It’s late Saturday afternoon as I write this and here in Maryland, the day was beautiful. Well, beautiful for March ~ and I’ll take what I can get.
Today we took a drive over to Jersey to see my husband’s folks who have arrived home from wintering in Florida. I love my in-laws. I took photos to them that I had taken 30 years ago and in them, my mother-in-law was younger than me at the time and looks like a teenager. It was fun looking at them.
Then home again where my husband sat in our yard in the sunshine while George and I ran up to the grocery store. My husband told me that he was sitting there, minding his own business when suddenly, out of the sky, what sounded like a small freight train whooshed by him and then kept going.
It was the sharp-shinned hawk. It had shot out of the air like a bat outa hell, coming within 10 feet of my husband who was sitting in a chair in the yard. The hawk was obviously trying for one of the birds at the feeders, but he missed . . . and went on his way. The photo above was taken by my husband last week.
When I came home from the store, I went outside to sit for a spell and to feel the sun on my face. I brought the macro lens with me and found that the lilac bush is really budding.
I used a texture on this photo that I downloaded today from Shadowhouse Creations. Here’s the link, below. And do remember to thank Jerry Jones if you download. His textures are free for the taking and he’s a generous soul.
Shadowhouse Creations – Square Texture Set
Looking at some of the other buds on the lilac bush, I gasped when I saw this (below).
I can’t believe it. The lilac flower is beginning to burst forth.
And as much as I really do love winter, my heart sang upon seeing this.
I took these photos with my Nikkor 60mm macro lens. The bud shots were processed using a slight boost, TRA’s Oh, Snap! as well as Kim Klassen textures.
And then my favorite photo, taken earlier this week with my 50mm lens.
I posted this on Flickr the other day, where I have some of my photography. Have you seen my Flickr site yet?
Sometimes, rather than do a blog post, I upload photos there. So if you don’t see me here, that’s where I’ll probably be.
Well, either that or sitting in my yard in the sunshine.
Have a wonderful weekend, all. And Happy Birthday wishes to my wonderful sister, Charlotte ~
Congrats to you on the lilac bush buds!!! Hurray!!! (So cute that George gets to run to the grocery store with you.) :)
ReplyDeleteWasn't it just a beautiful day? Hope tomorrow is a repeat in the weather department. Hubby will be putting down new mulch.
ReplyDeleteDi
I love this space.
ReplyDeleteand I was out examining our lilac today, but no progress like this!!
Oh wow.. that's just beautiful.. the teeny tiny lilac buds. We're nowhere near that stage yet. Sigh.. look at the beautiful George. I want to kiss that nose!
ReplyDeleteOh, that makes my heart sing, too! I bought tulips AND daffodils this week, two little vase-fulls of sunshine. I hear we may crack 60 degrees this week, my heart might just dance a little, okay a lot.
ReplyDeleteI am still in love with that hawk. And with George.
it is so encouraging to see the buds from your perspective ..and that hawk has alot of nerve doesnt he.. happy weekend to both of you and your handsome George
ReplyDeleteI really enjoyed the macro captures today Kate.
ReplyDeleteI have got to dig out my 60mm and get busy. It wont stop raining...and the next 10 day forecast is for more RAIN.
And you know when you say you found a new texture or action... I'm on it...hahaha Thanks again so much Kate.
Oooo, you got lilac buds?! They are SO beautiful! And gosh, I love that picture of George, too. So sweet!
ReplyDeleteGlad you had a good time in Jersey. It was rather windy here, but nice. :)
xoxo
I love those buds!!...
ReplyDeleteThe hawk is beautiful. We get a lot of buzzards in the fields and I'm always photographing them in flight, or in hovver!
ReplyDeleteAnd such beautiful pictures again, especially of George.
CJ xx
The lilac...the harbinger of spring, how beautiful.
ReplyDeleteYou are so lucky to have spring so close like you have it! Here everything is still lying under it's blanket of snow, even the trees aren't giving any signs yet of spring...but we can't be far behind you, I'll just keep hoping!!
ReplyDeleteHappy Birthday to your sister!!!
Have a great Sunday!!
The buds are a sure sign of spring! Love your photos and post. We have a photography blog that we put all our photos on http://kandewoodphotography.blogspot.com .
ReplyDeleteHave a wonderful day !
I love that bud!! We are behind you in the seasonal change in my town in PA, but I still took some photos of new green shoots (just with my digital point and shoot--but it had that macro setting that I love): http://livewithflair.blogspot.com/2011/03/some-pictures-of-hope.html
ReplyDeleteThose buds shots are so beautiful Kate! Flickr huh??? Oh that place is a time suck for me and I can't do both blogging and flickring!!!
ReplyDeleteI love seeing all the new buds and growth on the plants after winter! It does a soul good!
ReplyDeleteEnjoyed your photos and as always, love the one of George! He's such a poser!
I can almost smell that lilac!
ReplyDeleteHow wonderful to see the buds ready to burst...beautiful photos...thank you!
ReplyDeleteOh wow. The buds are just stunning. So pretty and I love your exporsure and setting.
ReplyDeleteGeorge is a sweetie. How could anyone not say so.
Happy b'day Charlotte.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful pictures. I luv that hawk picture.
Belated birthday wishes to Char .. and I went OOOOOH at the bud too
ReplyDeleteYou hardly stay home lately. Good for you! There's never too much George, by the way--and the hawk. For some weird reason-he's my favorite bird--and I know how most farmers feel about them, and rightly so. I'm just weird.
ReplyDeleteOh my goodness lilac buds so early! So beautiful Kate. And I shot a hawk out in our tree the other day too, probably should post it. He didn't do any harm, yet. It must be fun to have your in-laws close by, well in the warmer months at least. xo ~Lili
ReplyDelete