Fine and Dandy

Seems I’ve got a case of ’warm fuzzies’ with all the yellow flowers blooming in the neighborhood! Now, I could have gone for forsythia, daffodil or tulip but nope. What caught my camera’s eye today were the dandelions! Go figure.  

"Dandy" (Taraxacum officinale, aka Common Dandelion) Nikon D300, VR 105mm F/2.8G, F/3.8, 1/2000s, ISO 200

Snubbed by most as a lowly weed, but when you get belly-down to these sunny blossoms you start to see them in a whole different light.

"The Art of the Dandelion" (Taraxacum officinale, aka Common Dandelion) Nikon D300, VR 105mm F/2.8, F/6.3, 1/200s, ISO 200

Ever take a close look at the leaves? Before today I can’t really say that I had. And there they’ve been all along…the spikey, deep green background players, edged and veined in purple, with little white tips, waiting patiently for someone, anyone, to take notice.

Well, there ya go little dandelion. Sorry it took me soooo long.

Bubbling over

Every professional photographer (or any visual artist for that matter) knows the most difficult part of this job is selling. From the very beginning, I’ve controlled every detail of my small business… from marketing and promotion to the actual creation of prints, mounting, matting and framing. As you can imagine, this leaves one very little time for the fun part – taking photos!

"On the Red Bubble" (Soap Bubble with Color Reflections) Nikon D300, VR 105mm F2.8G, F/7.1, 1/50s, ISO 800, Built-in Fill Flash w/Gary Fong 'Puffer' Diffuser

With age comes wisdom ( ) so I’ve decided to relinquish (some) control and allow the good folks over at redbubble to create my photographic prints, as well as other really cool goodies such as iPhone/iPod cases, for me. Neat, huh?

Click the button below to access my redbubble portfolio, view sizes and pricing and, most important, place your order.

I so appreciate all the folks who stop by my blog and especially want to thank those of you who take the time to click the “Like” button as well as post a comment. Your feedback and support inspires me to keep looking through the lens and without you, I’d just be a girl with a camera and no purpose.

What’s the fun in that?

Spring ahead

"Spring Stretch" (Crocus 'Yalta', Tommasinianus hybrid, aka Snow Crocus) Nikon D300, VR 105mm F/2.8G, F/5, 1/80s, -0.7EV, ISO 320, Built-in Fill Flash w/Gary Fong 'Puffer' Diffuser, -0.7EV

Last year at this time, the Snow Crocus were still fast asleep, buried under two feet of the cold, white stuff.

This year couldn’t be more different!

With an overall lack of snowfall during the winter and the crazy higher-than-normal temperatures here in the Northeast, the happy little blossoms are popping up all over the landscape.

One little beauty caught my attention since it appeared to be caught in a sleepy yawn, stretching its petals as if perplexed as to why it was roused so soon (we typically don’t spot crocus until mid-April).

The next bloom I found was hiding beneath a large rhododendron, seemingly timid to come forth, yet reaching for the warmth of the sun just beyond its grasp.

"Awakening" (Purple Snow Crocus) Nikon D300, VR 105mm F/2.8G, F/4.5, 1/200s, ISO 200, Built-in Fill Flash w/Gary Fong 'Puffer' Diffuser

As much as it is nice to see life returning to the garden, I’m not all that keen on rushing the seasons. Who wants to worry now if outdoor plants are getting enough water or if young shoots are struggling to dig their way out from under a bed of leaves? It really is just too soon. I’m sure I don’t have to stress over this as Mother Nature is known for teasing us with a few warm days followed by a return to chilling temps, even if the sole purpose is to remind us all of exactly who is in charge.

So, let’s hit the snooze button, shall we? I, for one, need a bit more time to get ready for the tasks ahead.

Abstract Revelations

As promised, here are the revelations as to what the images I posted yesterday in Abstract Reality actually are! Everyone had really, really good guesses! I was very impressed!

