Thursday, January 14, 2010

Always Greener

I've decided to continue this colour theme for a little while. Partly because it's easy while I have other things on the go and partly because I have photos which many of you might never have seen before. A few long-time blog pals will likely recognize at least some of these, if not all and I thank you for you patience while I'm in this "double exposure" mode of sorts.

The posts themselves are original, and the photos are from various times and places. The last colour up was blue. Today I combed through my photo archives and came up feeling a little green. Please remember to click on them to enlarge each image.




This is one of those fly-by shootings, taken from the passenger window on our way home from the cottage one day. I just liked the way these fences hugged the gentle green slopes of this pasture.





These folks had an unusual collection of items amid the greenery of their yard. A dolphin-riding baby, a lamp post, a park bench and a grass-filled potty. Rather eclectic.







My favourite man in green - my son Jeffrey in his fatigues. We were visiting him where he attends university at Royal Military College in Kingston, Ontario.





One of my favrourite green spots within three minutes from home. Each year this narcissistic branch grows a little closer to the water's edge, gazing lovingly at its own reflection.





A bit of rain can add a bit a sparkle to an otherwise dull surface. After the downpour, these water droplets glistened on a blade of green grass.







A couple of drops were still clinging to the hairy edges of these green seed pods.






Light filtered through a spring green fern, revealed a sun-warmed rock behind it.






The animal kingdom enjoys the comfort and safety of their green environment. This little grasshopper-like insect may have been trying to blend in and hide, but I saw him anyway.





This unusual green insect followed us fishing one summer afternoon. We looked out into the water beside the boat and saw it flailing about. Frank fished it out of the water with this oar and it stayed long enough to dry out before flying off. It was actually the second such insect that day.





One afternoon, up at the cottage, this little green snake popped his head out to warm himself in the sun. He was super quick to disappear again when I got a bit too close with the camera.





I love the wispy net-like wings on this beautiful, green dragonfly. It was one of many which hatched during our June 2008 visit to the cottage. It was still drying off before taking its first flight. Notice the water droplet at the end of the tail.






In the previous post, there was a photo of a blue caterpillar, and in the fuzzy out-of-focus background you could see a green dragonfly. This was that insect. I did a full post about him back in June 2008. It was either injured or malformed and was unable to fly or hunt. In this image, you can see it checking out the mosquito which we brought to it for feeding. There are some neat closeups of this and other dragonflies in the aforementioned and linked post. There are also a couple of videos. One of them appears below.






This is the standoff between the blue caterpillar and the green dragonfly to which I referred in my previous post. The dragonfly was not doing well but when confronted by the caterpillar, it defended itself and its territory quite valiantly.

Back soonish with yet another colour.

62 comments:

Gary's third pottery blog said...

Golly, it is so cold and snowy lately we sure could use some green!

Bubblewench said...

Those are some awesome shots! Love the color concept.

Doc said...

I love the toilet out in the field!

Tabor said...

Great photos. Love the composition on the large scenes and it is soooo good to see some green.

Brian Miller said...

love the greens. makes me feel all warm, especially that shot of the bank by the river...nice shot of your son as well. smiles.

Boozy Tooth said...

Hils, I so envy your talent. Your art. Only you could capture some of those images before they were gone. As if they hadn't even happened. And yet you got brilliant shots. Beautiful colorful shots full of energy and split-second timing.

I like the snake. I know snakes. They don't hang around for long, and you got your shot. What is it that he's popping out of? A stone? A grate? A tire? Whatever it is, it's gorgeous. You can almost hear what that snake is thinking.

Thank you for these. You should work for National Geographic! Seriously!

Boozy Tooth said...

Oh yeah... I forgot to tell you... the old rusted toilet tossed next to the bench and fountain....now that's art.

Zuzana said...

Loved this post! The clip was fantastic, a true NG material.;)
I probably never told you, but green is my favorite colour.
Stunning images and a great narrative as always. Pure joy to come by here every time.
xo
Zuzana

ellen abbott said...

Green...so soothing to the eye. I'm hard pressed to pick a favorite, perhaps the drops of water on the grass, but I like the shot of the fences too and the seed pods and the tree overhanging the pond and...and...

Steve Gravano said...

Great post, it's so nice to see some greenery. Everything here is drab or covered with snow. I too like the color concept.

L. D. said...

One can never get enough green at this time of the year. Your photos are so good and I enjoyed seeing them all.

Mental P Mama said...

I am so longing for GREEN!

the Bag Lady said...

This is a great idea! Love the colour theme.

The "eclectic" yard collection totally cracked me up! Thanks.

