What grows on our place is whatever shows up and can survive. And one such plant that make use of our place is a weed (to some), Herb (to others) and a little bit of wonderful to me. Meet the first Fleabane of the season!
Dandelions are to many a nuisance. Yet others use them as an herbal medicine or for making wine. For me they are something else entirely. I simply like taking pictures of them. The composite yellow flower is beautiful in color and a great feeding station for early pollinators. I have several photos already this year with some type of bee getting loaded up on pollen and nectar. Then there is the seed head. That is when the Dandelion starts to look like Albert Einstein’s hair. There is never one seed head that looks like the other, sort of like snow flakes, well to me anyway. So here is a seed head I took on a walk this weekend.
“We may pass violets looking for roses. We may pass contentment looking for victory.” Bern Williams
The Bride and I had a wonderfully slow-paced kind of day today. It just felt right not to rush and to enjoy life at one-eighth speed. If we were trucks we would have been in granny gear. It is a good gear to be in and I advice you to try it once in a while.
After arriving home I wanted to extend that slow down pace with a nap. I decided it was to close to bed time. So what to do? Take a lazy walkabout of our place in search of things that bloom I thought. And I did just that. Here are a few more tiny treasures.
The “dead” rose-bush I was given is starting its second full Spring. It is looking good so far.
I have no idea what this little plant is but I do love those little blooms and velvet like leaves. Its probably a weed but it is one of the few things growing well around here
This is another one of those ” I do not know that it is” kind of thing but I like em’. Also they are very tiny: Look below for a comparison showing you just how tiny.
All the above photos were captured with my Canon Powershot SX10is.
After several runs around town today The Bride and I headed to an art show downtown. It was good to be greeted by blooming Bradford Pears outside the shop the show was being held in. I actually felt my spirits lift a little, so bring on the blooms!
I found this Magnolia tree in full bloom within the confines of an alley way. Other than the Daffodils it is the only other flowering find I have come across so far this Spring. I will be out and about this weekend searching for such finds. Wish me well!
Spring arrived blessedly early last year and I had hopes for the same this year. Well it was not to be as Winter hung on for an encore of sorts. The temps have been in the twenties, and a few times into the upper teens, at night and barley better during the day. Though the Daffodils showed up on time Spring did not. We have had a bit of snow and freezing rain since Springs scheduled arrival but the Daffodils have stood as vigilant vanguards the whole time.
I took several shots of the Dills on the Hill when the little sun we have had painted it in wondrous light. After downloading the pics I noticed the Daffodils were somewhat weather worn. I am now, and hopefully always, in awe on the strength of nature and the ways it finds to let its beauty shine through.
Below are four captures I took this afternoon of the Daffodils on the Hill. Two of the photos I used my Canon Powershot G3 and two my new-to-me Sony A300. On most of my photos I use Microsoft’s Digital Image Standard 2006 Editor for some one-touch editing/love if I feel it is needed. All four have had the same one touch ” love” applied to them. I have been shooting, since my introduction to the digital world, with point and shoots almost exclusively. I am new to the DSLR world and must admit I take better portrait photos with them than my point and shoots. I feel I take better nature shots, both micro/macro and broad spectrum captures, with my point and shoots. Also it is easier for me to carry around a good point and shoot than my DSLR equipment.
Other than ease of access and size cost is a big issue. I know first hand that DSLR equipment is expensive, well at lest for my budget. I have been able to gather five point and shots for the less than , though just barely, my Sony A300 body alone. With the lenses added in I have come in at about half of the cost for with my point and shoots! There are many opinions, both pro and con, for both formats but I have just one question in this DSLR vs Point Shot debate: Can you tell which camera I used on which capture?
The temperatures here, since Springs official arrival, have been staying in the high thirties to low forties during the day. The low twenties are not uncommon at night. Though they have dipped into the teens a time or two just for good measure. As mentioned before the Sun has spent very little time in my corner of the world this winter. It has been the same this Spring as well but today must have been worthy of its presence. I for one am glad.
Here is a few photos from the Hill I took before the Sun went about its daily, or nightly, rounds. Enjoy!
I used my Powershot SX10is in both of the above captures.
I am once again forced to look at old captures to post since Spring, and its’ many flavors of colorful things, is late getting to the party. I found this shot from about this time last year. It is as if new life, represented by the flower bed, is out front leading you to the old like vanguards to the past.
Daffodil Hill Photography 