As the Day Begins
As the Day Begins and ends with the sun, bidding good morning and good night.
As the Day Begins
The Osprey Nest
The Osprey Nest – the osprey birds are picking out their nesting boxes. I photographed this one below at sunrise, as the osprey was perched on top of the man made nesting box.
It must be exhausting making their nest. I was watching these two one morning, the one bird is going back and forth bringing one branch at a time. But when I looked closer at the bird perched on top, its eyes are closed.
Trying to get a nap in while its mate is bringing in housing material. He is just going to rest a minute. Needs a quick cat nap. 🙂
Video below of the osprey hovering or click here; Osprey Hovering
The Osprey Nest
Glimpse Into the Light
Glimpse Into the Light – What shadows might we see – an over whelming beauty – Reflecting His Creation – including you and me.
Glimpse Into the Light – Have a Wonderful Weekend
Unusual Critters
Unusual Critters I have seen this week. I was walking across a board walk early in the morning when this snail was slowly making its way across the path. What a strange little creature this is and such a long journey it must be for them when they move. Being it is at such a snails pace. 🙂
The next morning I went out onto the beach when it was still very dark outside. I had my flashlight with and in front of me I could see things moving very fast in the shadows of the soft light. One such creature stopped when my light shined on it. So I took a quick photo of this crab, another strange looking creature of the seas. Creation never ceases to amaze.
Unusual Critters
A Touch of Green
A Touch of Green and the sounds of spring await us as the earth awakens to new life after a long winter.
I love seeing things turn green this time of year, spring is such an encouraging month as the flowers emerge from the ground or ponds like these lilies.
The dried grasses in the fields return to their lush green colors, full of life for all.
Nothing says spring more than hearing the sounds of the Red Winged Black Birds.
A Touch of Green
A Beam of Light
A Beam of Light like no other. When there are clouds at sunrise you will probably witness sun beams like these as if a giant flashlight has been turned on to wake up the world and bring everything to life.
Like the beginning of a movie; Let the Day Begin
A Beam of Light
Shore Birds Enjoying a Sunrise
Shore Birds Enjoying a Sunrise, spring is in the air. Multiple birds hanging out on the sea shore. Such a fun sight to see as they all are just enjoying a stroll on the beach together.
I came across these cute little sanderlings searching for food in a huge pile of broken sea shells. It looks like they are trying to climb a mountain but keep sliding back down all the shells. Video below or click here; Sanderlings and Sea Shells
Shore Birds Enjoying a Sunrise
Amazing Wings
Amazing Wings, big wings, little wings, man made wings. Wings in nature are a symbol of freedom. I often dream that I can fly, I have most of my life and that is probably from watching birds all the time.
Have a wonderful weekend.
Video of an Osprey Hovering in mid air below or click this link; Osprey Hovering
Amazing Wings
Train Tracks Moving
Train Tracks Moving up and down as this train passed us at a crossing. I have never noticed this happening before. We were parked at the crosswalk as this train went by and it was a very long train, so we were looking at the tracks right in front of us and that is when I noticed them moving up and down.
I don’t know if that is normal or not. I would assume there has to be some movement from the weight of the train. Fascinating things we see when we stop and look really close at what is in front of us. 🙂
Video below or Link here; Train Tracks Moving
Train Tracks Moving
One of Those Mornings
One of Those Mornings when the wind keeps messing up the feathers. Even birds can have a bad hair/feather day.
But when it is slicked back, it looks pretty cool 🙂
One of Those Mornings
External Light Source
External Light Source for small subjects. Someone asked awhile ago about using separate light source in dark areas, like in the forest. So I went out into the woods and found these pine cones to photograph for an example.
This first shot is natural light in the forest that works fine, but you might have to increase your ISO a lot to get the proper exposure.
But for this photo below, I used an external light source because I wanted to bring out more of the detail on the pine cone. Which is much easier to do with directional light that I add to a subject. My source of light is a small flashlight. I always carry one with me just for this type of photo.
If my light is to bright for the subject I will put something in front of my flashlight like a piece of paper or plastic. What ever I have in my camera bag. There are all sorts of ways to change the softness of your light source.
I typically do not use the flash on my bridge camera, even though there are settings on it to make a softer light. It still tends to blow out the scene because the flash is mounted on top of the camera.
This is a fun way to change up your photos when taking shots of items in dark areas. Just remember to take a flash light with you on your outings.
This blue jay looks like he wants to hear what I have to say 🙂
External Light Source
Spring Time Out Doors
Spring Time Out Doors, lots of birds and more fishing for the husband this week. Nest are being built and the migration of birds is underway. I will have more new birds coming up the next couple of weeks.
My bird count has risen to 200 from 160.
Spring Time Out Doors
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The Early Bird
The Early Bird catches the worm, as the old saying goes. I am defiantly an early bird and sometimes I go out and about without brushing my hair either.
Video below of the Great Blue Heron Shaking its feathers in slow motion; Great Blue Heron Slow Motion
Have a great weekend.
The Early Bird
Eyes of Blue
Eyes of Blue, I think this bird is a cormorant, But I am not sure which one. As I type this I am adding the Merlin bird finding app to my phone. So now it should be easier to identify all these birds.
Someone was showing me the app and it will actually tell you the bird by listening to its call as well. Technology is amazing. So much better then having to get an encyclopedia out like the old days. 🙂
Eyes of Blue
Through the Forest of Trees
Through the Forest of Trees
You can’t see the forest for the trees! It’s a widely known saying that is accepted by many as truth whether they are talking about issues in the workplace or about life in general. You-can’t-see-the-forest-for-the-trees means that we sometimes cannot see situations as they really are while we are in the midst of them.
The forest hold so many hidden gems. Tiny creatures to unusual leaves and trees.
