I was walking around in the yard the other day taking pictures. I have no clue why I decided to look down at that exact moment, but if I hadn’t, I would have stepped on this little guy. I almost didn’t even notice him when I looked. He was just hanging out in the grass, snuggled between the blades just enough to be overlooked.
Tag: Nature
Frilly Peach Iris
Pink And White Clematis
Today’s Cuteness: Baby Bunny!
Hubby came across this little guy huddled in the grass the other day when he was mowing and had to be careful. There was actually a second one, but ran into some bushes to hide. This one was still out there when he finished and I was able get really close and grab several shots. Poor thing was terrified.
More Storms
The rain finally broke yesterday afternoon and it cleared off for a couple of hours before the storms blew up again. Thankfully, they did so after only a brief downpour here, but I got to watch the clouds forming off to our northeast.
I have always found it fascinating to watch clouds, especially storm clouds. This massive storm kept billowing up, higher and wider, building on itself. You could watch those edges just continue to roll and grow.
I didn’t get any of these with the houses for context other than a small roof peak here and there, but this was a massive beast. I no longer have quite the clear view I used to because of all of those houses, but I still have a decent enough gap in certain areas to still be able to get some good pictures.
It was close to sunset so there was some really interesting lighting going on, but it wasn’t quite close enough to create more stunning colors. Still, it was amazing to watch. And, I was really glad we didn’t get any more rain last night. Sadly, I think the next round it due to hit later today and they are calling for another doozy with a potential for upwards of another 7 inches or so.
Drenched
It has been raining and storming for nearly 24 hours almost non-stop (still a few hours shy of that, but it’s close and we aren’t anywhere near done yet). Normally, that isn’t that big of a deal but that rain has been coming down in buckets that entire time. Oh, and the storming part. Yeah, that part was super fun to try and sleep through. I couldn’t decide which was worse. The wind sounding like it was going to blow the roof off or the massive claps of thunder that shook the foundation for extended periods of time feeling more like an earthquake than thunder. And it is COLD! I actually had to turn the heat back on. I don’t think I’ve ever done that this late in May.
Between the lack of sleep last night and the night before (thank you lack of grace for giving me achy muscles and a banged up elbow!), I’m struggling to not be grumpy. I can say the positive in all of this is that, fingers and toes crossed, we haven’t seen any leaks. I’m kind of shocked by that. I don’t think that we’ve had a crazy heavy rain like this in the 15 years we’ve been in this house that didn’t give us at least a small leak somewhere. Today, I’m taking the positive where I can and running with it.
Now if I could just find a book to read…
Rust and Gold Iris Heart
Showtime!
Well, it’s almost showtime. I have to do recital bouquets first, which is what is on my to do list for the day. I don’t think I’ve ever had such a hard time finding flowers for a project. Granted, trying to create a bouquet that reflects this year’s costumes when the costumes all are some form of blue isn’t exactly the easiest thing in the world. I went to 3 different places last night before I found flowers that would work and that satisfied BG as I let her pick them out.
Now, to see if I can pull off arranging them in a way that doesn’t make it look like a disjointed mess. You’d think that after all the inspiration the pointe costume gave me this year, that it would be easy. Apparently trying to add in the others is blowing that creative streak.
Sounds of Nature
This image is an old one, but it fits perfectly.
Something we had in all the years before they developed and built behind us was this amazing symphony of sound at night in the spring and summer when the windows were open. There were several little gullies or ditches that frogs liked to gather in and you could hear dozens of them every single night. All of them sounding as if they were hanging out just outside the window, and sometimes actually were as those little suckers love to climb on the house. Besides the frogs you’d get the crickets and the cicadas and all the other nocturnal noisemakers. Continue reading “Sounds of Nature”
Storm Clouds
BG had one of her final dance classes last night. It was a long one, so I planned on dropping her off instead of staying like normal, but she ended up feeling really crummy. To be on the safe side in case she wanted to leave, I needed to stay. I took my book to keep me busy, but at the last minute, I grabbed my camera, too. Her studio isn’t exactly in a pretty area, so this was totally a whim thing. I am so glad I did.
