6 posts tagged “flowers”

I was a bit disappointed with my photos from the Vermilion River Reservation nature tail hike when I first looked at them last night. This morning, well, I like 'em better. Lighting conditions made proper exposure difficult and not very successful on the shots I had highest hopes for. A few others were saved with a little cooking in Photoshop. Here are my best results from the day. Not too bad considering they were in the woods using a handheld telephoto --no tripod-- sometimes with mosquitoes buzzing around. I'm working on rationalizations to make the photos more acceptable to my own standards!

Forest Flower

Sunning Snake

We are enjoying a string of very beautiful spring days. Since I'll go to the office late today, what better way to spend the morning than taking a photo hike along the shores of wooded Hinckley Lake. I imagined fog rising from the surface of the water, backlit by the low sun. I hoped for deeply blue skies. And I hoped I'd see buzzards basking in the first warmth of the day, as I'd seen once before. I got most of what I wanted and I am a happy fellow indeed. I also shot my first digital photos in RAW format, which I will play with later.

Spring Morning at Hinckley Lake

Walking along the gravel path was a pleasure. I spotted a downy woodpecker up in a tree but couldn't get a clear view for photos. Meanwhile a male cardinal perched above me and gave me a stern look; I was wearing a red jacket and he probably thought I was a rather gigantic intruder! Rounding a curve I sighted them: perched all over the top of a dead tree were turkey vultures, "buzzards," basking in the morning sun to relieve the nighttime chill.

Basking Buzzards

The big birds watched me cautiously and some folded their wings preparing to make an escape, if necessary, as I approached and stood beneath their perch. Leaning against the trunk of a neighboring tree, I watched as some of the buzzards took short flights from branch to branch, and others to a nearby tree. As time passed the birds became more and more active, ruffling their feathers and moving around.

Buzzard Banking

One by one, over the ensuing quarter hour or so, the birds took flight and began soaring individually and in groups. They circled, sometimes alighting again on their tree. Once or twice birds landed on branches that could not support their weight and the twigs, without birds, came crashing to the ground. Soon all but one of the birds were in the air and moving off over the surrounding countryside. Vultures are magnificent fliers.

Gliding Overhead

Just in case large carrion-eating birds aren't your aesthetical cup of tea, here's one last shot for you --taken from among the many bunches of spring flowers blooming around the entrance to the park and boat house-- a backlit daffodil.

Hinckley Lake Daffodil

It was a very good morning and I'm feeling better today than I have in quite some time! Unfortunately, I now must leave for work.

Chipmunk Fun

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We stopped by the vet's office during our Saturday run-arounds. The cats are fine but we had a bunch of used insulin syringes to leave off for proper disposal. Dr. B. gets enjoyment from gardening around his hospital building and at the front door, among the flowers, stands a small statue. Perched on top of the statue was a chipmunk, holding very still, his cheeks full of food. I just happened to be carrying my camera so I hoped the critter would keep his position on the statue and would still be there as I left. Camera at the ready I opened the door to leave and found the little guy continuing to pretend he was a part of the statue. The chipmunk regarded me silently and motionlessly as I aimed and squeezed off several shots. Here's what I got! I love the way the stone dog and boy appear to be gazing lovingly upon their furry friend. We'll probably make a print of it for Dr. B. & Co.

We visited the La-Z-Boy store in Fairlawn this afternoon and found a sofa we both liked. This one has three cushions with those on either end set up as reclining chairs. Comfortable  for both of us to sit on and She Who Must be Obeyed can even stretch out on it for  an unscheduled snooze. She said she might even want to order one tomorrow.

It was mild and partly sunny for most of the day, growing increasingly cloudy as the evening came. Now it's 100 percent overcast and the rain chances are building. I won't be going to the observatory tonight, that's for sure, though we've got an open night scheduled for next Saturday and I like to get in some practice ahead of time.

Yellow Flowers of Peace

Jan's funeral is today. As a matter of fact, it starts in a few minutes. I won't be going. I'm sure people will wonder why I didn't go to this one, or two others I can think of. I don't have a pat answer so it will also go unaddressed here. Strangely, just before I awoke this morning, I had a dream in which Jan appeared! I don't recall that ever happening. For whatever reason I was in a big box electronics store and was buying a complete replacement for my car's stereo receiver, speakers, etc. I had just finished examining the merchandise and worrying about whether I would be able to install the system when I looked up. There, standing in the checkout line, was Jan, smiling at me. There was some sort of bright red stain on her temples, otherwise she seemed happy and healthy. What was that about?

The night's rest left me feeling much better today. Still very little appetite but the heartburn, body aches, and headaches have all eased. Though not fully recovered from whatever illness gripped me yesterday, I came in to work. I've got a few easy tasks I can accomplish without pushing too hard.

Heading out the door this morning I noticed the sun shining on some beautiful flowers at the front of the house. I took a couple of minutes and shot a few pictures.