Male Versus Female Birds ~ Example The Peacock

I have always wondered why the male species of just about all varieties of birds in the world are the most colorful. It's not like that for the rest that live on this planet. You can't tell one Zebra from the next they all look the same. Consider the hippo is one better looking than the other??? No I would say their not. So why the difference in birds??? It's a quandary for me really and I find no logic in it at all other than the male must convince the female that they are the best and have the better genes to continue the line. Never the less their colors are extraordinary and amaze the senses. The way the males dance, prance and try to grab the attentions of the female are an art to watch. Male Peacocks are the most exquisite dancers and have a display of feathers that would knock your socks off. Nature at times can be mysterious....but even at that I love the fact that not everything is so cut and dry.

Beautiful British Columbia's Dog Wood Flowers

Well I have been trying for years to get a decent shot of these flowers...Dog Wood flowers come from a tree for those of you who might not know. They are also a protected tree here in British Columbia Canada. In other words they are against the law to cut down...the problem with the Dog Wood is that the flowers are very delicate and really can't stand direct afternoon sun...too hot for the blooms and they tend to go brown around the edges of the petals, which doesn't make a nice picture. So while at work one of my co-workers brought it to my attention that the dog wood just outside our window was just blooming and I should get some nice pictures of it...so the next day I brought in my stuff and during lunch when out and did just that. Lovely no brown edges on these shots.

Nature In Bubbles

What a fabulous weekend I had this weekend!!!! It was so nice not being at work that I couldn't stay indoors for one minute. I managed to get some interesting shots off and I've done some experimentation on some ideas of how to portray nature in exciting and different ways. Here are some great shots of my son's Kenton and Corey blowing bubbles for me so I could capture reflections in the bubbles. We had a smashing great time. Lots of laughter and who could blow the biggest bubble. I loved it....it's not very often the boys will play with me very much anymore so this was a special day. The challenge look carefully into the bubbles tell me what you can see :) Have fun

Fresh Scenic Shots ~ Black N White

I've always loved the look of Black N White images there is something about the depth that seems to come through over color. Maybe that's only my personal perspective on that but I love how the light just plays among the textures of the shrubs and trees. I have never seemed to master that perfect look of Black N White, but in my mind everyday is an opportunity to try something new and to hopefully learn from it. Or at least get some constructive criticism on how to improve on what I've achieved or trying to achieve.

Back Yard Images Again!!

Well I'm looking forward to this weekend everyone. First I will have some time to go out and get some new shots so I don't bore all of you too much with the same stuff. Second I will finally have the time to spend looking at blogs I follow and I'm really looking forward to that. I was playing around with photoshop in this top shot. I wanted to add some interest to a simple flower...I could have done better I think or a least make the lighting effects no so noticeable. These shots were from the back yard...the Golden Crowned Sparrows are in full force and are constantly in the yard for seed and a lovely surprise at the suet feeder I've got two males who fight over the suet....I managed to get a decent shot off considering all of the others where so blurry.

Squirrel Caught Eating Rhododendron Blooms!!!

I wanted to share with you a cute picture today. While I was out in the gardens of UVIC I caught this squirrel along with it's friends eating Rhododendron blooms....I didn't even know that Squirrels ate those types of things. Totally made me giggle inside while I watched them stuff their faces with flowers. They couldn't get them in their mouths fast enough. A absolute PIG OUT! LOL

Bald Eagles and Blue Heron

Well I finally found a Bald Eagle....it's days like this that I wish I had an SLR with a 400mm lens. I feel though that the images I did manage to capture across the pond are lovely and I'm very proud of them. Took me a year and a half to run into these beautiful birds....and they stayed in the trees for a very long time. I also managed to get a spectacular picture of this Blue Heron....I definitely enjoyed my walk. Went home with a smile on my face an a lift to my steps!!!

The Magic of Spring

Take a walk with me into my dreams....where I walk alone and fill my spirit with natural energy. Nature and how she fills your heart and soul

The Call Of The Male Hummingbird

Today was a great day lots of sunshine and the calls of the male hummingbirds were everywhere. Not hard to find them at all today. This fellow was just in the meadow behind my house and I was extremely lucky I could practically reach out and touch him. No excuses for some great shots.

In the shot above I caught him having a great stretch!!

In this shot the humming bird was caught in a strong head wind and it took him a bit to land on the branch in front

Caught the beautiful colors of his head....the sun hit his feathers just right....lovely isn't it.

Finally his close up.....I had a great time taking these. Spring is definitely in the air.

Cat Lovers????

Good Evening everyone!!! Have I told you lately I love my cats? I do these beautiful animals have been apart of our lives for a very long time...I couldn't imagine life without them. They wake me up in the mornings, talk to me while I'm getting ready for work; at the door when I come home; and on my lap the minute I sit down with my cup of tea. Both Lemo and Truffles are indoor cats so from time to time I let them out when I'm in the back garden. What I find so interesting is that they don't wander far from me, just content at smelling everything and seeing what I'm up too. I'm very lucky and I wanted to share that with all of you :)

I would also like to let all of you know that I'm trying to get to my blogs that I follow, but time is not my friend. As soon as my second job is finished on the 18th of this month I hope to rectify that and visit all of you and see what is new and exciting in your worlds. I simply look forward to having time back for myself and what I love to do.
The top shot is of Truffles she is now three, we got her when our Mr. Beast died. Lemo what heart broken and cried all the time looking for him. So we decided to get her a new little friend, which really helped her get over Mr. Beast.

