ROUND ROBIN PHOTO CHALLENGE: Reflections

Pelican Pond

Every year, right about this time, a flock of pelicans fly in to the pond down the way, which the locals refer to as 'Pelican Pond'  to herald the arrival of summer.  They have not make their appearance this year as of yet.  There is a surreal feeling in the air as I feel I cannot begin to appreciate the season until I have seen the pelicans.  The water of the pond is almost always a dark, murky brown, but on this day it was lit up brightly to reflect the rich colors of the marsh surrounding it.  The pond so far this year has remained murky and uninviting, as if it too awaits a sign that summer has arrived.

Cousins In The Creek

I love the many facets of light and this simple silhouette, lit up by the summer sun reflecting off the ripples of Fountain Creek remains one of my favorites.

Round Robin Challenge: Reflections (for 5/24/06)

DUSK

Today was the first time in several days that I have been able to take my camera out and about.  Sometimes I get so caught up in the chaos that is my life and I forget how beautiful and peaceful this same life can be for me, all it takes is a step back and open eyes.

There is something so intelligent about the piercing stare of an owl, even a baby one.  These two little guys (who really aren't that little at all!) snapped their beaks loudly a couple of times but quickly calmed down when they realized that I wasn't coming any closer (I used my zoom lens for this shot).  Although I couldn't see them, I have no doubt the parents were watching me the whole time, ready to attack at the slightest sign of a threat.

A storm loomed over head and the Canada geese were unusually quiet this evening as they paddled slowly across the still water.  I love this time of night, when the world is just beginning to wind down and relax after a busy day.

MAY FLURRIES

I woke this morning to the calming beauty of falling snow.  I stood outside and closed my eyes, call me nuts, but I swear I could hear the snow falling. And the smell... its different from rain, its fresh and cool, and it stirs the memory of other scents like a crackling fire in the hearth and fresh pine needles, but by itself, it is the fragrance of clean air and mountain breezes.  Its the soft aroma of fluffy white clouds.  At the age of 45 I still get excited by fresh fallen snow.

NIGHT VISION

Last summer my kids and I adopted a Canada goose couple who had nested on a little island near the end of the waterway at the Cattail Marsh.  Sadly the nest was raided, probably by raccoons, and the geese mourned for a couple of days before abandoning the nest.  Much to our delight they returned to the nest again this spring and successfully hatched a clutch of 6.  These goslings are 9 days old.  Believe it or not they were swimming before they were even a full 24 hours old.  While the parents brought the babies right over to us for bread crumbs, they kept the other geese at bay.

This picture was never intended.  My night vision is not the greatest and I used the flash to see if there were any animals near the creek.  The light didn't reveal any creatures hiding in the dark, but the resulting picture is almost hypnotic.

NATURAL PATIENCE

I became acquainted with this young Great Blue Heron last summer.  I am almost 100% sure its the same one because while all of the other herons will take flight as soon as I come into view, this one will move to the shore, and then upon realizing that I am not a threat, it will resume its search for fish.  Its patience is evident here in this extended exposure shot.  I slowed the shutter down to soften the surface of the water but was able to keep the heron pretty much in focus because it was standing perfectly still while waiting for an unsuspecting fish to swim by.

Patience is a virtue, and the key to survival.  This heron caught and swallowed 3 fish while I watched from the dam.

NEW TO MY FAVORITES LIST

'Spring Blossoms'  (I took extra care to get this shot focused only to load it onto the computer and smooth the edges with the 'digital noise remover'.  I like the resulting softer lines better than the original sharply focused image.)

I read a lot of journals in the course of the day, but my favorites are the ones that require no reading, just looking.  They are the Photo-Blogs.  Over the past two years I have come across and enjoy dozens of online albums by some super talented photographers, but I am always on the look out for new talent.  Some of these newest favorites of mine are actually old aquaintences such as my husband and my sister.  Others I came across by accident.  Either way, they are full of talent and inspiration and it would be selfish of me not to bring them to the attention of others who might not already know and appreciate their works.

PAPARRAZI BY PROXY:  My husband Steve (more commonly known as 'Dickidoo') has always had a good eye for photography and I finally got tired of his constant suggestions that I should shoot this or do that, and I handed him my camera with the suggestion that he take the picture his own darn self.  He did, and he did it well.  And now I have to fight to be able to use my own camera (I don't share well).  However, I am always eager to see what he has captured during his outings and am rarely disappointed.  While I am the actual author of the journal, all of the pictures are the works of my husband.

Retrospect USA: Meet my older sister 'Redbird'.  She began her passion for photography several years ago with a 35mm SLR camera and recently evolved into the world of digital photography.  I love how she uses color and angles.  During a visit over the summer, she and I took our cameras out to a favorite scenic location of both of ours, the Garden of the Gods, and I was amazed by how differently we both captured the same subjects.

Anywhere Is....:  This is a brand-spankin'-new find for me, and I instantly fell in love with the earthy talent of Shutterbug.  When I first clicked on this link I was completely in awe, and the feeling remains with each new entry. 

Photo Trek:  Radar calls himself a 'hobbyist photographer', but do not mistake that for being amateur.  There is nothing amateurish about this guy.  His pictures are fabulous!  Don't limit yourself to his journal, check out the links to his galleries.  You won't be disappointed.

Involuntary Motion:  I have mentioned this journal before for its written words but would be amiss to neglect mentioning the breathtaking photography found within the entries.  His pictures reflect the simple yet beautiful lifestyle he has chosen to live.

Enjoy!

APRIL'S FULL MOON

I missed the opportunity to capture the moon while it was a dark orange in the early evening sky due to the fact that I was on the road and my camera was at home.  When I finally returned home, the moon was hiding behind a neighbor's trees.  I'm sure that if I had the know-how to get the settings right, this could have been a really nice shot.  For now I am happy with the mystical quality of the picture.  As a child I had always been intrigued by the moon.  As an adult I am still mesmerized by it.  I don't think I will ever tire of its many faces.