Archive for the Nature Photography Category

Sunday Stills — Wildflowers, Leopard Lily

Posted in Nature Photography with tags on July 5, 2009 by mudranch

We live in a gorgeous area of California, somewhat still hidden from the daily rush of the busier places.  Over looking us is a large wilderness area which we call locally, “The Alps.”  They are rugged snow capped mountains of granite which house multiple lakes and creeks with lush meadows.  Amongst all this breathtaking beauty is my absolute favorite flower, the Leopard Lily (I commonly call it a Tiger Lily which it is not.)

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They grow in very wet, shady areas right on the edge of running water.  I have often seen them in marshy meadows where they are growing in a couple of inches of water — often they are neighbors of fern.

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I had gone fishing with Hubby and a friend up at the base of the Alps a week or so ago and as we fished down the creek, I had noticed a small stream pouring in to the creek.  I followed it up the side of the mountain a little ways and found a patch of my flowers.  The sight of them always makes little butterflies in my stomach.

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This was a nice sized patch but it is even better when you find a whole meadow full of them.  Their elegance is incomparable.

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Hubby recently came back from one of his log moving adventures to our friend’s mill and brought back a small bouquet from our friend’s spring.  He knew that a little handful of these lilies is the way to this girl’s heart.

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The Leopard Lily is so delicate and fine, the colors are vibrant.  I enjoy every second of enjoying them — especially with my lens!

Rainy Day Work – Photo Cards

Posted in Crafting, Nature Photography, Photography with tags , , , , , on May 4, 2009 by mudranch

We’ve been receiving some very much needed rain here the past couple of days and it has given me good opportunity to stay inside and work on my photo cards I’m going to sell at our Peddler’s Faire.  I wanted to share what I’ve got so far, and thank you all for responding to my questions.  I have taken what every one has said and use your thoughts to create — so far, this is what I have and there’s more to come… some with quotes, some without.

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This is “Sister,” we call her that because my daughter and her share the same first name… Obviously I’m a fan of Annie Oakley.  I didn’t get a lot of ‘wows’ over the other photo I took and actually found this one that I liked better.  Getting shots of grazing is a hard thing to do, if you want to make it look creative.

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This is part of my Lupine Series…

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… as is this one.  How do you like them?  I was thinking these would be in a little bundle of Lupine photos tied with some raffia and a little tag.

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I think I’ll include this one in a scenic set, since I don’t have a series on geese, but like them anyway and I know a lot of people around here do too.

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And this is one of my favorites.  I’m actually thinking on having it turned into a canvas for myself (without the border though.)

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And last but not least, this photo of our local river which flows right next to the Peddler’s Faire.  It’s always a good thing to have some “local-ness” for those that want a little token of the world around them.

What do you think so far?

Sunday Stills — Flowers & Plants; Lupine

Posted in Annie, Nature, Nature Photography, Photography, Sunday Stills with tags , on May 2, 2009 by mudranch

For this week’s challenge over at Sunday Stills, Ed gave us yet another subject that I love — Flowers & Plants. 

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I have a favorite patch of Lupine that grows near by at our local lake.  I found the patch last May and went to check and see if the flowers were blooming yet, especially with all the hot weather we’d been having the week before.

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Fortunately for us here in Northern California, we’ve been getting some rain and it let up enough for me to take photos of my patch of lupine leaving beautiful little diamonds on their leaves.

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Though my patch isn’t quite in full bloom yet, I plan to go back for more photos this coming week hopefully in the morning when the light starts to filter through the trees.

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Taking my daughter with me to look at the pretty flowers is always fun as everything is so new in her eyes.  Of course, like any little girl, she wants to pick them too…

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It is a flower’s fate, to be grasped by a little girl’s hands.

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Isn’t it interesting how we can get so bored with life and the things that are made by human hands but we never tire of seeing another sunset, sunrise, spring, or fall?

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I really don’t believe that’s by chance.

Enjoy your Sunday!

Spotlighted Mr. Finch

Posted in Nature, Nature Photography with tags , on April 29, 2009 by mudranch

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Linger awhile upon some bending planks
That lean against a streamlet’s rushy banks,
And watch intently Nature’s gentle doings:
They will be found softer than ring–dove’s cooings.

Sometimes goldfinches one by one will drop
From low hung branches; little space they stop;
But sip, and twitter, and their feathers sleek;
Then off at once, as in a wanton freak:
Or perhaps, to show their black, and golden wings,
Pausing upon their yellow flutterings.

— John Keats

Wordless Wednesday — Scenes of Yesterday

Posted in Annie, Jacob Sheep, Nature, Nature Photography, Photography, The Dogs on April 22, 2009 by mudranch

Trying my hand at “M” for Manual mode on the camera — I’ve done it before but now I’m forcing myself to shoot “M” all the time.

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