Monday, August 12, 2013

Hummingbird delight

One of my sisters wrote me today to ask if everything was ok because I hadn’t posted in over a week. I checked and darn if she wasn’t right. Sorry about that ~

I’ve been busy. I’ve been lazy. I’ve been a mess. I’ve been organizing all of my closets and cupboards in the manor house. One of the above statements is false and the rest are true. Just let me say that I loathe going through closets and cupboards . . .

One thing that floats my boat is taking photos on the weekends. And when the hummingbirds are in town like they are right now, it’s splendid.

 

 

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I like this one and had a little help with the bokeh here. You will find a link at the end of this post as to what was used. Oh, the bokeh was there to begin with, believe me. But I added just a little extra help.

 

 

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Resting in the pussy willow bush.

I made this bush myself by inadvertently rooting a handful of pussy willow branches and then, after seeing all the roots, planting them in one of the big planters outside. It wintered over on the patio and it gives the lighter birds an extra perching area.

 

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More help from that bokeh here only I turned it around 180 degrees.

 

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The weekend was quiet. My husband is still winding down. I do my chores and try to keep things neat around here. Our son has been walking the dog (sometimes). And I find moments in every day to play with the dog, as well.

 

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A chickadee is eying up that hummingbird swing, my husband’s lobster buoy collection in the background.

 

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And although this isn’t a good photo, it was all I could capture on Sunday morning of a ruby-throated hummingbird who visited the feeder. Cool!

 

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Here’s the texture I used to give a little extra something something to the two photos in this post. I used Bokeh-3 from Shadowhouse Creations October 2012 Bokeh Set.

Hope your week is off to a good start. Thanks for reminding me, Judy, that I forgot to post!

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44 comments:

Deb said...

Beautiful shots. My favorite is and always was the chickadee.

Low Tide High Style said...

Beautiful images! I will have to try that texture sometime, but I also know that you are the queen of capturing natural bokeh. I'm glad things are calm at the moment and that you are able to enjoy being outside. My grandparents had a beautiful pussy willow...your lovely image reminded me that I should plant one here.

xo Kat

Driftwood and Pumpkin said...

So pretty. I started off so well feeding the hummingbirds this spring and then WHAMY...I got sidetracked with my sick stuff. Soooooo...not as many around for me this year. Glad I could see yours. xo

Daryl said...

i dont seem to ever really make textures work properly ..

Country Gal said...

I was just about to send you an e-mail to say hi lol ! Oh wonderful photos love the texture to them cool ! Oh I cant stand closet cleaning but like it when it is all organized and tidy lol ! Glad all is going well there ! Thanks for sharing have a good week !

Carolynn Anctil said...

I'm glad you're finding time in your busy day to enjoy it with your birds - and then share them with us. Gorgeous, as always.

One day...I'll try my hand at textures...

Blessings,
Carolynn
A Glowing Ember

JC said...

I was wondering how you were doing. You do have a lot of people out here in blogland that care deeply for you.

Love your photos, as I always do.

We get quite a few hummingbirds here in my woods. I'm thrilled when they come close only I don't have my camera ready, like you do.

Take care. Keeping things clean helps. I know.

xo,
JC

Ellen said...

Been thinking about you.

The photos are really great. I just love hummingbirds and you seem to capture them so beautifully.

Prayers and hugs.

Debbie From Illinois said...

Kate, I love your photos, thanks for sharing them. At our cabin I have an old cotton clothesline that is hung between two trees for hanging beach towels. The hummingbirds love to sit there and some of them clean their beaks in the weave of the clothesline. It is so cool to watch them.

Karen thisoldhouse2.com said...

The ruby throated is beautiful! I have yet to entice them to a feeder around this old house. *sigh*

Bluebird49 said...

Good to see you post--been checking for one every night!
Love your bokeh but I can't use textures without Photoshop, can I? (I think I've had maybe 2 photos that I happened to get it in! In my LIFE! Maybe I need to read that "Photography for Dummies" that I've got by my chair, huh!)

God bless you and all your family, dear!

Nellie said...

I love the pictures of the hummingbirds. We rarely have them here.

