Thursday, December 6, 2012

Pick a number between one and ten . . .



. . . was it 7?

Ha ha, well not that it would make much difference now, but I was having a really hard time
deciding what to share with you today.

But before I get to that, I just want to say thank you to all of you who shared your thoughts on my 
Photo-heart connection on Tuesday, from the bottom of my heart!! It would seem that I am not alone.

I was having trouble deciding because I've taken a truck load of photos lately. I just can't help it I love the light this time of year, and the sunrises seem to be extra incredible, but I did go somewhere I haven't been with my camera earlier in the week. A park with trails, but I never made it to the trails once I found a small boardwalk overlooking a small protected wetland area. As I started walking I immediately spied several birds hunting in the water, and so I had to go into my stealth mode. You know the one where you pretend not to see them, while taking baby steps sideways...inching your way closer and closer, just praying you don't scare them away. And since I don't have"birding" lenses I was super excited that I had made it to the middle of this boardwalk with no one flying away.

I really could spend all day just watching these magnificent birds,


and their fishing prowess . . . 


and was definitely soaking in of all the incredible reflections! They kinda make my knees weak, you know what I mean?


It almost looks like I squished this photo (is there such a thing?), but he sure did spy something in the water and got lower and lower turning  his head almost level with the water.

And, I might have started singing . . . fly me to the moon . . . for real, and this guy seemed pretty interested and started walking closer . . .and closer . . .  


until apparently I hit a bad note......it ruffled his feathers a bit. Don't blame him, I'm not very musical,
that's my daughter's gift. But isn't he the cutest?


And before I was ready to leave, it started to sprinkle, and then it started to sprinkle a little harder.
If I had only had my umbrella in the car...if I had only known it was going to rain. I was quite enjoying the sprinkle, but the camera not so much. Santa forgot the camera raincoat last year, maybe now he'll bring it?


And even though our photo art Friday won't return until the first of the year, I couldn't resist.  I used one of Bonnie's textures but very lightly over a photo where I was experimenting with slow shutter speed to get a painterly effect. And there is a fine line between too much and not enough speed to get this right, but I'm practicing and having fun with it, because right now I'm all about breaking the rules! And I'll share more about this later.


"I take photographs with love, so I try to make them art objects. But I make them for myself
first and foremost - that is important."  - Jaques-Henri Lartique

Have a great weekend and until next time,
Love, Kim
XO

Sharing with This and That Thursday, Thursdays Favorite Things, Little Things Thursday, Fabulous Friday, Finding Serendipity, Favorite Foto Friday, Foto Friday




36 comments:

Tamar SB said...

Kim, these are so amazing! I am glad you didn't resist sharing these with us!

Anonymous said...

These are very tranquil photos to look at. I love looking at nature.

Patty said...

love the reflections... so crisp, and your story made me giggle... he is a cutie! :))

Kim Cunningham said...

Never cease to be amazed and inspired by your nature photography. You have a gift, my friend. Lovely, lovely!

Pieni Lintu said...

Wow - so cool shots!!

tiarastantrums said...

COOL - birds - we do not have these types of birds here in Chi. Well, if we do, I never see them! Just ducks, geese and an occasional swan

Barbara said...

Nice images of the birds

Sherri B. said...

Ohmygosh, these are awesome! The one with the ruffled feathers made me laugh out loud. So funny! He was a bit ruffled by your presence, I think. lol :D

Those reflections are so beautiful...great captures!

Kathryn Dyche said...

Wow I can just imagine your excitement and I know exactly what you mean about stealth mode, he, he, he. Stunning photos my knees went weak too.

Linda/patchwork said...

Great photos. Especially love the one with fluffed feathers.

Deanna said...

Oh wow, love these. I giggled on your description of walking sideways so the birds wouldn't notice...I guess they can't see us if we stand sideways. hee hee!!

Molly said...

These are all really excellent but my favourite it the handsome chap with the ruffled feathers.

Mollyxxx

Anonymous said...

These are splendid images! You have captured them so beautifully! Thanks for sharing them with us.

Dotti said...

Love all your shorebirds! And thanks for the tip about how to trick them into staying put as you sneak over to them. Snowy egrets are one of my favorites and your shots are fabulous.

Linda said...

I love the bird looking sideways! It's always fun to watch these birds! I'm waiting for the geese to take up residence on a local pond. I'll be going into stealth mode then!

xo,
Linda

SKCPhotos said...

Fabulous shots of these herons (I believe anyway). What a great spot you found.

tinajo said...

Such magnificent birds! :-)

Linda W. said...

What great photos! Especially love the reflections.

Anonymous said...

I'm always drawn to pictures with a lot of reflection in them. these are lovely.

Carol said...

I've just happened upon your blog and I'm thanking my lucky stars that I've been able to see these stunning bird photographs today. What a wonderful talent you have. And I love your poppies.

Kerri Farley said...

Whoooooosh........ that's my breath being taken away!
Truly stunning captures!
WOW!

Victoria said...

Magnificent post..pure poetry! Beautiful and outstanding!
Victoria

carol l mckenna said...

Truly beautiful photography of nature's gems ~ (A Creative Harbor) ~ aka 'artmusedog' ^_^

Anonymous said...

Wonderful shots...Herons are so difficult to shoot, well for me anyway - they always fly off and I get blur...lol

Love the wet fluffy shot best :-)

Have a great Day
Lou

Unknown said...

These photos are amazing. I bet you had a great time just walking along capturing all these great photos.

Hugs~

Anonymous said...

wow! these are really magnificent, and your shots are truly wonderful!

Lori said...

Always so beautiful. I watched an egret stalking his prey this weekend, when I was on a fishing try. (I enjoyed that more)

Thanks so much for sharing with Foto Friday,
Lori

Anonymous said...

what wonderful captures of feathered friends

Honey from the Bee said...

Oh to be able to go on one of these forays with you, Kim! Just beautiful and serene. Love all the reflections and that "squished" down one - very cool!

Marvett Smith said...

Beautiful images! You're right. Those reflections are amazing!

Rosemary Aubut said...

Awesome images! Love the mirror images!

Vision By Mila said...

love the ruffled one :D

Ross said...

Wow! Some really fantastic shots here. I really like the one with the ruffled feathers. I love how you caught some really great reflections off the water.

Laura Delegal - Leroy Photography said...

Those are incredible photos. Keep it up. Keep it up, keep it up!

Jeanne said...

Love your shots and you must "have it down" to look as if you are not paying any attention to the birds. They do spook easily. lovely work, and hope that you have a wonderful Christmas!

Katie said...

Love all these shots, the reflections are incredible!

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