Tuesday, June 3, 2014

Shades of Spring

From beautiful sunrise to subtle but lovely sunset, our world has awakened in soft, fragrant shades of spring. I hope you enjoy the photos below, along with the humour of Jarod Kintz, Wallace Stevens and Jack Handey's Deep Thoughts.

baptiste sunrise3
The morning always has a way of creeping up on me and peeking in my bedroom windows. The sunrise is such a pervert.
~ Jarod Kintz
On this May morning, Frank's two wonderful sisters, Lisa and Theresa were sleeping under our roof. It was the first time they came up to visit and we enjoyed their company immensely. I hope they'll return before too long. On that day, I awoke early to see shades of pink spilling into my bedroom. Outside, the sun was rising and a duck was having a peaceful swim alongside the dock.





grack2
The grackles crack their throats of bone in the smooth air. Most spiss oh! Yes, most spissantly. They sing right puissantly.
~ Wallace Stevens (taken from two of his quotes)
Despite their cold eye... despite their raucous call.. despite how they appear to be a simple black bird, grackles, when viewed in the right light - are beautiful, colourful birds.





raibbow4
My two favorite colors of the rainbow are gold and leprechaun.
~ Jarod Kintz
Given the right conditions, it's almost impossible for me to resist looking for and photographing a rainbow. They're always such a visual treat. Bring on more sun showers!





sparrow
I bet the sparrow looks at the parrot and thinks, yes, you can talk, but LISTEN TO YOURSELF
~ Jack Handey
Another little cutie who comes to visit us is the chipping sparrow. Isn't that a sweet little face?





chipping sparrow2
Whenever I hear the sparrow chirping, watch the woodpecker chirp, catch a chirping trout, or listen to the sad howl of the chirp rat, I think: Oh boy! I'm going insane again.
~ Jack Handey
Here's a closer look. Was I wrong?





daffy
Consider the daffodil. And while you're doing that, I'll be over here, looking through your stuff.
~ Jack Handey
Daffodils look quite pretty from any angle - especially after a rain.





heron bye bye
We like to praise birds for flying. But how much of it is actually flying, and how much of it is just sort of coasting from the previous flap?
~ Jack Handey
Stepping outside on the deck, I inadvertently spooked a great blue heron. They sure are graceful for such a gangly, awkward-looking bird.





whistling boy cloud
Instead of casting my fishing line into the lake, my hook got caught on a passing cloud. It's OK, because I ended up catching a bird.
~ Jarod Kintz
When I saw this cloud, I immediately thought of the old Irwin Hasen comic strip Dondi. To me it appeared as if he was glancing up to the left and whistling a carefree tune. Can you see it? You probably have to be over forty to remember Dondi.





Ruffette
As I walked through the woods, I looked up and saw a squirrel. I smiled and he smiled. At least I think it was a smile. My teeth were showing and my cheeks were pulled up. That's a smile, isn't it?
 ~ Jack Handey
So now that spring is here, it would appear that this red squirrel probably has some little ones to feed. No more calling her Rufus. She has now been dubbed "Rufette."





dusk on Baptiste
If I could lick the sunset, I'll bet it would taste like Neapolitan ice cream.
~ Jarod Kintz
Aside from its location, there are some days that our dusk is quite similar to our sunrises. We do face east and if anything is going to explode into colour it will be the dawning sun. But occasionally, the reflective sunset gives us some colourful moments, as well. Just imagine how this might have looked on a western waterfront.





evening moon
I want to be the first and second man to dance on the moon. No, I won't moonwalk. But I will Cha Cha-with my clone.
~ Jarod Kintz
The clear evening sky revealed a partial moon. When moonrise happens before sunset, you still get to enjoy some of the blueness in the sky.

More photos coming up before too much longer.

51 comments:

ADRIAN said...

It is looking great. I am very jealous it is a wonderful place winter or summer.

Anonymous said...

What beautiful nature shots - love that greckle!

Lisa said...

Just Beautiful . Your view is stunning , and I agree with your thoughts on the Black Bird. I love the color in the right light.

from Madrid said...

Only a word, beautiful your shots !

Tomás.

Andy said...

Another fine collection of superb photos. Keep on clicking Hilary.

Anvilcloud said...

I am well >40 and I don't know Dondi, but I can see him anyway.

I think I would be shooting that dock regularly.

Brian Miller said...

gotta love that metallic sheen on the grackle....ha. a couple of the quotes gave me a good giggle as well...

hey, i wrote a moon poem for tomorrow, can i use your last picture there if i give you credit and a link

Anonymous said...

Beautiful series of photos. We have the chipping sparrows visit the garden too, such cute little visitors. Your view over the lake is gorgeous.

Out on the prairie said...

Lovely shots. I like the thoughts watching the clouds, I do it often.

DJan said...

The chipping sparrow is indeed a cute one. Herons seems almost prehistoric to me. And you're right: for such a big bird, it's very graceful. But that squawk! :-)

Leah J. Utas said...

Beautiful pics. I am especially fond of the first one.

Optimistic Existentialist said...

Oh my gosh these are some INCREDIBLE photos. LOVE the grackle :)

Optimistic Existentialist said...

P.S. I am trying to follow but your GFC follow button seems to be momentarily down. I will stop back a bit later and try again :)

CiCi said...

Frank's sisters must have enjoyed the natural beauty of your home as well as the joy of just having time with both of you.