First image: Grill Cover Tear

"Fissure" (Grill Cover Tear)

I focussed in tight on that top corner and then converted the image to b&w. Boy, this thing is really in sad shape, huh?

Second image: Rusty Metal Wing of Hummingbird Garden Stake

"Wired" (Rusty Metal Wing of Hummingbird Garden Stake)

I composed this image using just the wing of the hummingbird garden stake. Because the leaf-strewn ground color was so close to the warm colors of the wing I decided to desaturate the entire image and then selectively bring back those wonderful rusted tones of the metal. Works for me!

Third image: Rusty Saw Blade on Dirty Grill Cover

"Rusted" (Rusty Saw Blade on Dirty Grill Cover)

Yep, nothing more than a very rusty saw blade on a very dirty grill cover. Can’t fake this kind of texture!

Fourth image: Grill Cover Mesh Panel

"Grilled" (Grill Cover Mesh Panel)

Okay, I admit it, this one really wasn’t fair but Scott never said we had to play fair. Inverting the colors on the mesh part of the grill cover with the very reflective stainless steel behind gave this abstract a sequin-ish look (I really liked that guess, Kiwi! )

Fifth image: Star Suncatcher

"Inprismed" (Star Suncatcher)

Going in close on the center portion of a bevelled-glass star suncatcher made for an interesting abstract. Except for the blue center, the glass is actually clear and gains its colors by reflecting all that is around it (green/blue tones from the evergreen trees close by and warm tones from the leaves and cedar mulch that lay below). My, that 105mm lens gives a lovely shallow depth of field at such a close range, doesn’t it?

Sixth image: The Inside of a Sunflower Bird Bath

"Rosebud" (The Inside of a Sunflower Bird Bath)

I figured most would guess this one! (Does it make up for the grill cover mesh image? ) The inside of my sunflower bird bath has such interesting patterns and textures. Small red buds from the tree overhead added just that tiny pop of needed color.

Seventh image: Water Bottle with Reflection

"I.C.U." (Water Bottle with Reflection)

My trusty Cool Gear water bottle! LOVE that it is orange and hot pink! (Yeah, sometimes I’m really such a girl). This thing is GIANT and is with me pretty much at all times when home. One evening, it was sitting on my desk when I noticed the light from the monitor was creating an eerie glow as well as a very cool miniature reflection of the bottom ring in the water line above. I played with many different compostions and angles and ended up liking how this one looks cyborg-ish.

The eighth image was fairly obvious: One Red Sneaker, Two White Pant Legs, Three Black Rails

"One Red, Two White, Three Black" (One Red Sneaker, Two White Pant Legs, Three Black Rails)

A pair of legs (if I recall, belonging to a man) wearing white pants and red sneakers. This shot was taken pretty much by accident while watching a parade in the Magic Kingdom and aside from a slight levels adjustment, is straight out of the camera.

So, there you have it, folks! Thanks so much for playing!

Abstract Reality

"Fissure" (??) Nikon D300, VR 105mm F/2.8G, F/8, 1/80s, Built-in Fill Flash w/Gary Fong 'Puffer' Diffuser, Nik Silver Efex Pro 'Architecture' Filter

Well, it’s time for another one of Scott’s Photo Assignments and for this go around the challenge is Abstract Photography. I generally do not go out looking to take abstract photos but occasionally, they do find me.

All but the last two photos were taken today. With not alot of color around these parts and very few flowers to be had, I looked for subject matter outside my norm and concentrated on form, light and texture. The last two images I pulled from the archives since otherwise, they probably would never have seen the light of day.

Can you guess what they are? (Answers will be posted tomorrow).
 