Amazing photos, as always!

Daryl said...

Even tho its a warm enough today to go without a hat, its still frickin' cold and dreary .. all this green is making me feel warm and fuzzy ...

Frank Baron said...

Ah, a nice visit to the Spring/Summer side of the spectrum (and down memory lane). Love the narcissistic branch line. Reel gud riting there. :)

Debbie said...

This is a lovely time of year to see some green! I am ready for it.

Clowncar said...

Just love that lil snake!

That narcissistic branch is pretty coool too!

Susie said...

Green is my very favorite color and I loved all those shots! That combined with the sound of running water.

I can just vaguely remember the post about the dragonfly...I'm going to have to look it up as it's just toying on the edges of my mind.

(fyi--red is my 2nd favorite color!)

Land of shimp said...

Beautiful, and Ontario looks so lush and green, what a nice treat on this chilly winter's day, when so much is gray here.

I also love the picture of the toilet. Was the commode making a break for safety, and expired by the bench? "You wouldn't believe what those people were doing to me!!! Oh my God, the nightmares!" and then he collapsed, permanently. Or was someone taking their toilet for a walk, and he slipped the lead?

Questions, questions.

Hilary, if you are taking votes for colors, I'm pushing purple. Heck, I'm even willing to spell it "colour" . *Purple. Purple. Amethyst. Grape. Violet.* <--- subliminal thought introduction.

Seriously though, I love visiting here. I read the posts, and leave being convinced that I am surrounded by beauty.

Lulda Casadaga said...

In this case the grass is greener on the other side! :D Lovely as always...I love the little smirk on the snakes face..ah finally sun, but wait no more pictures please! :)

I might have to get my own potty and grow some grass out of it too!

Russell said...

Lots of nice images here!

Looking around at all the snow and ice, it is SO NICE to see green!! As in green grass and green bugs and anything green!!

Take care. I like your color post idea -- very good!!

Michael said...

Beautiful pictures! Loved the rain drops.

Dawning Inspiration said...

Pretty green - you've got me runnin' from a couple of those scary critters though! ;o)

Nancy said...

I love your kindness in your pictures and posts. It is always so nice to visit and get to see what you do through the a lense. But the stories always bring the photos to life. Thanks for that.

"One of my favrourite green spots within three minutes from home. Each year this narcissistic branch grows a little closer to the water's edge, gazing lovingly at its own reflection." Beautiful writing, Hilary!

Karen said...

What can I say. Beautiful! I love the green

cheshire wife said...

Nature provides us with so many different shades of green when it is not hidden by a blanket of snow.

Reb said...

Green, so calming...so far away!

Loved the video and Frank's commentary ;)

Lisa (Mountain Photog) said...

Those are lovely! All that green makes me long for summer, though, which is still a long time coming in my neck of the woods. I especially love the snake and the blade of grass.

Elizabeth Bradley said...

Okay, have to say it, this was my favorite post so far. Maybe I'm in the mood for a little green. Brilliant shots.

Lori said...

I so loved your green photo's. It gives me hope that this snow will eventually melt and I will see greenry again. :) I am looking forward to seeing what color comes next. :)

Hilary said...

• Gary, I wish I could send the real thing your way.. and mine. :)

• Bubblewench, thanks so much. I'm glad you like it. :)

• Doc, it's a whole new meaning to port-a-potty, isn't it? ;)

• Tabor, thank you. Only a few more months till some colour returns. I hope. :)

• Brian, thanks kindly. I'm looking forward to some of those warmer days too. :)

• Alix, thank you very much for your lovely commments. You sure know how to make my day. :) The snake was in a plastic float/raft which was on land. Thanks for stopping by. :)

• Thanks very much, Zuzana. I'm glad I could oblige by doing a post in your favourite colour. And as always, your kind words make me smile. :)

• Thank you, Ellen. It's a good thing there's no reason for you to have to pick a favourite. Thanks for the visit. :)

• Thanks, Steve. Yes, it's pretty drab and vaguely snow-covered here too. I'll be glad to see the green again also but I know there's going to be a lot more white stuff before that. Thanks for stopping by. :)

• Thank you, Larry. I'm glad you had a bit of a green respite. :)

• MPM, you're not alone. :)

• Thanks very much, Baggie. I kind of thought you'd like the yard museum. ;)

• Thanks, Daryl. I'm glad the post gave you some warm fuzzies. Like a pair of green mittens. ;)

• Thank que, Franc. Eye'm glad hue lyked this posed. It meens alot two mei. Eye kidd ewe knot. ;)

