Creekside
About ten days ago, I took a walk along the creek near Frank's place. There was a fresh blanket of snow lightly covering the shoreline, and the creek water had begun to freeze along the edges. It was a lovely sunny morning and I enjoyed snapping a few shots.Now here's a technique that Jillsy Girl helped me out with last July. Try as I may, many times before and since, I haven't been able to accomplish a rollover/mouse-over image. It finally occurred to me that it just couldn't be done with photos which were stored at Flickr. This time, I uploaded the pair of images to my old nemesis, Photobucket, and Jill's instructions worked just fine. Thanks, Jill!So if you'll roll your cursor over the sepia image above, you'll see how this scene looked to my eye, and to my camera. I just thought it might be nice to see the creek as photographers might have shared it in days gone by. Do you have a preference?Walking a bit closer to the water, this was the view to my leftAnd a bit further along (Yes, I played with these colours here, also).Despite the force of the falling water, ice was beginning to build up at the base of the dam. Across the creek, I spied a tree which might not be with us in another year or two.Heading back to the house, there's a small pond where dozens of ducks gather as long as part of it stays unfrozen. I didn't have Benny with me on this stroll and the ducks were happy for that. They all came to greet me, hoping I had something for them. I know it's not wise to feed them, for their own welfare but I was selfishly anticipating getting in a few photos.And that's when another dog came tearing up the path with bird-chasing on his mind. And off they flew.Time for me to fly now, too - but just for a few days when I'll be back with more photos. Thanks for joining me.
75 comments:
that is a really cool affect with the roll over cursor...with that one i like the original...but nnot always...
Great and fun shot of the ducks parading across the frozen pond. Hope no one slips and falls. LOL
I love the duck pics especially... The rollover doesn't work in my Internet-creaking South Africa, but I love the Sepia look
I love water of any kind in any form . . . including ponds frozen or thawed. The first duck photo made me smile; they're comical (and beautiful) looking critters even in a photograph. Second one made me think it must be awful to live one's life as PREY.
I like the sepia better than the color in the first photo . . . the vines and the water and the color all together is distracting for me, and the sepia is nice and calm.
Always great to "walk" with you Hilary! Beautiful "take off" of the ducks!!
I really like both pictures. And I love the ducks padding towards you. I *do* feed ducks. I go to the local feed store and buy duck food. I feel bad for them this time of the year.
that was interesting to watch the photo change to normal and back to sepia. Well done and great photos!
sooo pretty, but I love the proud ducks walking on ice!
great commentary and photos!
i like all of them.
always great to visit your site, hilary.
you've gotten my day off to a good start. thank you.
I like the non-sepia best. It's brighter and less monochromatic. But the ducks on the frozen water was priceless. Their orange feet and reflections made the picture a real treat.
Loved trekking with you through the snow. The mouse-over trick is so cool and one day when I have a spare moment I'm going to try that! For this photo I give a slight edge to the original because I like the contrast of the white against the brown trees. But both are very good!
Beautiful shots of a lovely area. I like both versions...but that has always been my problem in photography. I do not have a style or sense of focus!!
Oh, Hilary! Those duck pictures are simply amazing!
Relaxing photos, and I like the effect as well. The ducks charge us as well this time of year.
Enjoy the rest of your week Hilary.
Gorgeous as always. I've missed your beautiful images. Have been using my new camera a lot lately. Photography is such a cool thing. :)
I prefer the natural image but the roll over effect is cool. The duck shot is awesome! Cheers, Ruby
I wish I had a creek in my back yard. great pictures and I love the ducks.
Very beautiful photos!
Wonderful, as always. Love the ducks, those red feet.
Usually i prefer the actual picture to the sepia, but that can depend on the subject.
Never thought of it before, but ducks are just the right critters to walk on ice -- if they slip, they don't have far to fall.:)
I don't get out as much as I should so your lovely pictures are the next best thing to taking a real stroll. Thanks.
i love the blues and whites of winter, but glad you got the mouse-over to work!
that herd o' ducks is too cute!
I love the shot of the ducks walking toward you! I am, once again, in awe of your photography skills. You have a magnificent eye for detail, and the patience to capture it. Truly wonderful.
I love the photos of ducks. I wish I had some wild ducks around here, but we have no ponds or frigid cold temperatures. They are such beautiful creatures.
