Appreciate Little Things

Yesterday was our student graduation.  After weeks of preparation, and hours spent pulling all the elements of the ceremony together, I was really spent. I have ached so badly from the physical labor that went into this I just haven't been able to sleep well...but today it was worth it to see the kids have a nice ceremony and enjoy their special day.

We didn't get home until around 5 PM since we had the meet and greet sessions through lunch, a cake reception, and post-graduation meetings with our president...exhaustion was upon us both.  While Allan walked our girls, I checked emails and tried to unwind a bit. When he returned, he brought a simple, tiny, daisy wildflower to me and laid it on my desk...it was so sweet! It also inspired a quick photo session, even as tired as I was, to remember the moment.

I have a wonderful husband!

A Feeder By Any Other Name

I think birds are interesting creatures. What goes on in such a tiny little brain? How can they know when to fly, how to fly, where to look for food, and other such stuff? And isn't it even more interesting that we feel compelled to help them with food and shelter? 

 

I used to have a birdfeeder in a previous life...had to fight the squirrels to keep it filled with plump, delicious seeds for the birds. I loved watching each tiny bird as it swooped in to take a peck or two at the array of seeds that seemed so appealing.  Just so awesome to watch their activities!

So this little birdhouse caught my attention and just absolutely begged me to see it from my camera's point of view...which, of course, I did. I think I need to get another feeder and help those littlest of creatures in their efforts to live in this tough old world. 

Hummers 2

Update to my "Hummers" post...I now have my own feeder and I'm patiently staking out the territory to capture these incredibly interesting birds. The feeder went up late yesterday afternoon, so I really didn't have a good chance until today to start shooting.  Patience is, of course, the name of this game.  Here are a couple takes for today:

Hummers!!

All my life I've been fascinated with humming birds! So tiny, with wings that wave faster than the eye can see and such delicate precision to their eating!

Our neighbor has a hummingbird feeder and today I had the opportunity to stand and watch until I could capture a hummer on camera. Patience, focusing on the one spot in which this particular one kept hovering, waiting until it drank and then "stepped back" for a moment before diving in again...it was several minutes of trial and error to capture it. (ah-humm...NOW would be a great time for that Canon L series telephoto lens I've wanted for a lifetime!) There was a second hummer that kept barging in, and the two kept swapping swats with each other for food space.  They buzzed right by me, their wings singing loudly in a buzzy kind of way...awesome.

I'm going to get myself a feeder.  I need to be closer to these birds (since I don't have a telephoto lens) and I want to fine tune my capture of them on camera.  This will be a fun project!

Tagged

It happened today.  Well, truthfully, the official change was made two weeks ago, but schedules have not allowed us to complete the change until today.  I've only experienced this once earlier in my life, but this occurrence didn't impact me nearly as greatly as the first.

We're officially Missourians. Yep. Got the tag...or should I say TAGS...to prove it. Apparently, Missouri requires TWO tags on vehicles, both front and back.  What can I say?  I guess we'll be here awhile.

Magnificent Sunset

Since moving to Blue Eye in mid-January, the weather has been difficult to say the least. It's snowed...a LOT. Ice, too. And then came the incessant rain...rain...rain...rain.... get the picture?? Cold, damp, wet, just really miserable. Just this past Monday, May 2, I wore my winter coat to work again because the temps were so low!! I am SO ready for sandal weather!!

For the past two days the sun has shined and the temps have been a bit warmer. At least, I should say, warm enough not to wear a sweater or coat, but still not quite warm enough for sandals. Boo. My feet need to be free! Anyway. I worked late but once I got home and the sun began to set I just had to get away and capture a memento of this wonderful gold liquid we call sunlight. It was glorious, and the sky was afire with its warm glow.

It was the perfect end to a wonderful day.

Fine Art America

Very recently, I signed up with Fine Art America.  I heard about it through some of my photography forums and I thought to myself, "Wow...a place where I can be creative with my photos and maybe sell a few!"  If you've never heard of it, check it out.  The interface is simple and there are LOTS of wonderful people out there with super creative talent.

Check out these water photos for a glimpse into what the site is all about!