This lovely girl is Lemo, she's 8 years old now. I can't believe that much time has gone by already...seems we just brought her home yesterday. Most of the time she thinks she's a dog and gets very upset if Christopher doesn't get to bed on time!!! She sleeps with him :)

Woodpeckers

One thing I have found the most challenging about taking photographs of birds is the fact that they are never still for a moment. I have been trying since I started my blog to get some decent pictures of Woodpeckers, Downey and Hairy Woodpeckers I think are the hardest to get. These two shots I managed to get in the UVIC Gardens. I've compared these two shots with others I've tried to get in the past....I've improved in clarity, but still have to work in the quality I think. My son Corey was watching National Geographic the other night and they had a special feature on woodpeckers all around the world. One interesting fact I learned was how the Woodpecker protects their delicate brains from the intense impact when they are drilling for bugs and burrowing into trees to make nests. Their tongues actually contract and circumference their brain to cushion the impact!!! Impressive I think so....I had always wondered how they could drill without knocking themselves out cold. Now I know why....

Happy Easter Everyone

Happy Easter everyone!! I hope all of you are spending time with family and friends. I didn't have a Lily to present you but here's a lovely Orchid instead.

Water N Ice

Before winter set in last year. I manged in my whole Nano Second of time to get out and capture some interesting images that showed the wondrous beauty in frost. Nothing like the first frost before the onset of winter. It's like magic adding that coating of white on everything it touches. In the first shot I managed to find some plants that still had some berries on it...kinda adds a little contrast into the picture. Here in the second shot I found a back half of a leaf exposed and was amazed at how long some of the crystals of water extended out from the leaf....

The last two pictures are of basic puddles that froze over...I was hoping to capture some the the water designs as the water froze during the night. Interesting perspectives on water and how the molecules change with heat and freezing temperatures.

Ruby Crowned Kinglet ~ I Finally Found One

This Ruby Crowned Kinglet is a great find for me.....I knew we had them here but they are so hard to find. They love to hang out in the thick undergrowth. Last year I managed to get a picture of the beautiful Golden Crowned Kinglet which you can find in my past history. I have to tell you these shots where a challenge for me....one I tracked this male for over an hour to be able to get a clear shot of him. He only came out three different times to quickly grab a bug then just a quick head back into the bushes to my frustration. I tried my best to get a shot of the top of his head for you to see the beautiful red crown, but he just was too fast for me to get the shot. I'm hopeful that now that I've located their Habitat that I might find them again and get some better pictures of their beautiful head. Nothing quite like it.

Mother Nature's Natural Gifts of Spring

I love to look for the unusual the hidden surprises that Nature can provide if you take the time to walk slowly and look for it. While on one of my walks of late I came across this unique flower here in the top picture. Stunning look at the petals it's like a patchwork quilt!!! I couldn't believe my eyes...so beautiful. I wish I knew what I was looking at...so if any of you know please let me know what it is. This shot is of a Salmon Berry Blossom very prolific here on the West Coast. Our moist conditions and swampy areas are ideal for this plant.

Yes all of you know what this is...Blue Bells...so delicate and I think at time under appreciated, but with new camera technologies this flower stands out in a crowd!!

Bushtit Activity before nesting

While on one of my many walks of late I heard the wonderful sounds of the Bushtit's Squeak. Since they travel in packs like wolves it's not hard to track them. But the challenge is to get a good shot off before they hop from one branch to another searching for bugs. In the top shot here I managed to get one eating an earwig. Gross bugs earwigs I'm glad someone eats them!!!

I love these little birds no bigger than a cotton ball so precious.

A Rare Find!!! American Bittern

What a wonderful day it was here in the city. Lots of sunshine and plenty of birds to see, I really lucked out today I saw allot of species and managed to get some decent shots off. Of course I could have used a telephoto lens today to get the best shots off of this amazing American Bittern. This bird was at Swan Lake today, and very hard to get pictures of apparently. This bird is shy and doesn't like allot of noise or people for that matter. I would have missed this amazing bird if it wasn't for two birders already there taking pictures of it as well. I'm thank full for them both, because I don't see well they were able to show me where to look. Took me awhile to see the Bittern, the bird was well blended into the background.

I'm BACK!!!!!

Hello everyone!!!! Wow I've been gone for awhile haven't I. Well it couldn't be helped I'm afraid, working two jobs just took the time away from my photography. Not only that but my old computer crashed and we had to get me another one. That took some time and money LOL....but I'm seeing the light at the end of the tunnel. I will be leaving my second job at the end of April....managed to get rid of a very large bill, so I will have my weekends back. Yay!!!!!

I hope all is well with all of you which I'm sure it is. Here are some lovely spring flowers for all of you to admire. I've managed to get Photo shop and I'm practicing with some new techniques.
In the picture above (forget-me-nots) I did an application using a interesting application that makes your picture look like it's sinking into the page...drawing your eyes into the subject matter. I love the results I got with this.

In the middle shot I took a lovely picture of a Tulip Tree, white blossoms against a blue sky...a lovely affect indeed. But using this beauty I then added to it giving the outer petals of the flowers and stems a dreamy feel and texture.

Finally I gave COLLAGE an honest attempt with some lovely spring flowers I found in the forest last week. Yes I noticed a gray spot that I didn't fill, but I'm happy with the results. Very fresh I think.