• Debbie, I echo your sentiments. But I think it's going to be a while still. Thanks for the visit. :)

• Thanks, Clowncar. I'm glad you think so. :)

• Thanks you, Sue. I'm glad I could oblige with your favoite colour. I'll get around to red eventually. I think I'll have to come up with a few more photos for that first though. I'm glad you enjoyed the water gurgling in the video. I quite like that too. :)

• Thank you, Shimp. It's anything but lush at the moment but spring will return.. eventually. Ha! Your questions made me laugh. All those toilet scenarios.. you potty animal! ;) I love purple too and that will be coming up before too long. But not next. Thanks so much for your kind words. They always make me smile. :)

• Thank you, Lulda. I liked the snake's expression too. I'm not a snake person but this guy really was a cutie. Now about these mentions of pot and grass... ;)

• Thanks so much, Russell. I'm not surprised that you're happy to see the green after all the snow you've been getting. I'm glad you enjoyed this little respite. :)

• Thanks very much, Cabo. I'm glad to hear it. :)

• SD, not to worry. They can't run very fast. Thanks for stopping by. :)

• Nancy, thank you so much for leaving such a kind comment. I hope you know that your warm words mean a lot to me. :)

• Karen, thanks very much. I'm glad you do. :)

• Cheshire Wife, it does indeed. It's quite the palate, isn't it? Thanks for stopping by. :)

• Thanks, Reb. But it will be back.. before TOO long. Thanks for the kind words. :)

• Mountain Photo, it's a long way off here too. This is just a reminder and a preview. Just a few more months now. Thanks for the very kind words. :)

• Elizabeth, thank you very kindly. I'm glad you enjoyed it. Thanks for the visit. :)

• Lori, thank you. Have no fear, that snow WILL melt and the green will return. I'm glad you're enjoying the colourful ride. :)

Unspoken said...

I like it very much. I hope you keep doing these.

Kelly H-Y said...

Gorgeous greens! The grass-filled potty cracked me up!

Anonymous said...

Beautiful pictures Hilary, they took me on a mini vacation. I'm glad you and Frank helped out the dragonfly.
The days are getting longer!!!
Lisa:)

Cricket said...

I like the grasshopper in particular. Very much like a cricket.

Mental soundtrack: Jeff Beck Love Is Green

larkswing said...

Those seed pods are great! That toilet cracks me up!
Wonderful photos!

Unknown said...

I love the color green. These pictures are SO gorgeous! Very nice. And thank you for making me miss Spring : )

Midlife Roadtripper said...

Your photos are beautiful. I am enjoying this color theme. Eager to see the next one.

Swetha said...

Brillant Photos!! i love the fields esp the 1st three photos!! you are really a wonderful photographer

SandyCarlson said...

All those greens are beautiful. Green is my favorite color, so you made my day. Thanks for that. But these views. The fences took my breath away. Your sun cuts quite a figure. May he be well wherever his adventures take him.

I enjoyed this, Hilary. Thanks.

Leah J. Utas said...

Love the green. The farm with the fence looks so perfectly Canadian.
The dragonfly totally bitch-slapped that poor caterpillar.

abb said...

Wish the caterpillar would have fought back a little harder. Wimp!

Suldog said...

You're about the only person I know who could photograph a snake and make it appear cute.

Green is my favorite color, so this warmed the cockles of my heart (whatever the hell that means.)

Anonymous said...

I love your colour posts Hilary! And green especially! The first photo makes me cry for the mountains again...your "green spot" is fabulous. I love the rain drops photo too, very pretty!

Dianne said...

it's so nice to see green in the middle of January

love the little visitor

and the shot of your Jeffrey is so wonderful, he looks so confident and strong yet he's still your boy

photowannabe said...

Spectacular Hilary. I love your color series. Amazing photos of the insects and you bringing the mosquito feast to the dragonfly. thats so tender and touching.
Sorry i haven't been commenting for a while. I seem to have a virus which gives me vertigo and makes me feel icky.
I always love coming here to see what you post. Wondering what the next color will be.

Joanna Jenkins said...

Green is good Hilary. I love all the pictures but the detail on the seed pods is amazing.

I'll be watching for the next color.

Have a great weekend.
xo

Merisi said...

That is such a lovely post,
especially the dragonfly story!
I feel really touched.

P.S.:
Thank you very much for giving me the honor of accepting my suggestion of Tea's "Life Love Eat" blog post. She a great pastry chef talent - she'll go place, I am sure! - and also a great photographer and writer.

Wendy said...

