Passion or Compassion

No doubt when we are taken by surprise, good or bad it can trigger emotions. We are never prepared for the unknown. This week was no exception; from a stealth dragonfly in my face to flowers blooming in unknown places and suddenly appearing where you know you didn't plant them. But those would be the least of my worries. And then there's the incident at work where one of your fellow flight attendant coworkers gets beat up severely by a passenger. How does this happen? While I have a hard time wrapping my own head around that one and wondering what are people's passion in life? What are they focusing on? How do we have compassion for everyone in this crazy world we live in? I try to focus on the good in life on my down time. Gardening and photography being my most enjoyable hobbies. My vegetable garden seems to have more than vegetables growing in it these days. Last fall I had an unknown plant that never bloomed so I never could tell what it was. So, in the spring it came up again, I thought at first it was a Clematis, but it didn't produce anything of the sort. I decided I would put it in a pot and keep a close eye on it to see what it would do this year. It just seemed like an ordinary vine growing not producing once again. Till the other day, I was watering and when I looked up, to my surprise, this vine was a Purple Passion! How did that happen?  I can only speculate. But oh how I remember the days and walks of photographing my first sight of a purple passion! The Purple Passion is a vine that can grow up to 25ft in length. It is a Wildflower. Yes, wild. The unusual wildflower was given the name Passion flower because the floral parts were once said to represent aspects of the Christian crucifixion story referred to as the Passion. The 10 petal parts represents the disciples of Jesus, excluding Peter & Judas; the five stamens the wounds Jesus received; the knob-like stigmas the nails, and the fringe the crown of thorns. I'm delighted with my surprise of the purple passion and will make permanent plans for planting it in a special place this fall.

Annual Tree Frog

I grow Morning Glories that seem to attract at least one 4 webbed visitor each year. This year was no different but to my surprise the location was a bit different. Do tree frogs like water?
I came home and stepped out of my truck hearing a very loud and proud tree frog. I thought, ok, wow, it's in my garden with the morning glories as usual. But the loud croaking seemed closer. As I walked towards the loud singing, I realized it had to be close to if not IN the water fountain! I guess if I were a tree frog on a hot summer night, I'd be sitting on the edge of a water fountain too! Something about relaxing and listening to the flow of water..... I moved my fountain last week to be centered in my perennial garden, where I not only spend all my time, but where I can also keep a close eye on it for maintaining and keeping it full due to the high heat this summer. So of course, I'm thinking this is a good photo op as I quickly drop my purse and get my cell phone in position before it disappears into the night. I was able to get a couple photo's before it discontinued it's song and hopped off the fountain some where's into the garden for safe hiding. Usually, my visiting tree frogs hang around for about a week.  I'm hopeful I'll have another opportunity during day light for more photo's.  Until then, this is my evening's serenader!

1 wish, 7 wonders, 7 days

Seven wonders for seven days...The anniversary week of my Mother passing I was bringing in groceries and admiring my gardens. I looked around and asked' "Lord, where are all the butterflies this year?" It's summer and I haven't really photographed much of them. I placed the groceries on the kitchen table like I always do and when I came back outside, Lord and behold, there in my garden was a beautiful Swallowtail Butterfly! Wow! Nothing like a "Ask & yee shall receive!" I must have spent about an hour photographing the butterfly and being grateful for all I have. The next afternoon I was surprised again by a different butterfly, this time a dark black swallowtail, not so perfect, but perfect for me being two days in row!. My week continued all in the same manner...every day, every afternoon, for not one, not two, not three, but for seven days in a row a beautiful butterfly or moth came into my garden for me to enjoy and photograph. Some allow me to get close, or place their tiny legs on my fingers, others not so much, staying their distance but keeping me in sight.  Each one was different, some perfect, some not so perfect with torn wings. How some stay so balanced in flight with ripped wings is beyond me, much like us people, with scars but carrying on. But my week, was perfect. I miss my Mom. Together we would collect butterflies, read about them and even collect the caterpillars to watch the winged wonders hatch from their cocoons. We would watch the butterflies dance and fly away free leaving us with the magic and wonder of nature. Thank you Mom, I know you are here in spirit, Thank you Lord.
Since there are so many butterflies and moths that I photographed, I felt a video would be more appropriate. Enjoy!

