Monday, April 2, 2012

Waiting for this moment to arise

Thank you so much for your kind comments from yesterday’s post. Now that I’m practicing with the camera in full manual mode, I’m getting a little more confident about it all. It even worked with the bird shots, which completely surprised me. A trick I discovered is to first check the auto dial for the settings in sport mode and then adjusting the camera manually to see if it works.

These were taken Sunday afternoon in the yard using the 70-300mm lens. The weekend was mostly a gloomy affair, but at one point in the mid-afternoon on Sunday, the clouds parted. And the earth rejoiced.

Well, I rejoiced. And I’m sure a lot of others did as well.



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Such a beautiful color blue.



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Fooling around with the aperture here. I think it was 5.6.



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I was even able to capture my quick-moving feathered friends.



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I had just spread out some safflower seeds on the picnic table, hoping to entice the birds to a gourmet treat. Squirrels don’t like these seeds, but a certain tufted titmouse did.



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He’s checking them out here.



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Then he took one back to the bush and ate it.



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But then he came back and did something really cute.



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He took a bird bath and I was able to capture his movements. I took several photos but don’t want to bore you to tears so am only sharing a few of them.



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He really looks different when he’s wet, doesn’t he?!




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Hello, my handsome friend.



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My son came outside, bringing his guitar. It was so nice listening to him practice on the guitar while I practiced with the manual mode. He was playing ‘Blackbird’ by The Beatles. I took a recording of it but the tune was so quiet, compared to the birds who were in full throttle, that the video is not worth sharing here. But it was beautiful.

His t-shirt says, “Don’t bother me. I’m workin’ on a case”.

* sigh *

And speaking of sighing . . .

I made a chicken pot pie for dinner tonight using real pie crust. This marks the first time I’ve eaten wheat since late January. And it was absolutely delicious. Damnit.

Hope your week is off to a good start. Thanks for stopping by my little corner of the world ~

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36 comments:

Caroline said...

wow...wow...wow! These pictures are awesome! The bird bath one especially. You have mastered manual mode my dear!!!

Low Tide High Style said...

Ok, those pics of the bird taking a bath are amazing! And I love that song, too bad your son's version wasn't louder...maybe next time!

Kat

Low Tide High Style said...

Ok, those pics of the bird taking a bath are amazing! And I love that song, too bad your son's version wasn't louder...maybe next time!

Kat

Reena said...

Do love that song ... would have loved to heard your son's version! Love your bird shots. Those titmouses move sooo fast .. you got him well.

Country Gal said...

Fantastic photos ! Are both your camera and lens in manual ? For myselp I keep just my lens in auto for my photos I find it less messing around , and am always changing the aperature and shutter speed depending on the lighting and what I want in focus ! Its fun isnt it I love just playing around with my camera testing as I take my photos ! Have a snap happy day !

Country Girl said...

Camera plus lens, Country Gal. It's fun!

Anonymous said...

Congrats on the manual shoot...the bird photos are fabulous! And now, in manual mode, you are off to a great adventure. Enjoy!

Christie - Fine Lines said...

Whoa!! Love the wet bird shot. You've motivated me to start looking at the P, A, and M settings on my camera. I figure that "looking" is the first step, then I'll actually think about how to use them! Ha Ha!! Have a great week:)

Hilary said...

Yes, George is one handsome fellow.

I can't imagine anything sweeter than sitting in the sunshine listening to someone you love playing the guitar......even if the birds were too loud.

and have you watched Hungry For Change, yet???

A New England Life said...

I can tell you're really loving that new camera, Kate! The bird bath shots are amazing! I used to buy safflower seed but the budget has been tight so it had to go. The Cardinals loved it though.

It must be nice to listen to your son play the guitar. A whole spectrum of mixed emotions on that one I'm sure!

Cloudia said...

OMG, those BIRD SHOTS!


Aloha from Honolulu
Comfort Spiral

><}}(°>

beth said...

i'm going to call you mrs. manual from now on....or mrs. m for short :)

i was told that same trick as far as learning manual...but i still almost always shoot in aperture mode. i think it's a bit of laziness on my part. oh well.

i love seeing your little tit bathing itself. titmouse is a mouthful, so i think calling them "tits" is perfect.
i mean we call idiot men dicks, so why not?

sheesh....maybe the "grey" is getting to me....LOL

and you have no idea how much i love your son being outside with you....no idea !!.....well, okay, you are a mother, duh...so you totally know :)
xoxoox

Unknown said...

great feathered friends shots. I am so jealous that you have so many birds to capture. I seem to always favor shooting in manual, haven't quite got the A or the S modes down. I suppose it the control factor in me.