I didn't feel like walking today. Now I feel like I have.
Thanks! ;)
You make me actually like the cold.
What glorious shots. Love those ducks. As for the first shot, I prefer the modern version where I can see that lovely sunny sky!
The sepia tone is interesting,both worked well.Love the ducks flying off also, I smear them often trying to get the big picture.
When I come here, I soak up the scenes and smile. So much beauty!
The ducks are wonderful. I like both of them as they move on the ice. Your creek visit is fantastic.
love the ducks waddling and geese taking off ..
Gppd for you in catching the ducks beginning to fly off.
I prefer the soft golden feeling of the sepia version of the first photo. Softens the harshness of winter cold for one thing. Makes it more romantic.
The ice-skating ducks are precious! Maybe I should get some duck-shoes for icy days rather than crampons as running into icy patches usually leave me quacking in my boots.
All those red feet marching toward you, how adorable! I only hope I saved my own copy of those instructions from Geri at http://www.myheartartbygeri.com/ Thanks for the mention!
Pretty gems, and pretty damn cold from where I could see. Fantastic photos.
Those waddling. greedy ducks are my favorite - what a great capture. Enjoy your snow.
Wonderful images. I like the sepia, it lends itself well to intimate landscapes.
The rollover thing was awesome. I had no idea that could be done. I so love your photography. I like the sepia but love color. We have had an extremely mild winter so far so it is nice to see pictures from a cooler region.
I loved seeing the ducks waddling along there, but darn it that they were scared off. It did make for another photo opp though. Spectacular wintry shots.
Hillary, I didn't know you could have a "mouse-roll over." How cool. Which I like better, ha, depends on my mood. The ducks are amazing!
Waddling on ice... I wish I had that much grace when out walking on our icy roads!
The sepia look is nice, but I prefer the true color today. (But that's just today.)
~Karen at http://spokalulu.wordpress.com
• Thanks, Brian. I couldn't decide which one I liked better. :)
• Diane, if they do, they've not got far to fall. ;)
• Thanks, Robin. It wasn't so long ago that my old computer wouldn't cooperate with things like this either so I can empathize with you and your rickety connection. :)
• June, thanks for your input. To some degree, we're all prey but I know what you mean. Ducks look so vulnerable. I suppose it's a good thing that an exuberant dog comes along every now and then to keep them on high alert. :)
• Thank you, Kerri. And how cool that your blog featured a mallard in flight, also. :)
• Thanks, Birdie. The main problem with feeding ducks is that most folks give them food devoid of proper nutrients such as bread. Duck food is good. There's still the dependency factor but far better if they depend on food which is healthy for them. Thanks for stopping by. :)
• Thanks kindly, Jeff. :)
• Gary, thanks. They make me smile when they're on parade like that. :)
• Betty, thank you. And you never fail to bring a smile to my face. :)
• DJan, thanks kindly. I typically like natural images much better than treatments but every now and then I have fun playing. ;) Thanks for your always-kind words. :)
• Gail, thanks very much for your input and kind comments. I can't imagine you have too many spare moments, these days but I selfishly hope you keep on enjoying your photo walks. :)
• Tabor, thank you kindly but I beg to differ. You share beautiful images and I enjoy them immensely. I don't think I have a photographic "style" either. I just shoot what I like and hope for the best. :)
• Betty, thank you so much. I'm glad you like them. :)
• Slamdunk, thank you. Much appreciated. :)
• Good to see you, Angie. I hope all is well with you. I'll look forward to seeing your images if you're posting again. Thanks for stopping by. :)
• Ruby, thanks kindly. I'm not sure which one I prefer but I had fun figuring out how to present both. Thanks for your visit. :)
• Thanks, Ellen. I wish I did too. But I'll settle for a lake outside my door, one day. :)
• Photoioannina, thank you kindly. :)
• Moannie, lovely to see you. Thanks for your sweet words. :)
• MessyMimi, so true. I see a new avatar.. very cool. :)
• Stephen, thanks kindly. I hope you do get out for a walk your own self, though. It's good for the soul. :)
• Tex, thanks very much. The colours of this season are best enjoyed in photos. ;)
• Suldog, thank you so much for your always kind comments. You never fail to give my ego a bit of a boost. That's so appreciated. :)
