Thursday, June 17, 2010

Lookin' Up

This is a scheduled post. As you read it, I should be up at the cottage enjoying the lake, fresh air, fishing, evening fires, great company and possibly a new baby raccoon or two. I'll also keep an eye out for Sugar and Spike. I'll be back to visit your blogs and reply to your comments in a few days.

While walking around snapping photos, it's important to remember to look up occasionally. Springtime offers many interesting subjects above eye level. I hope you'll look up and enjoy the following photos.




Up on a branch of a tree in the park, this young robin calls to its mother to come feed him.





In my back yard, two sparrow fledgelings sit patiently for their mother to scoop up some seed and feed it to them...





.. which she most tenderly did.





This little cutie had no trouble helping itself to the suet.





Much to my surprise, this red squirrel appear in my back yard one afternoon. I've only ever seen them up north in cottage country and never in the city before. He soon scampered up the tree to figure out how he could help himself to some goodies at the feeder.





A robin, perched on a fence post had just found something interesting to eat.





While walking around one of our nearby ponds, this red-winged blackbird was sitting atop this stalk, singing his happy little song.





Soft pink clouds matched the tail of this colourful kite. Who could it belong to?





Oh, it's Barbie.





Near Frank's place this housetop supports a weather vane which appears to be a heron in flight.

Thanks for joining me on this walk. Things sure are looking up.

44 comments:

kazia said...

beautiful! :)

Jinksy said...

What a delightful weather vane. Whoever made it knew a lot about his subject and its beauty.

Steve Gravano said...

Beautiful bird walk. I've never seen a red squirrel, ours are gray.

Bonnie Zieman, M.Ed. said...

What great captures here Hilary! Love the expressions you caught on some of the little faces. The one of the blackbird balancing on such a thin stalk is amazing.

Bubblewench said...

I always love your shots! So beautiful! Have a great time at the cottage.

Leah J. Utas said...

Magnificent. The top photo of the baby robin is exquisite.

Brian Miller said...

nice. changing ones perspective or appreciating another one often yields positives...personally i am a fan of squirrels, so...and the kite pics make me think of fun...which i hope you are having right now...

Tabor said...

Your up perspective is appreciated. We take down our feeders by June and make the birds fend for themselves as the plants provide so my little fledglings are far and hard to see. They all return in the fall when my table is set.

ellen abbott said...

That first picture is amazing! And I love the sparrow feeding her babes. And I want that weather vane.

Daryl said...

That heron vane has a twin a few blocks up Broadway from my street ... and I am in love with all those wonderful bird shots .. almost makes me wish for a BIG zoooooom but I think I will stick to lusting after a super macro

Sueann said...

What a wonderful walk with you today. Great bird shots!!! And the colors are just perfect!! That weather vane is fabulous!! I purchased a box kite for my grandchildren. Can't wait to see it take flight!!
Hugs
SueAnn

abb said...

Lovely!

Zuzana said...

Enjoy the time at your cottage; I am sure it will be splendid.
I love all the images. I am always amazed by the clarity and the sharpness of your photographs. I need a new camera.;)
xoxo

messymimi said...

Thank you.

I spent last week looking up at the shore birds soaring over the Gulf of Mexico.

It's very cheering, usually, to physically look up.

Mage said...

I've been looking up for days here. The skies are awfully silent.

Mental P Mama said...

I don't think there's anything sweeter than baby birds!

Unspoken said...

Have fun! Love the birds feeding one another. Sweet!

CiCi said...

You are right, things are looking up! I was looking at your wonderful photos when Hubby walked by and stopped in his tracks, and wanted to see all your photos. He kept saying "How does she do that??" and "She must have a wonderful camera". I told him to check out your blog posts once in awhile and he would see some great photos. He and I are just now experimenting with our little digital camera. Reading the manual and trying a few things. We have had the camera three years and haven't really used it much. Anyway, this post is full of the most beautiful bird photos and we are watching our birds here several times a day and setting up the small tripod and trying to capture a good shot. Some day we will succeed.

larkswing said...

Beautiful post - these shots are amazing!!!

