Early one morning, I opened my eyes to see the sunlight streaming in through my bedroom window. It was just rising up above the rooftops across the street and pouring its warmth into my room.
A silver coffee pot filled with fake flowers caught the light first. Luckily for me, the camera was nearby.
This is one of my favourite real hummingbird shots which I snapped last summer.
This beauty is my ever curious, ever present Skittles. He was watching me take photos on this morning and wondering when the heck I would get up to get his breakfast.
I did that shortly after he obliged me with this pose.Time for coffee.
In case you were wondering why it sounded familiar, the post title is from a Cat Stevens song.
72 comments:
Photos to die for, Hilary. Utterly beautiful.
Tom
oh i really like how the light plays on the hummingbird and the cat...
Beautiful, I love the wood hummingbird sculpture. Morning light is so beautiful.
Gorgeous, Hilary.
I so want to see if I can attract hummingbirds this year...
Those shots are awesome...forget that they were done before coffee!
What a pleasant morning you had! I'm off to get a mammogram, so there ya go.... a fun morning here too. LOL
Lovely pics as always........I want to know how you get your words into a script font, when blogger doesn't have that as a choice??? I am a little challenged sometimes!
Now off to the studio.......out into the frozen tundra.
I so enjoyed these pictures Hilary. The bedroom light shots have so much mooooood! And your hummingbird shots are wonderful - love the ruby-throated one.
FABULOUS post and pics Hilary. Your captured the light and your subjects perfectly. I am in love with Skittles and that hummingbird wood carving is FANTASTIC!
What a GREAT Gift!
Your son knows you so well, doesn't he? The wood carved humming bird is great, and a nice tribute to the lovely birds. Skittles does a nice job posing for you.
That second hummingbird picture: the jewel toned color! The intricacy of the detail in those feathers! And the light in the pictures of your Skittles!
It just makes me want to praise the wonderful, amazing God who makes such beauty!
Thank you for capturing a moment of it so elegantly!
Wow! Great captures Hilary..Skittles is so cute...my little lady thinks that is a pretty cool name for a cat...since she loves both skittles and cats I wonder how long before she starts asking for a cat names skittles..lol...very neat gift from your son.
Lovely pics. The cat photos are magnificent.
Totally love the kitty shots! He's adorable.
Okay, if I handed out posts of the week, this one would win for sure! :) Completely stunning, very nice job!
I liked the 1st cat shot, I notice the orange colors in mine when they are in the early morning sun.
Awesome shots .. Skittles is so handsome
oh, Hilary. you take the most amazing photos!
I'm running out of adjectives here. These are all gorgeous, but the images of Skittles are portrait quality. Just stunning.
The photo of Skittles is very good. He's such a pretty cat and the light shining on him is just perfect. Love all the photos. Your hummingbird shots are amazing.
Great photos! Love the way you capture the light and the shadows.
I love hummingbirds. My grandparents had a hummingbird feeder.
Beautiful shots, I especially like the photos of Skittles and your hummingbird carving.
Marvelous fun. :)
Oh honey, these photos are just to die for!!! I have to admit here how jealous I am for I have always wanted to capture a hummingbird that close and that well.
Lessons???? Heeeheehehe!
God bless ya and have a splendid day sweetie!!!
How many times can I say this before I become a total bore? Your photos are magnificent. Truly magnificent.
Lovely photos, your cat is gorgeous! Mr. Cheddar approves, our big orange tabby.
www.mypoeticpath.wordpress.com
Crazy good cat photos. What do they say now? Bad? Ridonculous?
Wonderful shots. Very well done.
Your cat photos capture the quiet dignity of the feline in a way i've seldom seen.
Goodness, those are gorgeous ... the lighting is simply stunning!
I was not clever enough to come up with a caption for the snow-bellied chairs yesterday when I stopped by. And I left without leaving a comment (I think). Sorry.
I absolutely love your morning photos, Hilary! And Skittles is beautiful. BEAUTY-FULL!!
I too love hummers. They bring joy wherever they go.
Love, love, love that first shot of your cat! The one with one eye in darkenss. Very impressive!
Nice to wake up that way - doing something you love (and before coffee too!) LOL!
Those hummingbird shots are so crisp that on first glance I thought they were ornaments. You've definitely got the technical skills to accompany your prodigious talent.
Cool title! I always liked Cat Stevens. Great songwriter.
Super work in using early morning light in your photos.
Skittles in the sunshine spreads warmth!
Gorgeous sunlight shots. I like taking shots where the light highlights just a section of something as well. Kind of like nature's spotlight.