• Denise, thanks very much. I'm very lucky that both Frank and I each live near water. The birds it attracts are such a treat. Thanks for your visit. :)
• Frank, familiar territory, eh? :)
• Kristina, my camera helps me learn to enjoy it, too. Thanks for the visit. :)
• Lady Fi, thank you. I'm still undecided but of course, only one is the real thing. Thanks for stopping by. :)
• Steve, thanks very much. Ducks are tricky to capture smoothly. They just never stop moving! :)
• Rosaria, thank you so much. I'm so glad you enjoy it. :)
• Thanks very much, Larry. I'm pleased that you like them. :)
• Thank you, Daryl but there ain't a goose in the flock. :)
• Thanks, AC. It was luck. I was still trying to capture them approaching when the dog had them reverse order. ;)
• Louciao, you quack me up! Thanks to you, I now know what it is that I like about the sepia image. It is more romantic. Thanks for that. :)
• Jill, if you no longer have it, I can send it to you. Thanks for your help and your always-kind words. :)
• Thank you, Bob. It was a coldish day but it's been pretty mild, this winter for the most part. Thanks for your visit. :)
• Thanks, Barb but that snow is already long-gone. We're enjoying above-freezing temperatures this week. :)
• Thank you, Laura. You and Louciao define it best between you.. romantic and intimate. :)
• Thanks kindly, JC. I'm amazed at how many blogging tricks there are out there. I'm glad you're enjoying warm weather. Ours has become mild again, too. :)
• Thank you, Liz. Not to worry about the ducks. They only flew to the far side of the pond and it's a very small body of water. You could walk around it in less than two minutes. :)
• Thanks, Karen. It's interesting to learn how many things can be changed on the blog. Thanks for stopping by. :)
• KC, ha! I know what you mean.. there's not much more that can make me feel like an old lady than trying to walk on ice. :)
So if you follow a creek the story and photos present themselves. I'll have remember that.
Great story and photos.
So if you follow a creek the story and photos present themselves. I'll have remember that.
Great story and photos.
I absolutely love the picture of the ducks marching toward you. You certainly had your ducks in a row on that one. :)
I enjoy the winter scenes. The roll over idea is neat,but I can't decide which I like better.
I always enjoy stopping by. :)
those duck pics ROCK!
Warm Aloha from Waikiki
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You sure have alot of ticks. I loved the duck's little orange legs most. Extra good post.
Love going on walks with you. Such a beautiful landscape!! The sepia is nice but I like the brightness better...mainly because of the contrast that happens with the snow.
Hugs
SUeAnn
Love the shot of the Mallards coming to see you. :-)
Hilary, thanks for sharing your winter with us. Those photos are amazing. I especially like the ducks on the ice.
We are having a typical Southern winter. Today it is 62 degrees and windy.
All wonderful but my preference is for the truer colours. That said, it is only be experimenting that we discover something special.
Winter and Water = Magical
Very cool trick with the cursor. I like them both, but the sepia is kinda cool. The dam starting to freeze is a good shot and I love the ducks.
How cool is that whole roll-over effect! Wicked cool! I personally like the sepia look...gives the photo a nostalgic feel which I love. I can almost 'see' the ducks waddling towards you. Actually can feel the chill in the air when looking at some of these shots...nicely done! Enjoy your weekend!
I like the natural color more but the sepia does paint a certain mood. And it almost seems like the ducks legs are moving across that ice.
Oh my gosh, Hilary--those ducks have to be one of the cutest photos I've ever seen! And the geese! And the rollover magic! All fabulous. They belong in a magazine. Or a book!
(Did I insert enough exclamation marks up there?)
How your artful photos inspire. :)
Oh those ducks are so cute - dancing on the ice! LOL! Thanks for sharing.
the ducks just make me giggle. it's a cute picture but kind of like a far side version of hitchcock's :the birds.: hehehehe
you know, that is a cool mouse effect that I missed the first time, Hil
Great photos !
LG Alexandra
First - I REALLY like the green water bottle photo. A lot! The shadows, color ... incredible. That is truly museum quality.
I have always liked seeing small clear water streams in winter. Something about the contrast of the snow and water is amazing.
I can almost see Mother Nature smiling when I see this on a winter day.
