spring visitors
We’ve had a squadron of wood ducks in our yard all spring. I don’t think they will stay, I believe they are passing through. And honestly, I don’t know if they are same ducks day to day or not. Their markings and colors are stop-in-your tracks arrestingly beautiful, no matter how many times I see them. Interestingly, this little side feather is the only one I have found so far. Spring is definitely not molting season, it’s mating season. But I am surprised I haven’t found at least a few more as the males jockey each other for the females’ attentions. Only one–it makes it feel like a gift.
wood duck feather
barely keeping up
I’ve been puttering out in the yard non-stop. Certainly more than is wise for my 61 year old body. But I can’t stop–perhaps it’s having been gone for a year. It feels good. But it also means I am not spending much time with my camera. I am sure you will forgive me this indulgence. Spring only last a few weeks, and once the bugs and humidity arrive, I much prefer the deck anyway.
dried pink tulip flower petals
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I really like this one! It’s so great to have you back!
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white subjects on black backgrounds
My day got away from me today. I had a (minor) medical procedure in the morning, and gave a zoom presentation to the Tampa Bay Camera Club in the evening, then talked to my daughter in CA for two hours. Nevertheless, it left little time for STILL blog. Hence, white rice on a black background–one of the perks of this new black background is the ease (and swiftness) of shooting white subjects.
white basmati rice
I say tomato, you say tomahto
Tamaracks are native to Minnesota. The sight of a stand of tamaracks lit by low autumn light, when the needles have just turned golden but not yet fallen, well . . . I don’t need streets paved with gold in my afterlife. I’ll take a swamp gleaming like filigreed brass in late October, in Northern Minnesota.
(By the way, in England tamaracks are called larch. What side do you fall on?)
old and new Tamarack cones on a single branch
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Such sweet little (are they little?) cones! I didn’t know that a larch and a tamarack were the same tree! I always called them larches, but I much prefer tamarack so will call them that from now on :) Thanks for teaching me something new, MJ!
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play day
My husband, Steve, is a tax preparer. So April 15 is a big day for us. Since he often is working right up until midnight on the 15th, we typically take April 16 as an official Play Day. This year, however, I got a raging tooth ache on April 14, and needed an emergency root canal on April 16. I am finally feeling better, so today was our postponed Play Day. You know you’re getting old when what you do on the day you play hookey from your life is visit four different garden centers. I have a feeling many of you will understand.
peace lily flower
P.S. Happy Earth Day Everyone!
