the swimmer

Early morning contemplation listening to the birds and the swimmer's steady pull on the water.

only a mother could love

 This is the mother. She was flitting around and singing, while I was photographing. What I soon discovered was her little one was sitting ever so quietly on a hidden branch in the bushes waiting to be fed. When I first saw the baby I couldn't believe what I was seeing. Her eyes were huge and she has this wild just got out of bed look. Notice the wiry hair behind her head? She did not move, she even closed her eyes and had a nap while I was there. Really funny looking, maybe you had to be there.....

out of line

The crowd keeps together and the warmth is centered, yet when you break away ever so slightly there is more of you to share.

whew it's hot

The birds are quieter and really hot. This fluffy robin just had a cool bath. 

the little huntress

Tully will sit with me while I'm photographing the birds in the garden. It's amazing to me how still she sits under my tripod, giving my toes a lick every so often. She stares at the birds, watches them come and go, not a sound or a move from her. She can sit like that for 45 minutes. But god help her if a chipmunk comes along, she can't contain herself. She is fortunately not a very good huntress. She has tried many techniques, most of them have failed. She has tried the full on charge, (no luck) she has recently developed a cat like stalking, but that hasn't worked very well either. Out of frustration she ran in the house, went straight to her toy box and pulled out this stuffed chipmunk. She ran back outside and dropped it at her feet and continued her watch. Every so often she grabs it and gives it a death shake.

On demand

Happy fathers day to all you dads. You work hard, get up early and constantly take care of the little ones. Thank heavens for dads!

They call me Sam

I live on a farm, I got plenty of friends, life is good. How about you?

shall we dance?

I love irises. 

They are intense, their petals are broad and beautiful, and they seem to unfold in a welcoming way. Actually like a flamingo dancer who flips her skirt and presents her vibrant colors, hoping to win the attention of the gardener, and in this case the photographer...

Little connectors

I went into the garden this morning to photograph water drops. The world is saturated, it's been raining forever. I met up with these characters. Between the two of them they are no bigger than 1/4 inch. Did I say between the two of them? There is NO getting between the two of them. 

a fan of feathers

Went to the egg farm today and met this distinguished peacock who was happy to pose for me. Love the royal blue and lime green with a hint of aqua in his feathers. It got a bit windy and I thought he might fall over with all of his feathers displayed, but no, he just lost his balance, stumbled a bit and carried on. I was impressed.

so sweet

The birds were so active this morning in the garden. Lots of them. Tully and I watched them quietly for about an hour. The male cardinals were dive bombing each other which was a bit disconcerting. Then the finches who gathered in social groups in the apple tree totally swept me away. This courting male offered his sunflower seed to his hopeful. She fluffed and swooned and accepted it after a bit of branch negotiations. There goes my heart again.

garden attendant

Tully helps plant seeds in the garden while chasing after chipmunks.

Yesteryear

This reminds me of grandmothers with white gloves, hand fans and parasols. Not that I had one of those.

purple pleasures

We are witnessing an outburst of emotion from this passion flower!

and on and on

Is she ever going to stop with the flowers! I know that is probably what you may be thinking, but I can't seem to help myself. Every time I go to my image files I get pulled into my NY Botanical flowers. They make me shake my head in disbelief, how can they be so beautiful. So be patient with me, this won't last forever.... 

An opening

Tomorrow and Today reflected in a still pond at the NY Botanical Gardens.

in the garden

You just need to get down on your knees and really look at the garden. Just throw yourself in there till you sneeze from all of the pollen. Go ahead put your head in there and just smell the dirt. Feel the soft baby skin petals. And while you're at it pick a few weeds before you get back on your feet.

under the big top

Really truly this is what I saw, I did a little post editing but the colors were fantastic and intense and this just makes me laugh! I mean can you believe this? I feel like I've been to the circus.

petal pleasures

I have so many beautiful flowers to share with you. Purple velvet petals with a hint of tomorrow's reality.