"Wired" (??) Nikon D300, VR 105mm F/2.8G, F/6.3, 1/200s, ISO 200, Selective Toning

 

"Rusted" (??) Nikon D300, VR 105mm F/2.8G, F/8, 1/125s, ISO 200

 

"Grilled" (??) Nikon D300, VR 105mm F/2.8G, F/6.3, 1/80s, ISO 200, Colors Inverted

 

"Inprismed" (??) Nikon D300, VR 105mm F/2.8G, F/3.2, 1/100s, ISO 100

 

"Rosebud" (??) Nikon D300, VR 105mm F/2.8G, F/7.1, 1/100s, ISO 200

 

"I.C.U" (??) Canon Powershot SX40 HS, 27.3mm, F/4.5, 1/15s, ISO 1600

 

"One Red, Two White, Three Black" (??) Nikon Coolpix P7100, 42.6mm, F/5.6, 1/250s, ISO 100

Second times a charm

Success!

As promised, I re-created the edible birdhouses with stronger eye hooks and hung them in a different location (high up in a tree far back in the yard).

Within minutes, the Black-Capped Chickadees were feeding! Granted, they were the only brave ones that first day but it didn’t take long for the White-Breasted Nuthatches to catch on by the following morning, with the Dark-Eyed Juncos snacking happily below (they are ground feeders).

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

Please Note: Unfortunately, I cannot control how quickly the images advance. HOWEVER, if you hover your mouse over the slideshow area, a set of controls will display allowing you to STOP the auto advancement of the images. Then, you can use the forward and back arrows to scroll through the images at your leisure.

I’m not saying the squirrels didn’t try but they just couldn’t get to the houses so they had to settle for what scraps the birds allowed to fall to the ground.

Aw, poor babies.

With the voracity at which the birds are feeding, I suspect by the end of this week, the houses will be stripped clean and the process will start all over again.

Oh, my. What have I gotten myself into?

Squirrels: 1 Humans: 0

"Not a Good Sign"

While the concept of the edible birdhouse is sound, it would appear the installation needs some work.

I should have realized the beginning of the end when I woke up yesterday morning and saw this:

(Apologies for the poor focus quality of this image as it was shot with a long lens through a not-so-clean window).

Nervously, I watched the grey squirrels for quite some time throughout the day and though they were able to access the pinecones, they appeared to be completely baffled as to how to get to the birdhouses. 

Relief!

"Chickadee... Check!"

 
 
I even felt a surge of hope when I witnessed a visit by an actual bird!

Yippee!

(Again, apologies…long lens, dirty window = blurry-ish image).

After this shot was taken, I moved the camera to our sunroom where I could shoot more clearly. However, not much activity at the houses by either fur or fowl occurred during the rest of the day so I let things be and resumed my regular daily activities.

Fast forward to this morning.

"Appetizer"

 
The ‘Fruit & Nut Villa’ was now on the ground and being fought over by several grey squirrels while another was up high feasting upon what I now call the ‘Appetizer’.

See that dangling string on the right? Yep, that is where the villa proudly once hung. Upon closer inspection, the small eye hook was still attached to the string so it clearly wasn’t strong enough to withstand the weight of a plump grey hurling itself onto the roof. The house must have dropped like a hot potato.

Sadly, it didn’t take long for the ‘Skylight Villa’ and ‘Sweetheart Cottage’ to meet the same fate.

"Main Course"

While some of you might have erupted in anger over such an outcome, I found it quite comical to watch the squirrels devour the houses. They really are persistent little beasts! I do take some satisfaction, however, in imagining them now, back at their nests, holding their full tummies and moaning like a group of middle-aged men after an indulgent night of pizza, wings and beer.

When it was all over, each house looked like this:

"Picked Clean"

So, it is back to the drawing board. I already have a new batch of edible glue prepared and ready to go. The houses can be reused (they clean up easily with some hot water and a scrub brush) so another attempt is forthcoming. I simply under-estimated my critters and made it way too easy for them. Yes, they may have won the first battle but what they don’t know is I’m in it for the long haul and it’s time to put my engineering degree to good use.

I just hope they don’t start calling me Wile E. Coyote…