Lori said...

All the pictures are so beautiful but I especially love that first one with the little baby bird....so sweet. Hope your weekend of relaxing and refreshing is wonderful. :)

Karen said...

Love that little bird in the greenery! Such delightful pics, Hilary. Thanks for the tour! :)

San said...

Oh, I envy your lake time, but I'll look forward to your photographs.

These are as beautiful as ever. I especially love that little squirrel. He appears to be sneaking his way into the photo, instead of the photographer sneaking up on him. How did you do that?

Izzy said...

BEAUTIFUL!! =)

L. D. said...

This is such a beautiful journey through the birds and flowers. They are all such good photos. Enjoy the time off.

Joanna Jenkins said...

Oh that baby bird is too cute for words! Great shot.

And a Barbie Kite!?!?!? What has the world come to :-)

Have a great holiday!
jj

Cloudia said...

wonderful.....AGAIN.


BRAVA!





Aloha from Waikiki

Comfort Spiral

Anonymous said...

Delightful. Actually I have seen many rare birds around my area. I think I really do need a camera, because I am a keen photographer though my camera broke quite a while ago :)

Cricket said...

Nice shot of the baby robin. I once had a robin's nest on a low branch that needed to be pruned. We held off on that until the chicks had fledged. Before they left, I very uncharacteristically got out the camera and a ladder, and even more uncharacteristically, got some good pictures - the paper kind. Maybe someday I'll get a scanner?

Anyway, one morning I went out back, and there were pinfeathers all over the ground and the robins were gone. I guess the learning curve is pretty steep.

Hope you enjoy your break. Perhaps Dear Prudence might suit? I do have a soft spot for that one.

Suldog said...

Someday, someone will have the great good sense to publish a book of your best work. I will be first in line to buy it.

Anonymous said...

My MIL was attempting to take a photograph of a red cardinal this morning, but he just wouldn't hold still long enough. I'll have to leave this post up on the computer so she can see your pictures. :)

Dianne said...

I love the baby bird with her mouth wide open

Have a great and relaxing time :)

LadyFi said...

You take the most wonderful pictures!

Indrani said...

Beautiful series of shots. You are an expert now at bird photography. :)

Susie said...

How sweet of you to think of us while you are enjoying the cabin.

I just love that mama sparrow shot.

Linda said...

Hilary, I do love the bird pictures, especially the babies getting dinner, and the Red-winged blackbird. It's a rare treat to see one of those around here. Thanks for letting me go on these walks with you.

ds said...

Gorgeous! The red-winged blackbird is stunning (of course, I'm biased). Keep looking up, Hilary. And have a wonderful trip!

Anonymous said...

Your first shot is amazing - I have NO idea how you manage to find these amazing things... I must be walking around blindfolded!

Dawning Inspiration said...

That top image is so precious - and then again...so is that squirrel! Hope you are having such a great time!

Sniffles and Smiles said...

And this is a wonderfully uplifting post, dear Hilary! Your photos are stunning...I shall have to nickname you Dr. Doolittle since you seem to have such an extraordinary way of capturing critters on film!! REALLY very difficult, and you make it look so easy!! You are such a pro! I'm always thoroughly delighted when I visit you! You are fantastic! Love, Janine XO

Unknown said...

Wow. I love that weather vane. And the kite. Totally love the birds. Nature is so lovely.

Anonymous said...

WOW...what fantastic shots! i truly enjoyed them!

btw...joanna sent me and as Arnie says "i'll be back"!

Cheryl Kohan said...

Honestly, Hilary, you take the most spectacular photographs. I am constantly amazed.

Unknown said...

Thank you for sharing these wonderful shots! I'm visiting at The Fifty Factor's recommendation and so glad I did!

Hilary said...

Thanks everyone for stopping by. Since I find myself way behind after almost two weeks away from the blog, I will have to give you all a group thank you rather than my usual individual replies. I appreciate your wonderful comments more than I can express. I hope to be by to visit each of you before too long. And welcome to the new faces who haqve appeared thanks to Joanna. It's so nice to have you aboard. Thanks, all!