The good kind of blues

Just outside our side entrance sits a large planter containing a collection of gorgeous Morning Glory vines. And for several weeks now I’d pass by thinking, “I really need to photograph you,” but then I’d just keep on walking as too many other things needed my immediate attention. 

Today was finally the day I could hold off on all those other things for a moment and set about capturing a unique perspective of this very common annual flower. 

"My Blue Heaven" (Morning Glory 'Heavenly Blue') Nikon D300, 105mm, F/5.6, 1/80s, -0.3EV, ISO 640

These two shots couldn’t be more different! The first and somewhat abstract image is a result of a technique I like to call ‘shooting loose’. Fighting my usual propensity to get everything tack sharp, I instead focussed solely on the amazing colors, allowing them to softly bleed into each other to create a really cool tie-dye effect. 

"Gloriana" (Morning Glory 'Heavenly Blue') Nikon D300, 105mm, F/10, 1/40s, -0.3EV, ISO 640

The second image is totally more along the lines of my usual style. Shooting low and from the side really highlights the blossom’s elegant trumpet form. I also think that lovely twisted bud adds just the right amount of unexpected background interest. 

I’m so glad I made time for this today as these are definitely the kind of blues I can handle! 🙂

She DOES exist!

Finally caught up with the female hummingbird today! Woo hoo!🙂

“Hum a Few Bars” (Ruby-throated Hummingbird, Female, Archilochus colubris) Nikon D300, 600mm, F/5, 1/2500s, ISO 800

I had just stepped out a few feet in front of the tripod to scan the canopy of a tall maple for a male Northern Flicker when she appeared about 15 feet in front of me and landed on the top rim of one of the tomato cages. OMG! I nearly knocked the entire rig over as I rushed to get back behind the lens! 

Two clicks and she was gone. 

The resulting image required a bit of crop to eliminate an area of distracting background and to create a more pleasing composition but after weeks of either no-shows or less-than-successful attempts, boy am I ever stoked! 🙂