I was walking past this tree that has all these gorgeous green leaves shinning in the morning light. So I stopped to take a photo as the green color was very eye catching.
I did not even see all these spots on the leaves until I looked at the photo later. They are not bugs, my guess is they are seeds for new life of some kind.
Through the Forest of Trees
Nature Provides
Nature Provides plenty of food for all species. Birds have a wonderful diet that includes some very healthy options
Fruit being at the top of the list, or at the top of the tree if you will. This Cedar Wax wing is enjoying some fresh mulberry’s to replenish its system after a long migration flight.
This beautiful Summer Tanager is eating some sort of bug, which I am happy about. There are always plenty of bugs that provide a great source of protein.
Along with some nuts and seeds for fiber, they are a great food source to keep the system running smoothly. This Brown Thrasher is enjoying his fill of these today.
Of course we cannot leave out the best choice of food for a lot of species, its fish. I have seen a lot of birds doing pretty good at fishing the last few weeks.
This Belted King Fisher is an expert fishermen when it comes to diving into the water to catch a tiny little fish like this one.
This gull picked up a fish floating on top of the water after a fishermen through it back in.
The Great Blue Heron loves fish. They can eat up to a pound of fish a day. We have helped them get their fill this month. When we catch small fish we will sometimes throw them to the herons who are always hanging about looking for a good meal.
Nature Provides
Color of Springtime
Color of Springtime is the morning light. Clouds at sunrise filter the suns light to a golden hue. A warm color after a long winter to warm our minds and spirits.
Have a Beautiful Weekend 🙂
Color of Springtime
The Sun
The Sun
It radiates light and heat, which makes it possible for life to exist on Earth. Plants need sunlight to grow. Animals, including humans, need plants for food and the oxygen they produce. Without heat from the sun, Earth would freeze. A true metaphor to life. 🙂
The Sun
Coastal Birds
Coastal Birds, from the Osprey in flight to the Brown Pelican and Terns. There are always a variety of birds to be seen along the coast.
Coastal Birds
New Home Weather Vane
New Home Weather Vane – Is it real? Yes, this is a Great Blue Heron perched on top of a roof. He just looks like a weather vane.
This is a regular weather vane that spins around to tell you what direction the wind is blowing.
Technically this one will work, you could go by his crown feathers if they are blowing in the wind.
The only problem with a real bird for a weather vane is, when another one shows up that wants to sit on the same roof.
There goes the weather vanes. Good thing one did not have to buy them.
New Home Weather Vane
The Laughing Gulls
The Laughing Gulls, a very befitting name for these boisterous birds. They really do sound like they are laughing. They banded one of these gulls and it lived to be 22 years old. There is a video of these birds laughing away below or link here; Laughing Gulls
The Laughing Gulls
Walk Lightly
Birds Eye View
Birds Eye View, birds and fishing go hand in hand. Husband fishes and I photograph the birds coming around for a free meal. This blue heron was looking right at me as I took this photo. It is such a fun photo to have a bird look directly at the camera I think.
Birds Eye View
Sandra J’s Photography & Fine Arts
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Sunset a time to Reflect
Sunset a time to Reflect, a wonderful way to end the month of March and start fresh for April showers that will bring May flowers.
Sunset a time to Reflect
Sandra J’s Photography & Fine Arts
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The Magnificent Great Blue
The Magnificent Great Blue Heron, The great blue heron grows to 4 feet tall with a 6 to 7 foot wingspan. Despite its large size, its hollow bones allow it to weigh only 5 to 6 pounds.
You wouldn’t think this small bird would have wings this beautiful. They always take my breath away, especially when you hear them fly by.
Have a wonderful weekend.
The Magnificent Great Blue
Fun Colors in the Forest
Fun Colors in the Forest, a little extra color this spring from hand painted bird houses to beautiful blue flowers. The bright colors of springtime.
Fun Colors in the Forest
Sandra J’s Photography & Fine Arts
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Book a Photo Painting Here; https://sandrajsphotographyfinearts.zenfoliosite.com/book
Picnic Lunch in the Woods
Picnic Lunch in the Woods, everyday is a good day for a picnic in spring weather.
Picnic Lunch in the Woods
Sandra J’s Photography & Fine Arts
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Book a Photo Painting Here; https://sandrajsphotographyfinearts.zenfoliosite.com/book
Symmetry in Nature
Symmetry in Nature involves parts that are similar or balanced in some way.
When you look closely at a birds wings, one would be in awe as I am to see the symmetrical design of each feather and how it all fits together. It is truly a piece of art created with a purpose, each and every feather.
Perfection by the hand of our Creator
Symmetry in Nature
Coolest Cat at the Campground
Coolest Cat at the Campground, most campgrounds we go to have stray cats running around and kind folks feed them. I saw this one and had to take his picture, what a face. So cute.
Come to find out this particular cat is not a stray, he belongs to a gentlemen that works at the park. So I asked him if I could take his photo and make a painting for him. He said he would love one.
The first two are the photo I took and then the paintings below. This cat is 3 years old and so fluffy. His body fur is brownish but that face is quite something.
Plus Bird video below or click this Link; Birds at the picnic table
So now I am taking photos of all the stray cats when I can like this one below. This campground does catch each one and takes them to the vet to be spade or neutered. Which is a good thing.
Have a great weekend.
Coolest Cat at the Campground
Spring Has Sprung
Spring Has Sprung in some parts of the world. Down south we had a couple of good rains with warmer temperatures and that is all it took for the wild flowers to emerge from the earth.
Purple being my favorite color is the first thing I saw this week with these dainty little flowers here. Don’t forget to print some of your own photos if you take them to hang on your walls to enjoy every day. I do, I change my photos in my frames every month.
Spring Has Sprung