Let the light shine through

Lighting is very important in taking photographs. The best time of day to take photographs is early morning or late afternoon. That way the sun does not wash out your subject during the brightest part of the day. I prefer to photograph with natural lighting and getting up early to explore. It's amazing that something so simple can look so differently during a different hour of the day. So get up early, sip that first cup of coffee and go outside and let that little light shine!

Float like a Butterfly

More and more I find myself deeper and closer to nature. Some how, I have been blessed with an ability to not only find nature but at times it finds me. Some days I can get lost floating around in my own back yard following birds or butterflies. This day was no exception. While following a butterfly from clover to clover, it can become tiring. Standing up or sitting down. You just have to be patient and keep moving, turning the camera, turning your body, changing the angle for focusing, and still trying to get as close as possible. By the time you get all that into place in your view finder, it will probably flutter away to the next blossom! I was determined to get close to this one cabbage butterfly. Finally it headed to my blue hydrangea's and settled down for a long cool drink of nectar! I knew this would be an excellent opportunity to sit and photograph. Patience is a virtue they say! Keep shooting and never give up!

Wise Ole Owl Tale

Occasionally I hear dueling owls from my yard. It is interesting to listen to them in the evening after dark wishing I could go track them down for photographs. This evenings hoo hoo, hoo, hoohoohoo reminds me of an afternoon gardening when the sound of two Barred owls caught my attention. And yes, I did say afternoon, I looked at my watch immediately and it was just past 2pm! I was dressed in a tank top and short cut offs with dirt from head to toe. I thought, well, this is your chance. So I ran in the house, grabbed my camera and hurried across the street. My neighbor was outside and I asked permission to go through her back yard. She agreed and said owls are generally near her home. I had to make my way through the pricker bushes and across a small creek to get close enough where I could see one owl. I focused and anxiously clicked the shutter hoping the owl would remain close enough for me to get a shot. No sooner, did my camera send me a message, "Please insert memory card". Oh my gosh, I could not believe it! Well that wasn't very wise of me! The one time I actually get to photograph an owl in it's own habitat and I forgot to insert the memory card! I sadly watched the owl fly from one tree to another. I looked around to get my bearings and decided to go home and retrieve a memory card. I could only hope the owl would be in the same spot or close by when I returned. The owls had stopped communicating by this point and I never did see the second owl. So I quickly went back through the creek and pricker bushes to go home and start over on this adventure! Much to my surprise when I arrived in front of the pine tree where I last saw the owl, it was still there! Wow! I couldn't believe it, almost like it was waiting just for me. I must have taken about 20 photographs of the owl. As I approached closer I stopped in my tracks when a crow came and sat down beside the owl. The crow looked at the owl and cawed, almost to ask, "What do you think Wise Owl?" I kept right on taking photo's of the two in conversation. The crow flew on it's merry way and the owl turned to glare at me with a "You still here?" expression. I snapped one more shot knowing it could be my last before it took to the skies. I was so excited and happy, I didn't care much about my scratched up legs from prickers. My persistence and patience had paid off that day. However, word to the wise, don't ever leave your camera empty and without a memory card!

Memorial Day 2016

Every year we recognize and pay tribute to our Fallen Heroes on Memorial Day. Most of us have had a loved one or family member that has served and gave. All gave some, and some gave all. We are grateful for our Freedom in our Country. You are free to have family gatherings and BBQ's in your back yards, pay tributes in parades and festivals. Our streets and back roads are decorated with Ole Glory waving high. Some of us visit cemeteries and put place flowers & flags on loved ones burial sites. Today I paid my respects to the Veteran's portion of the local Cemeteries and Memorial Gardens. I came across a young Killdeer Mother bird on guard. Her nest was directly between two Memorial stones. I was surprised she let me get so close. The sun was in my eyes and as I crawled closer, I realized she was protecting 4 eggs. Take a moment and give Thanks to our Fallen Heroes, the ones that paid the sacrifices, and protects our Country so you can enjoy your Freedom.
Freedom is not Free!