada'.
I always look forward to seeing the wild rose bloom in the spring.
28-APR-2016
One Smart Turkey!
I came across a group of turkeys when driving on Fox Hollow Road. As they crossed the road, most of them headed for an open field. This one knew just where to go! One smart turkey! :)
29-APR-2016
Making A Big Splash!
I watched a momma Mallard Duck with her six babies for a while at Delta Ponds this morning. To my amazement, she climbed up on a log and made a big splash in the water as she jumped from the log on the other side, leaving her babies to make their own way up and over that huge long. Each one followed and made it! They can climb better than I thought. But the momma's big splash was the catch I liked best. :)