Coneflowers or echinacea are among my favourite summer flowers. They are hardy, long lasting and attract many pollinators. Pretty perfect!
Tag Archives: Photography
ONE IN EVERY GROUP
I watched as the mother duck led her young ones towards the pond. They all fell into line except for the one at the rear š
GREAT EGRET (TWO PHOTOGRAPHS)
Thereās a wetland not far from town that we drive to a few times over the summer. When we pulled over we saw a solitary Egret fishing. I wasnāt using my longest lens but the 300mm did a fair job. After a few minutes, I looked away and when I looked back the bird was in the air. Look at those legs, pulled together like a diver in flight!
SUNSHINE ON A CLOUDY DAY
The clouds looked like they held rain but it remained overcast. I like conditions like this, and the soft light worked in my favour.
AGING WELL
The rain and wind had bowed the peony, it was still beautiful though.
SNAPPING TURTLE
I rarely see a snapping turtle swimming as they move silently through the water (and my camera is often pointed up, not down š). It served as a good reminder to look around more.
FUNNY DUCKS
I took the maleās portrait and then his mate joined the frame. I think mallards are the comedians of the duck world.
DUCK TO WATER
The river was pretty choppy but this black duck knew exactly how to maneuver through it.
QUEEN ANNE’S LACE
I was surprised to see several of these plants developing at different rates under the same growing conditions. Very much like people do, I guess š
A CUT ABOVE
Pigeons are common and not very popular given their messy ways. A liked this one though, a very handsome bird.
CALM WATERS
A quiet scene along the river.
MONDAY SUNFLOWER
A sunny start to the week.
WINDOW ON THE PAST
The window display was quite elegant on its own but the reflection of the old building across the way enhanced it a little more.
CITY ART
This wonderful mural by Ottawa artist Christopher Griffin, appears on the wall of a downtown building. Itās on a busy street, so I wonder how many people have seen it as they drive by. When Iām on foot I always stop to look at it and today I had my camera.
UNCONVENTIONAL
I liked this flower, one I donāt remember seeing before; its beauty a little unconventional.
GRACKLE IN THE GRASS
I usually see grackles near water or in trees, so I was surprised to see this bird walking along in the grass. I know people with bird feeders tend to dislike grackles as they will bully the other birds. I like them though and admire their keen eye and good looks (they also keep the insect population down).
IN THE LONG GRASS
A typical summer scene. If only I could bottle its scent and colours for those dark days of winter.
To all those celebrating, Happy Canada Day!
FLAMINGO FANFARE
Frequent viewers have likely noticed that I havenāt been featuring many birds lately. Sticking closer to home, sightings have been fewer – but then I stumbled upon this small pink flamingo. Not as rare as you might think in our urban environment š
CALM WATERS
The water on this stretch of river has the most beautiful reflections. My good luck that the mallard decided to take that route.
SALSIFY
I featured a different variety of Salsify in one of my recent posts. Some are cultivated, others grow in the wild. I saw this one growing in a field with other wildflowers. Another elegant āweedā.
FINE DUO
The daisies were growing among the wild grasses; a pretty combination.
PEACH MELBA
Iāve only seen this colour of rose in one small corner lot garden. Itās their time to bloom and still some buds to come, so I’ll be back.
HOVER FLY ON FLEABANE
Hover flies or flower flies are valuable insects. The larvae of some species prey on aphids and the adults are pollinators. Until I picked up a camera I wasnāt aware of these attractive little insects. Now I look out for them each summer.
SUN GLOW
The sun struck the back of the chair and made it glow. I just had to take the photo. I was shooting with a 105mm lens (hoping for some insect photos that day) so I was pretty happy to get the shot.
THIS OLD HOUSE
This house is in a neighbourhood that is undergoing change. Many old homes sit side by side with new construction; some are being remodelled or torn down. For now, this old house still stands. Its beautiful wooden door contrasting nicely with the red brick.
GUARD DUCK
The mallard had recently gotten out of the water and was drying off on the grass. I hesitated for a moment before I approached. It looked like a no nonsense duck!
POPPIES PAST
I remember making flowers out of tissue paper when I was a young. Carefully separating and fanning the layers and securing them with a bobby pin. These tissue-like poppies reminded me of those flowers, particularly the slightly windblown ones to the right of the frame š
SHAKEN NOT STIRRED
Sparks Street is a pedestrian mall in downtown Ottawa. Itās a mix of office towers, shops and restaurants. I liked the old fashioned sign and the chairs stacked up waiting for the Cocktail Hour.
FEMALE DOWNY WOODPECKER
Downy Woodpeckers are the smallest woodpeckers in North America. As they donāt migrate we get to enjoy them year round. They have some fast moves as they forage, it pays to have a steady hand š.
TREE SWALLOW
I took a lot of photos of this tree swallow but most were in very harsh light. I finally got this photo under better lighting conditions but the birdās eye is not visible. Its beautiful feathers make up for that though.
END OF THE ROAD
I always find scenes like this pretty melancholy, however, the boots were in fairly decent shape and placed with care. Maybe the owner left them there for someone else to wear.
WINDBLOWN
The wind was blowing these flowers about but I was determined to capture them as I didnāt know what kind of shape theyād be in next time I passed by. I took a lot of shots, constantly adjusting my speed and my position. I think it payed off.
PRIVACY PLEASE
I took this photo as the mallard was emerging from the river. The duck didnāt look too pleased by my presence š
LOOKOUT
I like to see robins strike this pose, stretching to their full height. It stopped feeding for a moment, looked around and then continued on.
URBAN LANDSCAPE (TWO PHOTOGRAPHS)
Ottawa’s Centretown neighbourhood is a mix of the old and new. A lot of old houses and apartments have avoided the wreckerās ball and are a source of much of my photography. The garden in the first photo is one I return to throughout the warmer months, I like its untended look. The elements in the balcony garden look carefully chosen, a little oasis in the city.
CURIOUS SQUIRREL
The black squirrels we see in Ontario are a subgroup of the Eastern Grey Squirrel but when I saw this squirrel with its unusual blond tail I thought the light was playing tricks on my eyes š. Another interesting discovery on a neighbourhood walk.
MELLOW YELLOW (TWO PHOTOGRAPHS)
Thereās just something about yellow flowers in springtime!
YOUNG BEAVER (TWO PHOTOGRAPHS)
We found a new spot along the river this spring. It has a nice trail, few crowds and a fair amount of wildlife. One day last week I noticed some movement in the reeds and to my delight I saw this young beaver. The vegetation along the shore was thick so I had to wait a long while before I could get a clear shot. He looked like one contented beaver!
WHAT’S IN A NAME
Despite the heat, I just felt cooler looking at the plant growing in the shade. Its common name is Bleeding Heart, not a name I would have chosen for such an attractive plant.
NATURAL ART
The shapes and colours of the budding maple reminded me of a fine drop earring; except its enjoyment comes at no cost.
BELINDA GROVER PHOTOGRAPHY 