TexWisGirl said...

i'm loving all your photos. rufette. so cute! i have to admit, though, i was scrolling to the next photo hoping for another jack handey quote. love him!

TexWisGirl said...

oh, and i looked up dondi. didn't know that one and i'm over 50. :)

Shammickite said...

hehehe I had forgotten about the wise Jack Handley. When I read those quotes I could hear his voice in my head. Not sure if that is a good thing or a bad thing. And I'm way over 40 and never heard of Dondi, perhaps because I grew up the other side of the world.... almost. Anyway, enuf useless babble.... great pictures of your new environment, Hilary! Your squirrel seems better behaved than mine.

Shammickite said...

Sorry I meant Handey not Handley, duh!

Maggie May said...

Love the colours in that bird....... a grackel...... which I've never heard of.
The little sqirrel photo is very appealing.
Maggie x

Nuts in May

Bob Bushell said...

Oh yes, what a beautiful scenery, and there was animals and the little birds, love 'em.

stephen Hayes said...

There's something magical about rainbows. I've tried to paint a few and the delicate effects are hard to render.

Gail Dixon said...

Wow, so impressive, from the first shot to the last. You have managed to find paradise on earth. Adore your sunrise/sunset shots, the sweet little sparrow and the beautiful grackle. Yes, I think they're beautiful too!

Daryl said...

rainbows ever elusive here …

joeh said...

My folks retired to a creek on the eastern shore Md. off the Chesapeake Bay and your dock and pictures bring me back to that beautiful place.

ellen abbott said...

lovely pics as usual. grackles are noisy and rude and they travel in large groups but they are iridescently beautiful.

Red said...

I wish I could get my butt out of bed early enough to see the sunrise. Nicely done.

Lisa Gordon said...

This is such a beautiful series of images, Hilary!

Jackie said...

I haven't been blogging, but I love to come here just to get glimpses of some of the most amazing photographs I have ever seen. Mean that with all my heart. You are magnificent with that camera.
And I sigh....and look at each photo again. Thank you for sharing your talents with me..

Cloudia said...

EACH photo a legit WOW; but the Grackle will stay in my mind for a LOOONG time. Thanks for the rainbow quote which I shall steal directly. Thanks for sharing this healing delight, Pal



ALOHA from Honolulu
ComfortSpiral
=^..^=

Slamdunk said...

I like to think the grackle is similar too many things--I tend to overlook it, but as you captured, very intricate if given a chance.

I like your rainbow too. We live in a river valley and see them regularly out the back window. Thunderstorm clearing brought 3 rainbows tonight. Never get tired of looking at them.

Ruth Hiebert said...

These pictures are a treat for my eyes. Beautiful scenes which you have captured so well.

Bossy Betty said...

I feel so wonderfully relaxed after this little trip!

Jinksy said...

I've no idea who Dondi is/was, but I love the whistling cloud. :-)

Eddie Bluelights said...

Amazing sety of photos, Hilary, as usual.
I like the squirrel and the spooked heron taking off. Amazing that such an awkward thing can fly let alone be graceful in flight when it gets airbourne.

Tabor said...

It is enriching to see the world through your lens. I need to get up earlier!!

Betty Manousos said...

so many lovely photos. i enjoyed seeing your fascinating work again as well.
it's always a pleasure to visit your blog, hilary!

big hugs~

Jenn Jilks said...

They are beautiful photos, all! I enjoy your part of the world! I went canoeing the other day. It was wonderful. I so miss my lake.\cheers

yaya said...

I never heard of a "Grackle"...beautiful bird! All your pics are so cool..the rainbow is just amazing and I have to admit that I love being "mooned" by you!

Betsy Brock said...

I love that first picture. What a gorgeous view from your bedroom! Everything is perfect about that..pink clouds, reflective water, swimming duck. Lovely!

Mage said...

Spring has returned at last. It was a slow crawl into the warmth, but it's back. That Grackle has a magic of line that's wonderful.

Suldog said...

There's the sort of thing I find only in your photography: a bird captured in mid-step. Wonderful.

And, yes, I remember Dondi.

Gary's third pottery blog said...

SUCH a pretty sunrise :)

A Cuban In London said...

You hope we enjoy the photos? Oh, c'mon, don't go all introverted and shy on us! :-) You know we will enjoy your photos. They're glorious.

Greetings from London.

Kat said...

Wow. It is amazing all the beauty in this world. Surrounding us every where we go. Amazing.

photowannabe said...

Such amazing views from your window. Quite magical to me.
I love the heron in flight photo and of course all of them.

Unknown said...

The Heron in flight is grand! Speaking of flight, it's impossible for me to gaze at the Moon at any time of the day, or angle and not marvel at the privilege I had to interview Frank Borman of Apollo 8. Wow! Your post reminded me...

Anonymous said...

Thank you for sharing these beautiful glimpses of your world. Great capture of the grackle!

Lynne with an e said...

Such lovely bookends to this piece, with a nice big slice of moon cheese served at the very end for our delectation. Everything in between was sweet to behold...even Rufette, even though I am not fond of squirrels.

Karen (formerly kcinnova) said...

I continue to be amazed at the beauty with which you are surrounded on a daily basis. No wonder you moved there!

Betty Manousos said...

fantastic nature photos, hilary!
i feel relaxed just by looking at them! love the amazing views from your window. you're so lucky to live in such a picturesque place!

big hugs~

Betty Manousos said...

i know i have left a comment on this post before, but i'm back reading this a second time!