Rain Speckled Iris
I have Irises blooming. Not all of them yet, but a few. I love the color variations in this one. It is so vivid and eye catching. Irises are some of my favorite to photograph because there are so many different interesting parts, especially once you get close. Fair warning, there will be lots more Iris images in the days to come, when I’m not going insane getting things done in prep for recital or running BG to a million events.
Between The Rains
Yesterday was kind of nasty, with rain most of the day. We did have a very brief period where the rain not only stopped, but the sun came out and we got some really pretty blue skies. Of course I took advantage and ran out to try and get some pictures. This one is one of my favorites, though I have so many, it is impossible to pick. I think it is the first time I’ve ever managed to get such a strong reflection inside a water drop. I have a few others that came out as cool, but I’m saving them.
This latest round of pictures put me just over 300 images on my photo print site!
Happy Mother’s Day!
To everyone that has ever filled the role of Mother, no matter your gender or DNA, Happy Mother’s Day!
For me, being Mom has never been just bout having given birth, though that is part of my motherhood. It is about going to countless baseball games, screaming and cheering until my voice gives out, even if I cannot stand baseball.
Baby Honeysuckle Buds
Cranky Pants It Is
*The picture is for those that really don’t want to read the rant. It looks kinda mean and thorny which is how I’m feeling, but it is still on the pretty side so you won’t have to suffer. Much.
I have tried. I really have, but apparently cranky is going to be it for me today. I have a lot of thinking to do on what I’m willing to do and not do with regards to trying to be a part of the indie author community and get exposure for my book.
Rain Means Raindrop Photos
With the last couple of days being mostly rainy with periods of dry, I spent a crazy amount of time crawling around on my front sidewalk taking pictures of raindrops. My elbows are so not thanking me today. There were so many images that turned out amazing, there is absolutely no way I could pick a favorite. I ended up uploading over 40 new images to my photo print site, and all but like 5 of them are rain drop images.
Raindrops On Leaves
Raindrops On Leaves
Raindrops On Leaves
Raindrops On Leaves
Raindrops On Leaves
Raindrops On Leaves
Raindrops On Leaves
I’m just fascinated with all the various different ways you can look at water drops and what they do. I really love some of the really interesting reflections you can get inside each individual drop.
While I chose each of the ones I uploaded for various different reasons, the one below, almost didn’t make the cut because it was actually a bit of a mistake. It isn’t as clean as a lot of my other images or as in focus, but the more I looked at it, the more I really loved the softness and the color in it. When I uploaded it to the site, it looked amazing on all the product options.
One of the things that attracts me to macro photography is the ability to get really crisp and sharp details that you don’t normally see without the aid of that macro lens or smashing something against your face, but that is the beauty of photography as an art form. It doesn’t have to be perfect. Some of my favorite images are ones with things that would normally be considered flaws, but those flaws are what give it that something special that makes it so different and interesting.
Iris Bud
Yesterday was… a day. When I wasn’t on the computer, most everything was good. I got some really cool pics and that made me really happy. Getting on the computer and internet… well, that just pricked at my patience and irritated the hell out of me. So much so, I felt like turning this blog into a giant rantfest and changing the name to The Cranky Old Hag. Obviously I didn’t, but the temptation was still very much there because that is pretty much how I felt. Instead I walked away and picked up a book instead, which wasn’t actually that easy and was part of the desire to scream.
So this morning I was faced with the choice. Feed the cranky old hag or do something that made me happy. I’m going with happy. And pretty. So, here is a purple Iris bud for you. Choose happy today.
Fuzzy Clematis Bud
Hey There! Sup?!
This little guy (?) decided to try and hang out the other day while I was taking pictures. I had to switch to my zoom to get him, but he hung out for a little while, just running around on the driveway. He came pretty close a couple of times, but not quite as close as I would have liked. I’m still not 100% sure what kind of bird it is, but it is most likely some type of Sparrow.
Sunny Dandelion
Today’s Pretty: Peony Bud
It took me a while to realize that Peonies do this weird thing when they are going through the bud phase. They produce this liquidy/syrupy substance over the buds and is why mine are often covered in ants. I honestly just thought I was always catching them with dew collected on them or after they’d been rained on or the sprinklers had run. I don’t think I’ve seen a Peony bud that didn’t have some form of liquid on it at while it was in that state. One of the cool things you learn when you stop and look at the smaller things.