I continue to have you in my thoughts, Kate.

Hugs,
Nellie

Cloudia said...

You and these jewels are excellent Summer companions



Aloha

his_girl_friday said...

I so love hummingbirds. They're such dainty creatures.

beth said...

we have nothing around here to attract them....well not in our yard, and i love them soooo much.

thank you for making my day happy with these photos.

my sister's father in law passed away on saturday morning and we have always said that his wife came back as a hummingbird since they were her favorite....and guess who was there as he was winding down a few days before he passed...yep, it was her.

xo

Chesapeake Bay Woman said...

The one with the buoys in the background makes me smile.

Kerri Farley said...

Good to see a post from you! Your hummers are FAB!

JaneK said...

There are no expectations for posts. But we miss you when your quiet and do worry a bit.... So, always good to hear from you and love it when you treat us with amazing shots....

Donna S. said...

I check in almost every day. Don't expect you to post much but just think about you & hope you are having a "calm" day. Stay the path Kate!!

Kathryn Dyche said...

I love hummingbirds, we've had a few visiting our feeders but I haven't managed to capture any photos yet this year.

Rain said...

Kate love your photos! The hummers are the best ever.... Pray your photography helps you as life winds down...... Other life does go on.........,
Fondly, Rain

Jeanne Walker said...

Up in the mountains of southwest Colorado enjoying the cool and some rain! Putting my feeder out in the morning. I know that I'll get some photos of them but never as wonderful as yours. Thoughts and prayers!

Mary said...

Oh how I love your bird photos, and the hummingbirds are simply magical! That bokeh texture is so natural-looking -- if you hadn't told us about it, I never would have suspected you used it!

It's been fairly cool here for the past few days. Very rainy today, though. All the creeks are full! It's beginning to feel just the tiniest bit like autumn... or almost-autumn...

Thinking of you.
xoxo

DesertHen said...

I love hummingbirds! They are so peaceful to watch. A few made a surprise visit to our farm this past weekend and I enjoyed trying to get photos of them. I posted a few to my facebook wall, but haven't blogged about them yet. Time just seems to slip away from me these days! It has been a real treat having them around. Enjoy the hummers (as my Nana called them) and be well!

By the way, I loathe cleaning out closets and cupboards too! ;)

Sabrina Steyling said...

All of your photos are beautiful, as I always say! The chickadee made me smile. Life is not so happy here in my neck of the woods at the moment, so that little bird really made my day! :)

Sweetpea said...

I don't know, but "...I've been a mess," is what stuck in my thoughts as I *hummed* through these beautiful hummer photos.

Am still stopping by here, CG. But still, not knowing what to say most of the time, of late. Cannot begin to comprehend the process of winding down that you are sharing with your dear one; the life changes that must occur almost daily. Such BIG LOVE to both of you.

Emma Watson said...

All of these images are looking so nice, thanks for the sharing.

Life Insurance

The JR said...

Great pictures to me. You don't give yourself enough credit.

The bird would be in the next county before my camera clicked.

sharon said...

Birds have a certain peace about them don't they? They calm the soul.

Em Parkinson said...

They are so beautiful and exotic compared with our British birds. Such a joy to see them - thanks Kate. Hope you're feeling good and positive at the moment. x

Lili said...

I'm always in awe of how you manage to capture those hummers Kate. Just now one landed on our feeder and by the time I grabbed my camera gone...patience is a virtue with them I am sure. Oh and I think I spied our faded buoy colors behind that chickadee shot (hot pink/lime green)?
xoxo

Donna said...

Your pictures are fabulous!!

andy said...

Gorgeous pictures ! Wow !

Hilary said...

I've been enjoying the many hummingbirds that visit the feeders at the new place also. Your photos are lovely as always.

Reena said...

Love your hummers. Miss mine back in Philly. And you.

Reena said...

Love your hummers. Miss mine back in Philly. And you.

Gail said...

May your weekend be as beautiful as your photographs.

mrs mediocrity said...

Well, those photos just made me smile!

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Jan's camera said...

Lovely, lovely, lovely.

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Kerri Farley said...

LOVE these Kate!!! and thanks for linking in the comments :)

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