Nature – Page 20 – Daffodil Hill Photography

Ice, Ice and Some Gulls

Today I went to the lake to get shots of the geese. Well they must have found another spot since I saw nary a one. But the Gulls were there and seemed to enjoy the cold as well as the ice on the lake. As I was standing facing up the lake I heard a hissing-like sound from behind me. It was the ice building up on shore as the thin sheet of ice riding the waves came ashore. The top photo and the next were taking within twenty or so seconds of each other. Notice how much has built up in that short of time. The last photo is the Gulls just doing whatever Gulls on ice do. I took these with my Canon Powershot S3is.

Something Fowl From Awhile Ago

I came across several shots I had taken late Autumn 2012 with a Fujifilm S700. My Dad had loaned it to me after my beloved Canon Powershot S3is had died. During that time he bought himself a small Nikon and gave me the S700. I use it from time to time and this was my weapon of choice on a very bright but cold morning by the lake. I saw these this morning and it has me motivated to brave the cold and head to the lake here in a bit. Till The next time here is a little something fowl from awhile ago.

A Path Along the Lake

Winter Red Berries

2013 In Review by WordPress

I am a pretty clueless guy so I did not know really how many photos I uploaded and shared, nor how many visitors and views I had. I checked to see what was working and to challenge myself on the things that were not. After viewing my annual report I am amazed that so many people dropped by my place and commented on my stuff. It humbles me I am very thankful for you all.

I want to Thank WordPress, and their dedication to bloggers of all shapes, sizes and flavors, for the vehicle with which I have shared a sliver of my world with quite a few folks. The WordPress.com stats ~~helper~~ monkeys prepared this 2013 annual report for my blog. Thanks again and here is to a wonder-filled 2014!

Here’s an excerpt:

The concert hall at the Sydney Opera House holds 2,700 people. This blog was viewed about 8,400 times in 2013. If it were a concert at Sydney Opera House, it would take about 3 sold-out performances for that many people to see it.

Click here to see the complete report.

New Prespective

I am not a fan of Winter. The cold and lifeless nature of it has for years weighted me down. The three-plus months of the year it occupies I had wished I was a bear. Though I know nature is resting so was can have new life in the Spring, I have always seen it as a dead time of year. That is until today. I grabbed my SX10is Canon Powershot as I headed out for a small walkabout our place. As I made my way to the creek I simply stopped, closed my eyes and listened: There was the dead plants and bushes rustling in the wind but also the sound of birds fluttering about the place. So I stood under a tree on the banks of the creek and observed the varies small and busy birds gong about looking for food. There were several varies, none of which I can yet identify, but all were very much present and alive. As the next months turn colder and maybe grayer I will go for more walks and see if I cannot identify my Winter guests. Here is one from the day.

My Top Thirteen Of 13′

I have a confession: I like my stuff o.k. but not much has not been singing to me much this year. It was difficult to find thirteen I liked but as I was going through them I become hopefully though that 2014 will be a better year for you and me. Happy New Years ya’ll!

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA — A beautiful little Lady!

Trying out a bit of depth of field action with it as well.

Lovely paw of love. — Lovely little paw.

Rust and Chrome, an awesome combination!

Nice Iris shot with just a dusting of light. — Nice bunch of Iris’s with just a dusting of light.

A metal fence post painted by time in rust and adorned with dead vegetation.

A hand held shot of the moon being eating by a cloud.

Leading Lady

I enjoy the time I spend at the lake in our little town. The time I enjoy the most is when I am with The Bride, followed a distant second by the time spend taking pictures. He is one from the second place podium : It is of a female Mallard being followed by a male. Well I just captured his head but I hope you enjoy the picture of a leading lady.

Hummingbirds Past

I did not post very many of my hummingbird attempts from this past summer because, uh, well they sucked. I have a plan to move the feeders to a more photo-op friendly location next year but till then here are a few hummingbirds past.

Two From Autumns Past

With these two photos I am paying my respect to Autumns past since this is its last day for this year. I am also trying to bring some color to a very grey day, yep nothing says last day of Autumn and the first day of Winter like thunderstorms….yes thunderstorm a week after an ice-storm and snow storm. Well played Mother nature, well-played.