Saturday, June 26, 2010

2 Things Challenge: Broad/Narrow

The 2 Things Challenge this week is Broad / Narrow.


This is a razor sharp broadhead hunting tip attached to a narrow arrow, or an arrow.


I'm not an archer, so I went to Mark's Outdoors in Vestavia Hills and explained what I was trying to do. The helpful staff opened a new pack of broadheads, put one on an arrow shaft, warned me it was like a razor, and loaned it to me to go outside and photograph it. They said if I didn't get the photo I wanted, come on back and try again. Nice folks.

Wednesday, June 23, 2010

Dragonfly on Butterfly Bush

I went to the butterfly bush specifically because my wife had said the day before it was loaded with all sorts of butterflies. Unfortunately it was too windy for the butterflies, but this guy had no trouble with the wind. I think he was actually just perching though, not feeding and pollinating.

Friday, June 18, 2010

2 Things Challenge: Fringe/Focus

The 2 Things Challenge this week is Fringe/Focus.

Mimosa blossoms have been in their glory the last couple of weeks. I would say the blossoms are almost 100% fringe and while these are actually from my old film days (no pre-views, no practice shots, no do-overs), much of back two are actually in focus.

Saturday, June 12, 2010

Red Winged Blackbirds

The Red Winged Blackbirds love to nest in the cattails growing around the edge of the settling pond below Kristina's neighborhood. There must be 20 pairs down there this time of year. I guess it's a pretty safe nesting site, away from most predators, except perhaps the occasional water snake or moccasin. They also have an elaborate warning system. If anything very big, like me, comes anywhere near, they start screaming their heads off.
The males make elaborate displays of flying from perch to perch, not near the nest I'm sure, all the while yelling at you at the top of their little lungs.
If you still aren't scared off, they will soar up overhead, screaming, "Get outta here!" They will practically hover about 30 feet directly over your head, until their wings are exhausted. Then they will fly off to some remote perch, rest a minute, and go at it again.
Fortunately, I don't think they dive bomb you and peck at your head like Mockingbirds do.


Friday, June 11, 2010

2 Things Challenge: Said/Done

The 2 Things Challenge this week is Said/Done.
If this daylily had anything to say,
She should have said it today,
'Cause tomorrow she will be done,
Like those yesterday sisters, gone.

Friday, June 4, 2010

Orange Moon On A Foggy Morn

My wife spotted this moon peaking through the clouds as she drove early one day last week to babysit her grandson. She called me. I threw on some clothes and grabbed the camera and tripod. Off I went, but so did the clouds. It was a good moon anyway.