So, unsurprisingly, you folks will be seeing summer shots from this corner for quite some time. Maybe you won't mind so terribly if you're in wintry climes.
I'm a huge fan of dragonflies. They are aerodynamic marvels who eat mosquitoes, deer flies and other bugs that eat people. Godbless'em.
They come in lots of colours.
Including red.
And white & brown. The one above almost disappeared into the rock on which it perched. Only the brown spots ruined its camoflage.
I don't usually fiddle with much post-production stuff but in the next pic, I played with the saturation and hue a little. It didn't affect the dragonfly too much, but I like what it did to the wood of the dock.
Next up, a clever bunny renders itself invisible by standing still. (No wonder they provide lunch for so many predators.)
The next two pics are titled "Peas & Thank You."
What follows is not one of my sharpest photos but I like the colours.
This next fellow was caught enjoying a bask at the pond near Hilary's.
I am charmed by chickadees. I flat-out love these little birds. They have an abundance of wonderful qualities all out of proportion to their tiny size. I find them difficult to photograph, though. They are constantly flitting and their black eyes often disappear within their black caps. I'm always happy when I get a shot of one and I can see his eyes.
I'll bid the old year adieu with a pic of one of the young cardinals which graced my backyard for several weeks this summer. They were as cute as cute could be.
Hope the next 12 months are great ones for you and yours (and chockful of photo opportunities for us camera jockeys).
Those cardinal shots are wonderful. Have a Happy New Year, Frank.
ReplyDeleteWonderful photos, Frank. Thanks for regularly bringing cheer with your pictures and comments. Happy New Year to you and yours.
ReplyDeletegreat photos all, even the one you thought was not that sharp. I really like dragonflies too. we have many out here patrolling the open spaces. I found one on the ground outside my back door and picked it up. it clung to my finger. I supposed that it was dying. then the little bastard bit me. I tried to shake it off but it with no success. finally it let go and fell to the ground. I found it the next day, dead. Now it sits on the sill above my kitchen sink.
ReplyDeleteGreat pics. Today was warm here, pictures seemed right at home. You're right though, they will be nice to look at when the temp drops. And it WILL drop. You are an outstanding photographer, even the one you thought wasn't sharp. Maybe it wasn't, but it looked good to me. ~Nita
ReplyDeleteBeautiful faces to usher in a new year - one to which I'm very much looking forward. Happy New Year, my sweetie. :)
ReplyDeleteHappy New Year, Frank! Looking forward to lots of your beautiful shots to peruse through the year.
ReplyDeleteOh my...where to start. First, the header...beautiful. Next, the dragonflies. I never liked dragonflies until I began seeing them through your and Hilary's eyes. And then I learned that they eat the little nasties that "bug" me terribly. So now I'm a fan. And you've captured a couple of beauties here. I love all of these, but I think the two cardinals are my favorites. I agree with you about the colors in the photo of the adult cardinal. The juvenile has an interesting array of colors in his feathers. I'd never seen one close up enough to know that. Very nice set of images.
ReplyDeleteSpectacular!
ReplyDeleteMay this be your best year yet.
Oh, and remember the public health warnings about coming into contact with the blood of others, especially ellen's!
I guess many might consider dragon-flies man's 2nd. best friend.... for keeping stinging population in check. Bat Boxes would be beneficial too. :)
ReplyDeleteImpressive capture of the Chickadee. Black on black elements in photography are always a challenge for me and I would imagine for others as well.
All the very best for 20-12!
Lovely photos Frank. Good thing those cleverly hidden bunnies breed like rabbits ;) Have a wonderful New Year!
ReplyDeleteI sympathize - I have tons of photos from last year I've barely glanced at. Love these of yours, especially that baby in the last one!
ReplyDelete- Thanks, Leah. Same back atcha. :)
ReplyDelete- Thank you, Sally. Thanks for your kind words over the years.
- Ellen, the dragonfly is probably one of your totems. He was claiming you, like a blood brother.
- Nita, you're very kind. The world needs more like you. Happy New Year. :)
- Thanks, Hil. Me too. :)
- Thank you, Linda. You and Nita are a pair. :)
- Thanks, Bruce. I'll remember. ;)
- Thanks, Daniel. Same to you and yours.
- Thanks, Reb. Hope 2012 is a great one for you.
- Thank you, Barbara. Maybe one of our resolutions should be to try to stay a tad more current with our pics. :)
Thanks all. Sorry for the delay in replying. And Merry Ukrainian Christmas!
I don't mind the summer shots! Makes me feel a little warmer. :) All your bird photos are just amazing!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Elizabeth. You're almost, but not quite, too kind. ;)
ReplyDelete