Sunday, September 8, 2013

I am just a pilgrim on this road

It’s Sunday morning and I’m still in my pajamas, listening to music on my Cloud player and enjoying some freshly brewed coffee. Although we have a back-up Keurig machine, I still make coffee the old-fashioned way. I bring a kettle of water to boil and pour it over a glass Melitta pot that has a cone filter. It’s worth the extra trouble and my husband seems to appreciate the extra effort.

What I’ve listened to while writing this post:

Steve Earle and the Del McCoury Band – Pilgrim

Essie Jain – My Darling

Collin Hay – I Just Don’t Think I’ll Ever Get Over You

Melody Gardot – Some Lessons

Rodriquez – I Think of You

Sam & Ruby – Heaven’s My Home

Norah Jones – Treat Me Like a Fool

Nick Drake – Place To Be

The photos below were all taken over a two-day period in either the early morning light or the early evening light. And photography is all about the light, isn’t it? I tried to position my chair to capture the beautiful September bokeh.

 

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I absolutely love the color going on in the background of this one. I have a few photography props in the yard, including this old wire cage that a friend gave me for my birthday one year. I’m sure it was meant to be used indoors but the birds like to perch on it and it’s getting more use outside.

That’s a tufted titmouse, by the way.

 

 

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And this is a lovely little nuthatch.

 

 

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I was hoping someone would stop by this feeder so I could capture the colors. I just set this one up a couple of months ago under the dogwood tree next to the house and it’s been a bit hit. That’s a little chickadee there.

 

 

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A tufted titmouse is about to take off with his prized seed.  We only feed oiled sunflower seeds here, so the birds with the smaller beaks take their seeds to a nearby branch and crack them open to get the prize inside. The cardinals and the finches stay at the feeders and crack their seeds right there because their beaks are made for crackin’.

 

 

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Not a great shot, but I’ll take it. And there’s that cool wire birdcage again.

 

 

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I love this one for the pretty colors, and the fan from the tail of this little chickadee.

 

 

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And this.

 

 

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Off to enjoy her prize.

 

 

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The zinnias on this side of the patio are still blooming but over the weekend, I replaced other pots with chrysanthemums as things are beginning to look and feel like autumn is coming. The past two days have been absolutely stellar although this morning feels much warmer and more humid. It’s been great not having the AC running and listening to the crickets and owls while falling asleep at night.

Last night, I re-watched two movies, one on Netflix stream and the other a Netflix DVD. The first was Witness, one of my favorite movies of all time. I could watch Harrison Ford over and over again in this role. I remember when it was being filmed all those years ago, and they were working on the train scene nearby where I worked at a weekly newspaper at the time. Our editor went to get photos and returned dejected after seeing Kelly McGillis, in full Amish costume, smoking a cigarette. He was weird, that editor. I just laughed.

The other was You Can Count On Me, Mark Ruffalo’s break-out role. He stars with Laura Linney and they play orphaned siblings. It’s just a beautiful movie and they are so perfect in their roles.

 

 

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And the hummingbirds are still out and about.

 

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I hope your Sunday is beautiful and the coming week brings nothing but good.

Thanks for stopping by, my friends.

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40 comments:

Jeanne Walker said...

Loving your photos this morning. Didn't realize that the nuthatch was bluish in color. The bokeh is so beautiful. I love the facial expression of the chickadee in the seventh photo...he seems so excited about his bounty! Sounds like you are having a very peaceful, pensive weekend. Praying that you all have a wonderfully blessed week ahead.

Cathy said...

You bird photos are always so lovely.You get much more colorful birds than we do here in Washington, so I always love your bird post! I love all that bokeh. Hope the week ahead is good to you.

Devon said...

I really enjoy your bird photos, as always! That wire cage is perfect. My outdoor kitties keep most of the birds away. What a shame!

Witness is one of my favorites... what wonderful way to spend the weekend. It I supposed to get up to 100 degrees here for the next couple of days... waiting for fall. And rain.

Gail said...

Your photography is beautiful.

You and your husband are in my heart.

beth said...

the simplicity of the shots with just the bare wire are winning me over today....

and YES, it is all about the light....always !!!

love and light.....xoxo

Deb said...

Your photos are beautiful. I especially love the chickadee at the feeder. The colours are lovely. I really do appreciate the right light as we just captured a beautiful photo of our new grand-daughter with the natural light from the window. It became everyone's favorite. Gwyn and her dad. Have a peaceful Sunday, Deb

Anonymous said...

Gorgeous photos, as always! We have a black-headed caique and we're bird lovers, so I really enjoyed these.

Cloudia said...

We all share photos. You create Art!

Thanks for brightening our day!

Aloha, Hon

Em Parkinson said...

A really easy Sunday for us doing nothing but getting school clothes ready for the first day of term tomorrow and doing the recycling for the collection tomorrow too. I like that one you didn't think was any good! Have a good week Kate. x

Marianne said...

