Archive for May 2008

4

Swamp thing and the slithy toves

"Beware the Jabberwock, my son! The jaws that bite, the claws that catch! Beware the Jubjub bird, and shun The frumious Bandersnatch!

17

More than Tulips

The joyous colors of spring have returned. Life on the edge of the prairie is a delight at this time of year — warmth and humidity long strangers in this land. Like the prodigal son, they return to shock and confusion. The former no-man's-land of snow is once again a yard that needs mowing and tending to. And flowers, yes, flowers. Green is a welcome enough color, but the flowers a near sensory overload — a kin to coming off a long diet and plunging into a bender at the Willy Wonka factory outlet store. Now the thunderstorms are sweeping in at night and disturbing this perfect world. When you see the flowers stop! Stop and look, for tonight's storm may do them in.

16

Fruit from the Ball Bering Tree

Fruit from the Ball Bering Tree or Wide-angle vs. Wide-angle. I went to the Minnesota Arboretum this Sunday with Matt, Bob and Rob (Mitch, Matt, Bob & Rob ha!). We had a great time enjoying the beginning of the Minnesota summer: a wonderful thing. We are all suffering from LAS (lens acquisition syndrome) and make a good set, 2 Nikon, 2 Canon. It was like two beer drinkers and two winos out for a night on the town without any sober buzz-killers around. In fact, there were cameras all over the arboretum that Sunday morning — like regulars at the hottest club in town. One couple we saw had more gear than us, but were rude in an odd way; the heavy-drinking jerks of the night. So, like any good addiction bender, I eventually ended up face-down on the ground, in front of the Ball Bring Tree. The Ball Bering Tree, as I like to call it, is a big sturdy oak with garden globes scattered around under it. When we saw it, all of us gasped and ran to it like moths to a bug-zapper. This is my favorite shot from the moment; a self-portrait in a way — you can tell it's me by the Smokey The Bear hat. I am actually mere inches from the globe, but with my Tamron 11-18 Ultra Wide Angle lens it's hard to tell. With the over-cast sky, plenty of light was still able to filter in between my lens and the ball, so it still worked out. For those of you who know Matt (Ravsitar from Tips from the Top Floor) you will recognize him in his signature orange shirt on the left by the tulip field next to Bob. So get outside, enjoy the weather and find a new perspective — you might even find yourself.

2

Big Brother Grackle

Big Brother Grackle is watching you.

0

Geese Nibbling

The new 2008 geese are out!

1

Cell Phone Sunset & Rainbow

Thank goodness for the cellphone, if not, I'd have had to just stand there and enjoy the rainbow. What's Cell Phone Sunday all about?

10

Paddling While Distracted

Can you hear me now? Ploop, uh oh. People are the truly most fascinating subjects.

2

Yellow-rumped Warbler, Dendroica coronata

I just love these guys, they are so cheerful and cute. My friend Karen pointed out that warblers hop around a lot and it's true. They can be very frustrating with a long lens (focused, theres that branch... now where did he go?). One of the fun things about photographing all the birds with a big lens is that you realize the amazing diversity of birds. They were all sparrows, crows and robins to me before I started shooting. I never noticed these guys before. I still don't recognized them with the naked eye, the lens let's me identify them — though I am getting to know their chirp.

2

Barn Swallow, Hirundo rustica

This little buckarooo was gathering mud along the path on Lake of the isles to build a nest. Low morning sun is great for photographing birds, the low sun allows for capturing the iridescent quality of their feathers.