Truly enjoyed stopping by. Thanks!
excellent walk and as usual, a good eye for a shot.
• Thank you, Red. I suspect that no matter what path you follow, the stories can present themselves. All we need to do is hear them. :)
• Linda, you quack me up! Thank you, my friend. :)
• Ruth, no need to decide. I'm just glad you stopped by. :)
• Thanks, Mage. I'm glad that you do. :)
• Thank you, Cloudia. :)
• Many thanks, Grayquill. Much appreciated. :)
• Thanks kindly, SueAnn. I always enjoy having you along. :)
• Nice to see you, Keith. Thanks for stopping by. :)
• Linda, thank you kindly. There's nothing all that typical about this winter, so far.
• Daniel, very true. And besides, it's fun to play. ;) Thanks always for stopping by, my friend. :)
• Reb, thanks very much. I'm glad you enjoyed them. :)
• Thanks very kindly, Deb. Thanks for joining me - always appreciated. And you have yourself a fine weekend, also. :)
• Travis, thank you. I'm glad you enjoyed them. I have to wonder if a lettuce-hater such as yourself sees "food" walking across the ice. ;)
• Jayne, thank you so much. You certainly did insert enough exclamation marks.. and even some non-existent geese! ;) Thanks for your always-kind words. :)
• Wendy, they do indeed appear to be duck dancing. Thanks for your visit. :)
• Lime, should I be scared if one follows me home and starts rapping on the front door with its bill? Thanks for the smiles. :)
• Cloudia, thanks for the return visit. Much appreciated. :)
• Alexandra, thank you kindly. :)
• Russell, thank you always for your encouraging comments. You never fail to bring a smile to my face. :)
• Friko, thanks so much. Always a pleasure to have you along. :)
Cool post and I love all those birds marching toward you.
That is indeed a cool effect, I like both shots. The shot of the moving water and the snow is a beauty. I am bundling up here just looking at these pictures, looks cold there.
Love that roll-over technique. the sepia makes it feel really cold but the color give it such a brisk feel. I guess I like the color better.
Love your ice skating ducks. Its a fun picture. Have a wonderful weekend Hilary.
Lovely ducks, great shots.
A Walk fantastic with a beautiful light.
The water fall is spectacular and great fun walking ducks.
Greetings.
I love the photo trick! So pretty...but I love the color one since I've seen more gray this winter than I can handle! Love the ducks!
How fun to go on walk with you: I like that pic of the ice at the base of the dam, and the duck sequence is so funny.
I've never used Photobucket & wonder if there are other applications that might work with the mouse-over. The sepia makes that photo quite special! (I guess I wouldn't want to use sepia all the time though. The ducks would look really weird in sepia!)
Hi Hilary,
You have a post titled "winter" on my blogroll, but for some weird reason, I can't access it.
Will try again later.
Hugs
• Thank you, Scott. I'm glad you enjoyed it. :)
• Gillian, thank you. It's not quite as cold as it may look to you. Today we've had snow, rain, snow, rain. It's been one of those wet days which hover around the freezing mark. It's usually much colder in late January. I'm not complaining . :)
• Sue, it's funny. I find that the sepia gives the scene some warmth. It's all a matter so perspective, I suppose. Thanks always for your very kind words. They're so appreciated. :)
• Bengts, thank you kindly. :)
• Javier, thanks very much for your kind comment. :)
• Yaya, thank you. I understand your tendency toward colour, these days. Spring will get here before too long. Thanks always for your kind words. :)
• Kerry, I always enjoy having you along for my walks. I think that any photo hosting site that give the image its own URL would work. That seemed to be the key. Flickr seems to give it a different code for posting on blogs. I can't say that I understand it, but I could see the difference.. finally. The sepia appearance was something I did in Photoshop before sending it up to Photobucket. And now you've got me thinking about how the ducks might look in sepia. ;)
• Wendy, sorry about the confusion. That post was something I was trying to schedule for later but I hit something and which seems to have sent it to post. For right now, it's a non-post but the intended blog post will show up later this week or next. I have a few pre-set to go and that was just one of them. By now, you'll have seen my Thursday post. Thanks for letting me know. :)
I still haven't tried the rollover thing. I like the original, but the sepia one is very pretty, too. Adore the one with the ducks coming to you! Thanks for taking us along on your walk!
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