Love your pics. Brings back memories of summer {{sigh}}

Your description of the tree branch looking at its reflection in water made me smile.

Green's a great colour!

Hilary said...

• Thanks, Amy. I plan to for a while. :)

• Kelly, thanks. It was rather funny. :)

• Lisa, nice to be back at the lake again, eh? Even if only virtually. The days ARE getting longer. And eventually warmer. Sigh! Thanks for stopping by. :)

• Cricket, you recognized your kind. :) I love your mental soundtracks. I hope you'll keep sharing selections when you drop by. :)

• Lailani, thank you. It would seem you're not alone with the potty humour. Thanks for the visit. :)

• LWK, thanks very kindly. I'm glad you like them. It won't be TOO much longer until spring is here. Thanks for stopping by.

• MJ, thanks very much. Tomorrow I'll visit another colour. Thanks for dropping by. :)

• Inty, thank you kindly. I'm glad you like the photos. That makes me smile. :)

• Sandy, thank you so much for your comments which are always so kind and caring. I'm glad you like the photos. Thanks especially for your kind words about my son. :)

• Thanks very much, Leah. In that dragonfly's defense (and he didn't need it) he was in a weakened state and that caterpillar was preying on him. He deserved the bitch slap. ;) Thanks for the visit. :)

• TSannie I was rooting for my dragonfly. ;) Thanks for dropping by. :)

• Suldog, I'm glad you enjoyed the greenery and my cute little snake. And I'm sure glad you didn't get that expression backwards. ;)

• Thanks, Rain. Green seems to be a particularly popular colour. Thanks very much for your always-kind words. I'm glad you enjoyed the post. :)

• Dianne, thank you so much. You said that with all the experience and wisdom of a Mom. You've pegged it right. Thanks for the visit. :)

• Sue, I'm so sorry you're not feeling well. I sure hope you improve before too long. Thanks very much for the visit and for your kind words. :)

• Thanks very much, Joanna. I'm glad you're enjoying it :)

• Thanks kindly, Merisi. My pleasure about your friend's blog. I'm glad that you're pleased. :)

• Wendy, thank you. I'm glad you enjoyed the post. very much appreciated. :)

G said...

Mmmm... I could feel myself warming up at the sight of those cottagey pictures. Wonderful selection, Hilary.

Cloudia said...

What delightful shots...just excellent!


what a handsome son!



Aloha, Friend


Comfort Spiral

The Merry said...

Thank you! I was reading another blog, and starting to get really irritated by the petty person's puerile peevishness, then I came to your blog. Nothing like looking at very beautiful things to put you in a better mood. Photo therapy!

Anonymous said...

Hilary, your unknown green insect looks like a green version of our dreaded stink bugs. The toilet made me shake my head in wonder, and your description of the narcissistic tree branch made me laugh.
My favorite is the still-beloved water droplets on the blade of grass.

tattytiara said...

You seriously took that first shot from a moving car? Holy well done!

And bless your hearts for feeding the wounded dragonfly.

LadyFi said...

I love your colour themes! I drank up the green photos as I'm starved of green in our snowy winter wonderland.

Fabulous photos!

Anonymous said...

Oh, I LOVE green - there is not a lot of green to be seen here in the desert.

Hilary said...

• Thanks BPG. I'm glad they warmed you. It won't be too much longer until scenes like these are current. I hope. Thanks for stopping by. :)

• Thank you, Cloudia. I so agree with you about my son but then again, I'm biased. ;)

• Merry, good to see you. I'm pleased that my photos gave you a bit of a lift from your alliterative annoyances. Thanks for the visit. :)

• KC, I'm glad you enjoyed the photos even though I know you've seen some or even most of them before. Thanks for stopping by with your encouraging words. :)

• TattyTiara, thank you for your kind words. Sometimes I get lucky when shooting through the window. This was one of those times. Thanks for stopping by. :)

• Thank you, LadyFi. I'm glad you enjoyed the green and assume you're now ready for pink - which is up next. :)

• ED, I'm glad that I could oblige your desert-weary eyes by giving them some green. Thanks for the visit. :)

Kerri Farley said...

One of my favorite posts with all my favorite items - bench, grasshopper, dragonfly..and of course water drops!

Hilary said...

Thanks very much, Kerri. I'm so glad you could find so many of your favourite subjects in one post. :)

Louis la Vache said...

«Louis» salutes your son!

(«Louis» has a keen appreciation for those who serve in the miltary. Also, he just finished reading "Maple Leaf Against the Axis" a fine account of Canada's role in World War II.)

Hilary said...

Thank you, Louis. Very much appreciated. :)