Iris Versicolor

Blue Flag Iris

The best light for photographing these is on the Southeast side of the pond.  It is shade.

Blue Flag Iris

That side of the pond is guarded by a male Red-winged Blackbird.  This particular male is extra feisty.  He has never touched me but he has intimidated me by flying close to the back of my head.  I have felt the wind from his wings.  I have watched him with other people, unsuspecting, who walk around the pond on that side.  From a distance it is funny to watch their reaction, but up close I don't find it funny.

Red-winged Blackbird

I recognize his agitated "chirping" and finally when extremely defensive he emits a whistle.  When I hear it, I know that an "attack" is eminent.  He has intimidated me to the point that I have thought about murder, not what the rational me wants to do.  I have actually avoided that area to avoid confrontation.  Had I completely done that I would not have the images of the Blue Flag Iris.  I have accommodated his aggressive behavior with defensive behavior of my own.

Larry in Defensive Raiment.

Beyond this effort I still have murder in my heart.

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Wild Cherry

Wild Cherry

These are buds of the Wild Cherry, another blooming tree.

Wild Cherry

If memory serves, the berries are blue, deep blue.  I'll try to show them later when they form.

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Black Locust Finalle II

Black Locust Setup

These images are probably my definitive expression on Black Locust for this year.

Black Locust

I have spent several hours over at least four days photographing this tree and its blooms.  I have considered the background, the light on the subject, and DOF.  It is a bright location and I did not have lower light on the background to accentuate the subject.

Black Locust

Until today, I thought this was my best shot.  Today, I have trouble with the limb in the background.  I also decided that I wanted less DOF, as in this shot, to obscure the background and enhance the subject.

Black Locust

Today, I think this is my best shot.  The limb is nearly behind the pinnate leaf.  I can see the thorns on the branch.  The background is soft.  This is a focus stack of five shots.  I was "lucky" with focus because the breeze was starting to blow.  You could barely feel it but it would make the leaves move even though I used a rose holder.

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Black Locust Finale I

Black Locust Setup

The Black Locust, as I may have mentioned earlier, is blooming beautifully this year.  I like to hang out photographing it because it is beautiful and sweetly odoriferous.  I have been more aware of background as I work the scene.  I have come to like the effect of the flash to enhance the subject.

Black Locust

I think the pinnate leaves really add to the image.

Black Locust

I was reminded, the other day that these trees still have thorns.  They are so beautiful and smell so good that I forget.  We will see thorns tomorrow.

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Shutter Speed and Action Photography

I photographed an helicopter the other day and I was reminded that I need to slow my shutter from 1/1000th to 1/500th.  With 1/1000th it stops the propeller or rotor.  It looks like it is ready to fall out of the sky.

Propeller Movement

I did not know if I could handhold it steady enough to get a sharp image.  This one lacks some sharpness but is still sharp enough to show and you can see the propeller movement blur.

Canada Geese

  The next question was, "Can I make sharp images at 1/500th."  I had the rig mounted on a monopod for this one and it turned out sharply.  

This is almost mid-day light and it is not what I would choose given the option.  The good thing about this light is that there is plenty of it and I can trade light for DOF.  I was able to shoot at f/11 making it easier to have more than one of them in focus.

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Tiger Salamanders

Tiger Salamander

They have passed the 2" mark now.  The rear legs are developing nicely.

Tiger Salamanders

I have returned all but five, now.  

Tiger Salamanders

I think they soak up oxygen from the water through their skin.

Tiger Salamander

I feel that I need to prove these creatures are salamanders.  I know that I do not.  They will metamorphose into the creatures we know.  Only time is needed.  I think they are nurtured by my techniques.  I feed them turtle food and run an air stone in their bucket.  They seem extremely strong and to be growing quickly.

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Surprised By Ecstasy

I find myself wishing I could write poetry when I have an experience like this.  Words fail me.

Bathroom Window View

I arrived in the bathroom for my daily bath noting the sun was out and the temperature was warm.  I thought that, a good combination warranting the opening of the window. 

Miss Kim Lilac in Bloom

I discovered the Miss Kim Lilac bush outside the window to be in full bloom.  Lilac is perhaps the second favorite fragrance of my life.  The warm spring breezes filled my bathroom with it.  I could hear the birds singing and people talking several houses down.

Miss Kim Lilac in Bloom

My life has become a series of “maybe lasts” and I was thankful, exceedingly, to experience this again.

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