Apple Blossoms
26/05/10 Filed in: Spring
Crabapple Bokeh: ISO 400, 270mm, f/8, 1/500
Skyward Apple Blossoms: ISO 100, 35mm, f/8, 1/400
Our two apple trees are blooming.
The crabapple has the nicest looking flowers of our two trees with the dark pink buds which open to reveal a light pink flower. The apple tree has the nicest tasting apples of the two. The buds from the apple tree are light pink which open up to a pure white bloom.
Gotcha!
19/05/10 Filed in: Spring
Cedar Waxwing in Apple Tree: ISO 400, 380mm, f/8, 1/350
Waxwing Drinking: ISO 400, 380mm, f/8, 1/350
At long last I caught Cedar Waxwings in our yard!
It has been an unusually dry spring here. The bird bath has been a key attraction in our yard. The Cedar Waxwings have been in the Mountin Ash eating berries still on the tree from last year and then coming down for a drink.
I have spotted them the last few days but I was always in the house and when I go outside they flee. This morning I was working in the gardens and I guess they got used to me not being a threat and I was able to get some quick shots off.
Ta Da....It's Magic!
17/05/10 Filed in: Spring
Plum Buds: ISO 200, 35mm, f/5.6, 1/250
Plum Flowers: ISO 400, 120mm, f/8, 1/90
A before and after picture to show the wonderful magic of spring! The same shrub shot 5 days apart.
What's for Supper?
Purple Finch: ISO 400, 400mm, f/8, 1/250
House Sparrow: ISO 400, 320mm, f/8, 1/180
The snow is gone from the yard. There is still some patches of snow in the region but the weather is finally warming again. The May Long Weekend is fast approaching and we should be able to say goodbye to winter for awhile.
The bird activity in the backyard is still pretty busy. Been watching the crows carry nest building materials to the neighbours pine tree. The sparrows and finches are busy feeding on whatever they can find.
Two nights ago I took the camera out to watch the House Sparrows forage for food on the ground. From the image above it looks like they are finding little bugs to eat. As the temperature at the time was in the mid teens the bugs were probably coming out of hiding to warm up.
As I was calling it a night I headed back to the house and spotted some Purple Finches high in the Mountain Ash tree feeding.
I wasn't sure the shots I took would turn out as I had the heavy zoom on and had to point it upwards through tree branches without a tripod. So I was fearful of blurry out of focus shots. I managed to get a few good images.
The top picture shows that the trees are finally starting to leaf. In a couple of weeks it will be nearly impossible to get this shot as I would have to shoot through leaves and branches.
May Blizzard
04/05/10 Filed in: Spring
Sunbathing Tulips: ISO 200, 35mm, f/5.6, 1/500
The above photo was taken two evenings ago.
Snow Covered Tulips: ISO 200, 35mm, f/8, 1/100
The above photo was taken this evening.
Snow Garden: ISO 200, 35mm, f/8, 1/200
As you can see we got snow today. It never fails. At least this year the Ornamental Plum and Cherry Trees have not bloomed. We should still be able to enjoy them. Previous years they usually just started to bloom and the snow knocks off all the petals.
It's May!
02/05/10 Filed in: Spring
Sapsucker: ISO 400, 160mm, f/8, 1/350
Chickadee: ISO 400, 80mm, f/8, 1/500
Chickadee: ISO 400, 190mm, f/8, 1/250
House Sparrow: ISO 200, 250mm, f/8, 1/500
As mentioned in my previous post the birds are in abundance right now. They love playing and singing in our backyard. The finches and sparrows appear to be eating the flower buds on our Ornamental Flowering Plum and Japanese Cherry (I believe this is what the two shrubs are).
The top image is a Sapsucker/Woodpecker. I have yet to determine if it is a Yellow Bellied Sapsucker or a Red Naped Sapsucker. My guess is the Yellow Bellied variety as it does not appear to have the big red patch at the back of his neck. Both varieties are known to dwell in our area. Angela and I believe this is the same guy who pounds on the electrical pole outside our bedroom window in the early morning.
When I was composing the shot of the Sapsucker the chickadee flew right in front of me as if to see what I was doing. Maybe he was jealous as I was not taking his photo like I was the previous evenings. He flew so close that he got his wish and he quickly became the object of my affection.
The last picture is a female house sparrow on our Japanese Cherry. These are the most abundant birds that live and play in the backyard. She came out while I was cooking supper on the barbeque.
All these shots were taken today.