JaneK said...

great photography as usual Kate :) my week was off to a really grumpy Monday.... really.... so your pictures were able to bring a much needed smile... thanks

Chesapeake Bay Woman said...

If chicken pot pie is your Bad Wheat Thing, I think you're just fine and absolutely entitled to the indulgence.

Gorgeous, gorgeous photos.

Stickhorsecowgirls said...

The photos are gorgeous! Looks like you are having some beautiful Spring weather up there.
So tell us more about what it is like going without wheat. Do you feel better?

Chrissykat said...

I'm pretty sure we've talked about this song before because it's one of my absolute faves. I wish his video came out better so we could hear it. Glad the safflower seeds are working out too. What a cute little titmouse enjoying his fill. Hope you have a great week.

Hilary said...

Wonderful shots of the wee one taking a bath. Love that. And your beautiful George and your musical boy. I had Blackbird running through my head while viewing the images thanks to your post title.

Skogkjerring said...

I´m inspired to go out and find some birds to photograph now, although I know for a fact I won´t get anywhere near the fabulous shots you got..never the less it´s a gorgeous day to try!

Do you get time off for Easter? I´m off for a week now...Oh glory days :-)))) Have a great day my friend!

Kerri Farley said...

Oh.... you must know how I adore this post! Such beautiful birds. I particularly like the little titmouse with the seed in his beak .... you caught that PERFECTLY! And they look so cute taking a bath :)

Great shot of your son with the guitar too!!
And I must not fail to comment on George .... give him a scratch for me :)

Daryl said...

well you can always get back on the no-wheat express today .. I like what you are doing manually, love that little tit (oh Beth you've started something now) but I am going to stick to P mode just because I am a stubborn woman who refuses to learn anything involving #s .. xo

Laura~peach~ said...

i need to spend a good deal of time with you and my camera so i can learn how to use it... last time i attempted my 70-300 lense all i got was black pics.. have not a clue what idid wrong... sigh :) love the pics!

sharon said...

Love watching birds take a bath. Splishing and Splashing all around. Good pics, your getting the hang of manual mode quite well.

Cait O'Connor said...

Great pics!
I have a new camera and am finding my way around it slowly.

I can't blog 'big' pictures - can anyone tell me how they do so - mine come out all weeny.

(GBS) NewsFromTheHill said...

Love the splashing pic!
Enjoy the guitar moments with your son.... my guitar playing son is 30 now and I can't hear Stevie Ray Vaughn that I don't get transported back to his high school days.... he had good taste!

Marcie said...

The photos are fantastic!! I think you've mastered the 'art' of manual mode!

The JR said...

CPP is one of my fav foods

it's been so hard not having one

great pics

Nezzy (Cow Patty Surprise) said...

Well ya know, ya don't have to ask me twice to listen to a great old song...heck...I'll even sing along!

Your pictures are wonderful sweetie. I sooo envy your ability behind the lens.

God bless ya and have yourself a delightful day!!! :o)

mrs mediocrity said...

these are fabulous, the bird bath made me laugh! bravo for manual mode!

the sun peeked out like that today, and i rejoiced. :)

Carolynn Anctil said...

Erecting a birdbath is definitely on my list of things to do here. I love watching a bird splash around in the water - they look so happy!

Stevie said...

Love the bird pics. Soon we won't see much of the birds here as they will snub the feeders b/c there will be so many bugs around. How great to have a nice photo memory. Great job! Stevie@ruffledfeathersandspilledmilk.com

Jan's camera said...

Being a huge Beatles fan, I wish I could play that song on the guitar. It is so pretty. I love the birdbath photos. Very cute he is.

The Coolidges said...

Those pictures are amazing!! Love the bird bath ones!

Lili said...

The bird bath ones are simply too precious for words! And I always enjoy the ones with George. xo ~Lili

Cris, Artist in Oregon said...

Lovely photos. I love birds and the Beatles and we have a Red and White Border Collie called Annie. Smart creatures arent they? :))

GailO said...

I have always loved that song...almost as much as I love these photos! Lovely!