The coneflowers caught the sun while most of the garden was still in shade. At a different time of the day the light would have been more balanced but then I don’t think the picture would have been as interesting.
Tag Archives: Landscape
ANOTHER BLACK-EYED SUSAN
These are rudbeckia, commonly known as black-eyed susans. I caught them as they danced on the breeze.
MELLOW YELLOW
I like to watch bees as they fly between the flowers. Unlike other insects, they’re not scared off easily or bothered by my presence.
SUSPICION
It seems to me that damselflies often look suspicious when their photos are taken. 😏
SUNNY SIDE UP
Painted Turtles enjoying the summer sun.
DOWNY WOODPECKER
The downy woodpecker is the smallest woodpecker in North America. We see them all year round. If you hear a tapping sound in the woods it’s likely a downy going about its business.
SUMMER COLOURS (TWO PHOTOGRAPHS)
Given our short summers, it’s not only the warm weather I enjoy but the variety of flowers that spring up throughout the season. It looks like the blanket flowers are having a party!
PLEASING POPPIES (TWO PHOTOGRAPHS)
I like the brilliance of these red poppies but white poppies with their purple centres are appealing too.
QUEEN ANNE AND FRIENDS (TWO PHOTOGRAPHS)
Queen Anne’s Lace is just coming into flower. These flowers were in a garden setting though I usually see them in fields and along roadsides. It’s nice to see them thriving in the city too.
READY, SET, GO (TWO PHOTOGRAPHS)
Chipmunks always appear energetic, this one in particular!
LUNCH
The sparrow had to really stretch to feed on the seeds of this dandelion. I’ve never seen bird behaviour like this before 😏.
MID-WEEK DRAGONFLY
I’ve yet to get to the lake where I normally see dragonflies, so I thought I’d post a photo from a few summers ago.
ON THE VERGE (TWO PHOTOGRAPHS
It’s almost summer and these new arrivals are welcoming it in.
UNCOMMON STARLING
Nothing common about this Common or European Starling. Their plumage is extremely colourful and unlike many birds in the neighbourhood, they never shy away from my camera.
NEIGHBOURHOOD FAVOURITE (TWO PHOTOGRAPHS)
This was taken in a garden of an old house in the neighbourhood. The garden is left to itself and it’s thriving. It begins the season with a few tulips, then on to lilacs, lilies of the valley and later in the summer, tiger lilies. There are plenty of wild flowers too including these Dame’s-Rockets. A neighbourhood favourite for bees as well.
PURPLE AND WHITE (TWO PHOTOGRAPHS)
I’ve noticed a lot of violets this year. They’re pretty tenacious and can grow in shade or bright sunlight. As pretty as they are, they can take over a garden. Like many wild flowers/weeds, attractive to some a nuisance to others.
PAINTED LADY (TWO PHOTOGRAPHS)
Another reason to like dandelions. They attract beauties like these.
LAWN ART (TWO PHOTOGRAPHS)
I had to admire how a gardener turned an old tree stump into a thing of beauty.
I almost passed by the little statue in the second photo as it was quite hidden by all the vegetation. Its surroundings made it rather appealing.
GARDEN PARTY (TWO PHOTOGRAPHS)
We might not be able to gather but nothing is stopping the tulips from putting on a show. Some varieties are beginning to fade but many are still in fine shape.
NEIGHBOURHOOD FINDS (THREE PHOTOGRAPHS)
Walls and fences make for interesting subjects. I find the colours and textures appealing. Add some greenery to complete the picture.
ALL TUCKED IN (TWO PHOTOGRAPHS)
I liked the shapes and swirls in this image, the water forming perfect circles around the little duckling.
HINT OF VIOLET (TWO PHOTOGRAPHS)
These two flowers are early spring arrivals and share a subtle beauty. More delights of the season.
SPRING CLEARWING
I took this photograph in May 2019. It’s the first time I’d seen a clearwing so early. A pleasant surprise.
LAST SEASON
I took this photo in August when the cardinal hadn’t finished moulting and was still a bit patchy. Still stylish though!
ON A WALK
I almost missed seeing this little meadow vole or field mouse as it quietly moved through the leaf litter. If it sensed my presence it didn’t show it.
HEADING HOME (TWO PHOTOGRAPHS)
I like to capture the wake pattern as a duck races towards shore. Have to wonder what the hurry is 😏.
IN THE REEDS
Despite that long neck, when a Great Blue Heron stands motionless it can blend in easily to its surroundings. They imitate statues quite well.
SKIPPY
The merganser coming in for a landing reminded me of the game of skipping stones. I was a considerable distance from the duck but I liked the scene and used a Sepia Preset for added effect.
QUIET MOMENT
Canada Geese can be rather loud and aggressive but you’d never know it looking at these two.
HOVERFLY
I believe this is a mimic or hoverfly. Wasps have four wings, while a hoverfly has only two so that would be my best guess.
BLACK-CAPPED CHICKADEE
No matter the season, chickadees are always around; near a feeder or seen in the woods. Although they’re common it’s hard to think of these little birds in that way.
EASTERN PHOEBE
The eastern phoebe is a member of the flycatcher family. With the arrival of spring they have returned to our area. Their distinctive song announces their presence often before you see them.
AMERICAN ROBIN
Spring is a season of firsts. First robin, first tulip, even first fly. Isn’t it great. 😊
SKIPPER
Though very small, it’s hard to miss these orange butterflies especially against the green. It won’t be long before the fields are full of skippers.
MALE AMERICAN WIGEON
One of the most attractive ducks that migrate through each year. I chose not to crop in further as the reflections in the water were also vying for attention.
CONNECT THE SPOTS
After a bit of research I found out that this is a two-spotted grass bug. (The spots are on its back which made it a bit difficult to identify. 😏 ) When I started out in photography I never thought I would take an interest in insects and enjoy photographing them as much as I do.
MIRROR, MIRROR
A wood duck admiring its reflection.
RING-BILLED GULLS (TWO PHOTOGRAPHS)
These gulls have presence and this one was no exception. He looked around like he owned this patch of grass.
DAMSELFLY (TWO PHOTOGRAPHS)
Damselflies are quite comical when you can catch them like this. I wonder what they make of us. 😏
BY THE RIVERSIDE (TWO PHOTOGRAPHS)
On this side of the reserve the river runs quickly. Threats to these mallard ducklings are fewer; the snapping turtles remain on the lake opposite and fewer hawks patrol the area. I came upon this family group on the river’s edge, two years ago. I hope to see similar scenes before too long.
