A week ago, I spotted this ladderback woodpecker, all puffed up as it warmed up in the morning sunshine.
Sunny Morning, Snowy Day
Where is Spring?
Where is Spring (sung to the tune of Where is Love? from Oliver!)? We just keep getting snow- and some rain. And then it melts- and then we get more. Today it is sunny- and cold (it snowed last night). Our plants just don’t know what to do! We have blossoms and buds and leaves and a nest with finch eggs attached to our wreath on the front door, but we still get snow. Can you tell I’m getting impatient?
Shelter from the Storm
Winter has finally hit Prescott! Until yesterday, our snowstorms had been short lived, depositing just a few inches that mostly melted by the end of the day. Yesterday’s storm left almost a foot of heavy wet snow, and today’s snow is expected to last most of the day. We are blaming the atmospheric river coming from the west.
Yesterday, our backyard birds emptied the feeders, so I took some extra birdseed and sprinkled some on the birdhouse. I was hoping for a photo like the one above, but the birds didn’t notice the extra seeds. Within an hour, however, a lone javelina came to eat up whatever birdseed had fallen to the ground.
This morning, a dozen or so sparrows, a finch, and a couple spotted towhees discovered the birdseed and flocked to the birdhouse. I stuck my lens through the sliding glass door and managed to get some shots of the sparrows through the dead willow branches and the falling snow.
Dark Mood
Last night, as the wind danced vigorously, it lent a captivating flair to my photographs of a cosmos. Although engulfed in a sea of thoughts, my intention was to craft an edit that exuded a certain mood – the kind that strikes a chord with the viewer. How many times can the word “mood” be gracefully integrated within a single sentence? Apparently, quite a few.
The above paragraph was created with AI- the photo is all mine!
I had no idea this was part of Word Press now- I just had to try.
Show-off
Morning coffee these days means sitting on the front porch watching the monsoon rains or sitting on the back patio and watching the hummingbird show. Today it was the hummingbirds.
We have had more hummingbirds than usual this summer and often they are vying for dominance in their territory. This morning they were zooming around so fast it was difficult to focus. Although they were focused on each other (and the feeder!), I considered they might actually fly right into me as I stood taking photos. As I write this, they are back at it again after a forced respite due to heavy rain.
I was in the mood for a soft photo when I edited this image, so muted the colors and added a blur and a paint filter over all. This is a look I like in photography- but does NOT reflect the mood of these feisty hummers.
Rose Duet
Just two of our roses…
Volunteers? Anyone, anyone . . . ?
My father always referred to flowers or plants that appeared out of nowhere “volunteers.” Is that the right word? Anyway, a couple years ago I noticed a prickly pear leaf growing out of the ground behind our rose bushes. We left it alone, and this year it developed several leaves and a couple dozen buds. I worried that they would open while we were gone for the week, but they waited until our return. Over the last few days, we’ve been enjoying the blossoms “volunteering” to add color and beauty to our garden.
Iris Impressions
Our photo group “final” was last week, one of the two topics being “Impressionism”. Since our irises are in bloom, I chose to create an impressionist image. I used intentional camera movement layered with a standard shot and some brushwork and a texture to give it a painterly quality. I’m delighted to have a camera, warm weather, and flowers in bloom as an excuse to sit in the backyard for hours at a time.
Springtime
It finally looks and feels like springtime around here! Trees have leafed out, flowers are being planted, and the barbecue is going- it’s wonderful time of year!
Morning Fog
Fog is so unusual here in Prescott that I had to document it!
Snow, snow, snow, snow, snow
It is a very snowy day. Understatement.
Usually I would delight in this beautiful winter day and not care that our hilly street isn’t plowed, because I could take photos or stay inside with my genealogy or a good book- BUT… we have appointments for our Covid vaccinations later today. Currently appointments are delayed for two hours, so we may have to be rescheduled. Trying to keep a positive attitude- like this flicker who is guarding the feeder (behind ) so no one else can get the frozen block of food.
#2021problems
The Bunny
Another portrait of “my” bunny
Hummingbird Portrait
August 2020 was the month of the hummingbird in our garden- they rule the back yard. When we are outside we are constantly “buzzed” as they make sure we know we are in their territory. We’ve had many more than ever before- is it the hot, dry weather? the fires elsewhere? Whatever the reasons, we have enjoyed having so many! Our local bird expert writes that some will start leaving soon (as they always do in September), but we imagine that we will continue to have a few that will stay around through the fall.
Hiding in Plain Sight
We have been enjoying watching the bunnies that have taken up residence in our yard. We often see them in the early evening scampering in the front yard- and then freezing in place as they realize we are outside.
There is actually a second bunny hiding in the shadows in the flowers behind the first one.
Hey, Good-lookin’ !
We are home a lot these days (no surprise. . .) and have plenty of time to watch the hummingbird drama unfold in our yard! This handsome little guy is one of a group of newcomers to our yard and has the others on their toes, so to speak, as he chases them away from the feeder. I have yet to capture a good photo of him hovering, so here he is just after landing on the feeder.
melinda anderson photography 