There is a difference between “Robins” seen in America and those in the British Isles. The most obvious difference is the size of the bird’s red breast, which is much larger here. SW Virginia Robins have been very active lately, hopping around our yard seeking worms near the surface of the ground. As a kid my parents pointed to them as an example and told me “an early bird always catches the worm” trying to motivate me to do something productive.
This year is a record for the number of flowers we’ve had this early on one of our two Camellia Bushes. Using my 16mm lens set at f4 gave me a perfect depth of field. The “flip LCD” on my Fuji camera also helped me compose the image down low and up close while having a wide view of various flowers in different states of bloom.
I saw very small light blue flowers in the grass next to the foundation of our brick home. I made a close-up at f2.8 to get a nice soft field of view with my camera at a very low angle. I didn’t think it was anything special at first, but after I downloaded it on my iPad screen I saw what I thought was a Fairy dancing on top.
I needed the mental warmth provided by a photo of an artificial flower in our living room. There’s crazy weather in much of the United States right now. So, stay warm. Find a flower … artificial or real.
Daffodils always poke their green stems up early in southern Virginia. Recent snow is almost gone. One might think a change of seasons is underway. Alas, that’s not to be. It’s still winter.
By luck I had my 55-200mm lens attached when I glanced up and spotted this female Cardinal sitting on a tree limb overhead. Winter is not a good time in SW Virginia for bird photography. Thus, “luck” rules.
There is a belief among people I know which says: “Whatever good thing one does on the first day of a new year will carry on to each following day in that year.” For me that means I have to make a decent photo on New Years Day, regardless of circumstances, so that my photography over the next 12 months will be rewarding in some way, no matter less-than-desirable challenges that are placed in front of me. Like cold rain soaking river rocks (and me) today in my back yard flower garden.
While walking in a wooded area I came to this deteriorated, moss covered log. I noted small mushrooms attached and focused closer.This little mushroom looked nice, but the one below was my favorite.Nature always makes me smile when I discover its treasures with my camera.
Like clockwork our indoor Christmas Cactus has begun it’s annual transformation. Blooms don’t stay long, but there are enough buds to make me confident we’re good to go through December 25th.