Nothing like kicking back on a Sunday morning. I'm a tea person myself, but I'll still be your friend!

Mary Lou said...

Kate, I needed some beauty in my life today and you provided it for me. These are all gorgeous. Thank you.

becky up the hill said...

Kelly smoking a ciggy! Ha. Love the Nuthatch. They are my personal favorite with their abilities to trot up and down the trunks of trees. Doesn't hurt that they are cute either. Always relieved when you post. Thanks Kate.

Carolynn Anctil said...

Lovely shots, as usual. So glad you're enjoying some quiet time. Since we don't watch tv, I do enjoy relaxing in front of a movie most nights. I lead a wild life, what can I say?

Carolynn
A Glowing Ember

mkd said...

Loving these photos - especially the chickadees. I have been in love with the idea of getting two little finches for my home. What do you think? Sane? Insane? Is it cruel to the birds - in the same way puppy mills are bad for dogs? I work at a dog humane society so I understand how puppy mills are bad - but I am not sure if it is the same for birds.

Gayle said...

Love these photos and your musings.
TY.

Thinking of you and yours.

Country Girl said...

Do you mean birds in cages? I think that's lovely. Why would it be insane!

Lee Owenby said...

It's hard to pick a favorite because your photos are always sooooo good! But .... I really love the colors in the top one, the grays and shades of green. And I also really love the simplicity of the single chickadee on the wire. I paint and you just can't imagine how difficult it is to paint just that shade of blue and beige together and have it look good. Beautiful photos! Hope you have a good week!

Nancy said...

I love Mark Ruffalo. Have a not so secret crush on him. Saw that movie -- great stuff.

Beautiful bird photos -- we're just getting mostly sparrows right now.

Cindi said...

you take the most exquisite photos. I love that nuthatch posed on the side of the tree.

Country Gal said...

Fantastic photos ! Our hummers are still around to . I am waiting for our nut hatches to arrive . The mornings here had been wonderful and cool as had the nights but a bit of humidity has returned as this time of year we get all sorts of odd temps . Thanks for sharing . Hope you have a lovely week !

sharon said...

Sounds like a nice weekend. I think we all need a nice weekend once in a while. Mine was good as well. Been watching the Sherlock Holmes series from the BBC. It has been very good. Love the birds, wish we had more of a variety.

forgetmenot said...

Oh, I've missed your lovely posts but haven't had much time for blogging lately. Love all your bird shots and the bokeh. The zinnia one is lovely. Hope all is well and live is good. Mickie ;)

JC said...

Again, I love all of your photos.

Harrison and Mark are good in my book too.

Just something about them ...

Take care this week,

JC

mrs mediocrity said...

Sigh... I just love your bird photos. These are all wonderful.

And ha, while I was having my jewelry-making marathon recently I re-watched You Can Count on Me. It is a great movie.

And you made me giggle with Those Beaks are Made for Crackin... snort.

xo

Bluebird49 said...

I didn't know the titmouse was bluish either! Still love little chickadee as much as any though! You and I would be able to sit and enjoy the same music any day---good choices!
Blessings Kate!

Candace said...

You do the best bird photos ever.

Chesapeake Bay Woman said...

Beautiful as always. I particularly love the bright colors in the zinnia shot.

it's me said...

Birds are one of my passions! Love the action photos.

The red zinnias could win a prize.

Daryl said...

this is post is super ... you've given Audubon a run for the money (that is such a lame expression)

Kerri Farley said...

LOVE your birdies :)

The JR said...

Beautiful pictures. I've seen a hummingbird a few times. But it was going so fast, no way to photograph it will my slow camera.

Rain said...

Oh Kate your photos take my breathe away... They are so beautiful.... U capture the birds just perfectly... Whether in action or thinking about their next move!!
Find peace my friend,
Rain ...... From Maine...... Autumn coming here fast.....

The Weaver of Grass said...

Your birds are so different from ours over here in the UK - more exotic somehow. Your photography gets better and better too. Hope you have a good week this week.

Sabrina Steyling said...

Those little birdies are so cute! I love seeing your photos of them because they make me smile.

Karen thisoldhouse2.com said...

You capture the bokeh in a photo so well.... makes me want to focus a little more on trying to capture it...

Deb said...

gorgeous photos Kate ~ you get a nice variety of birds in your garden. hoped all year to get a hummingbird pic but no luck - yours is amazing ♥

Caroline said...

Oh I love these shots! And the zinnia's *sigh* so pretty. I hope all is well in your world. It's nice to be back blogging again...missed you! xo

Hilary said...

Beautiful, restful photos, Kate. I always love seeing your lovely feathered friends.

GailO said...

It looks like your winter visitors are there already! Beautiful color and bokeh indeed! You are so talented...and patient:)

Unknown said...

Ha! Melitta is the VERY BEST coffee....we've been using one for over 10 years now......smiles