• Tom, thank you kindly. Very much appreciated. :)
• Thanks, Brian. It sure caught my eye that morning. :)
• Thank you, Steve. Morning and late afternoon sunlight are the best! :)
• Deb, thank you. I tried to attract hummingbirds last summer and drew in dozens of wasps instead. I hope you're much more successful than I. :)
• MPM, that's already forgotten.. and remedied. Thank you, my friend. :)
• Di, we each spent the morning with photography of some kind. ;) I hope you didn't get TOO squished. :)
• Hilary, thank you. I replied to you in email but I'll post it here too in case anyone else is wondering. "Go to Design, then Template Designer, then Advanced. Find and click on Post Title (if that's what you want to change) in the first list. The Font list will allow you to change that. There are a bunch of new options there. I use the one called Homemade Apple (italicized)." Hope that helps. :)
• Thank you kindly, Bonnie. I quite enjoyed both sets of shots. The indoor morning ones and especially the summer ones with the real thing. They're wonderful creatures, aren't they? Thanks for stopping by. :)
• Thanks very much, Kerri. Everyone loves my Skitty. To know that cat is to love him. He has so much personality. Thanks so much for all your kind words. :)
• TB, my son sure does know me pretty well. Skittles was more in a "well are we getting breakfast now?" mode rather than actual posing, but I'll take what I can get. Thanks for the visit. :)
• Thank you very kindly, Susan. I can't get over how much detail there is in a wee hummingbird either. I never would have known it to be so intricate without a camera, so I'm very grateful for that. Thanks for the visit. :)
• Lori, thank you. That's so sweet that your Little Lady appreciates the name. I did happen to name him after the candy because his belly is all spotted like Skittles. Mostly though, we call him Skitty. I'll give him a scratch behind his ears just for Little Lady. No doubt he will purr loudly. :)
• Thanks very much, Leah. He's an easy and cooperative subject. :)
• Thanks, Linda. Don't let him hear you say that. It will go straight to his furry little head. ;)
• Aww, Elizabeth. Thank you so much for that. :)
• Thanks, Steve. There's nothing like golden sunlight to highlight an animal's coat. Thanks for the visit. :)
• Thanks, Daryl. He is a fine creature. :)
• Oh, Ellen. Thank you kindly. :)
• Thanks very much, Linda. He's a easy subject. He just sits there looking adorable. :)
• JarieLyn, thanks so much for your kind words. It was a very accommodating morning. :)
• Sage, thanks very much. It's pretty much all about light and shadow, isn't it? :)
• Kristina, they're wonderful critters, aren't they? :)
• Reb, I had little doubt that you'd like Skitty, being the cat person you are. Thanks for the kind words. :)
• Thank you, Maggie. :)
• Nezzy, thank you so much. I was lucky to have a wall to lean on while I waited for those birds, with camera to eye. It took a lot of trial and error with settings in order to get them. And a zoom lens! Those were my lessons as I pass them along to you. :)
• Suldog, your always kind comments never bore me. How could they? Thank you kindly, my friend. :)
• Welcome, Geraldine and thank you and Chedder for your kind comments. Much appreciated. :)
• AC, I don't know what they say, but I say "thank you!" :)
• Thank you, Larry. Much appreciated. :)
• MessyMimi, if only you knew Skitty. The words "quiet dignity" would not cross your lips. He's a crazy little scamp of a fur ball. He only fakes quietly dignified for my camera. ;)
• Thank you, Kelly. I'm glad you think so. :)
• Kate, no problem about the captions - next time! ;) Thanks so much for the kind words.. to me and to Skitty. He's blushing behind that furry face. ;)
• Wendy, they're amazing little creatures. And yes, joyful. Thanks so much for your kind words. It was a lovely morning for sure. Thanks for sharing in it with me. :)
• TattyTiara, thank you so much for such very kind words. They're very much appreciated. :)
• Welcome, Red and thank you for the kind comment. I've always liked Cat Stevens too. This song ran through my head long before I set up the blog post. Thanks for stopping by. :)
• Glo, thanks so much. I'm glad you think so. Thanks for the visit. :)
• Thank you, VM. I like that "nature's spotlight." Very cool. Thanks for stopping by. :)
Ah, the magic of light and shadow. You got a few stunners there, Hil. Take a bow. :)
So stunning that I am out of words. Skittle is a beauty and I love the first image.
Have a lovely Friday my dear friend,
xoxo
Wonderful photos, up to your high standard Hilary! I loved Skittles. Aren't cats photogenic? - Dave
Love all of these, Hilary, but especially the first one of Skittles. Anyone who has owned a cat recognizes that "I want food NOW" stare. :)
That pose with Skittles is awesome. Great morning shots!!
Hugs
SueAnn
Wow Hilary. I did not ever think your photos could get any better. Those hummingbird shots-- I could cry, they're perfect!
Hilary - Gorgeous photos. True artistry. They are so peaceful, serene - calms my soul. Thank you for sharing them.
The second shot is magical.
Amazing how light can enhance a shot!
I love your early morning view. So pretty! : )
Wow - these shots are fabulous!
Lovely shots!
Love all the sunlight!
Oh Hilary--You have stolen my heart with these images! If I send my camera to you, will you please train it to take such shots?
The hummingbirds are fantastic, but those pictures of your kitty! Ohhhhhhhh!!!
Hilary that morning light is too wonderful on those pics. Cat lovers all over will adore the cat pics! The hummingbird was amazing.
These take me out of this world and very far away to a beautiful early-morning place. Amazing. You are so talented!
Oh wow - that red Hummingbird one.... YOWZA! And then some.... gorgeous light in these!
Beautiful pictures, Hilary!! The last one of the cat is my Favorite! I just love cats & that pictures is awesome!!
Have a wonderful weekend!!
Hugs,
Coreen xoxo
Hummingbird shots A - mazing :)
What a beautiful morning. Magical way to wake up!!!
Aw, pretty kitty. And hummingbirds. A significant beauty, like butterflies.
The sun is up when you awake? No fair. You must have a good spot in the time zone.
Skittles is magnificent
what a face!!
I love the wood carving
your son is an excellent gift giver
Your portraits of the cat and the hummingbirds are wonderful.
I simply love them,
Maggie X
Nuts in May
I think one of your greatest attributes is your creativity. You almost always amaze me. Surely, there must have been one time that you failed to WOW me but I cannot remember such a time. Good job!
• Thanks muchly, Frank but I know better than to take a bow in front of you. Yeah, I know.. you fed me that one. :)
• Zuzana, thanks very much, my friend. I'm glad you like the photos and Skitty in particular. :)
• Thank you so much, Dave. Cats are indeed. They're always beautiful to me. :)
• Sandra, thank you, dear friend. You have clearly had cats if you recognize the look. But I must disagree on one point. We don't own cats - they own us. ;)
• Thanks very much, SueAnn. He's a fun guy to wake up to. :)
• IBHH, thank you so much. Such very kind words and very much appreciated. :)
• Jayne, thanks very much. I'm so glad you enjoyed them. :)
• Indrani, light, and the shadows it creates is pretty much what does it. Thanks so much for your kind words. :)
• Thanks, Becky. Much appreciated. :)
• Thank you kindly, Lady Fi. :)
• Thanks, Sarah. I'm glad you stopped by. :)
• Betty, you make me blush. But you also make me smile. Thank you so much for such incredibly kind words. Cats are easy subjects though. They just sit there looking beautiful.. and knowing it. ;)
• Thanks very much, Karen. I'm so glad you enjoyed the photos. You're too kind. :)
• Sandy, thank you so kindly. Your comments always give me such a boost. :)
• SD, thanks very much. Hummers are marvelous creatures for sure. :)
• Coreen, thanks so much. I'm glad I could oblige your love of cats with a couple of feline photos. Thanks for stopping by. :)
• Christine, thank you kindly. :)
• Dawn, it truly was. Thanks for the visit. :)
• Thanks, MJ. It's funny that you should mention butterflies. I tend to group hummingbirds with them, and with dragonflies as kind of magical creatures. I'm near Toronto and the sun rises around 7:15 .. ish at this time of year. Thanks for dropping by. :)
• Dianne, Skitty is one of my two beauties. But what cat isn't beautiful? You're right about my son.. he knows what I appreciate. Thanks for the visit. :)
• Thanks very much Maggie May. You've simply made me smile. :)
• Grayquill, how very kind of you. Thank you for such a lovely compliment. :)
Lovely, Hilary. Sometimes it is easy to see why the Egyptians thought cats regal, magical beings. They do look as if they understand a mystery of the universe just beyond our sight.
In reality they are probably thinking about playing with a dust mote, but I can see where the confusion about wisdom would begin. They certainly look as if they are in on some cosmic secret.
Hilary, I absolutely LOVE the photos of your Skitty!
• Thanks, Alane. I think they're very much as you described. They're also silly and crazy. Gotta love cats. :)
• Thank you, KC. He's a really fun cat. You'd love him in person too. :)
That pose photo had me laughing! A Classic Cat!! :D)
Thanks, Michae. He's a great critter. A total goofball and as sweet as can be. Thanks for stopping by. I'm glad Skitty could make you laugh. :)
I always love your photography, but those last two portraits of your cat are utterly BREATHTAKING, even for you!
Fantastic shots, just awesome!
• Thank you so much, Shrinky. Such very kind words and they made my day. :)
• Welcome, Toemail and thanks for the kind words. Very much appreciated. :)
Playing catch up here after a long, tough weekend, but glad I took the time to move backward - nothing like morning sunshine and you captured it beautifully. I love that wooden hummingbird - and the live shots were amazing!
Thanks so much, Barbara. I'm glad you enjoyed them. :)
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