Spring Miscellany

Following are a few photos taken over the last couple of weeks around my place and Frank's


I can't begin to count how many times I've seen a bird perched upon a branch or other interesting surface which begged to be photographed for one reason or another. Usually it's the bird's own beauty that draws me in. Sometimes it's the setting. Occasionally the background. More often than not though, I'll raise my camera, focus on the creature and snap the shot just as the bird has taken off in flight, leaving me with an attractive branch and background but no bird. This robin was kind enough to stay put for one photo.





And when it did take off, it was even more thoughtful to do so at the exact same time that I pressed the shutter and not the usual split-second before. Thanks, robin!





The remaining trunk from a tree which was cut down last year. I expect more interesting growth of moss and fungus around its rings each year.





One of the tulips blooming in my front yard.





Now that the warm weather is here, Benny loves to fetch a stick which we toss out into the creek for him. It allows him to practice his swimming skills which are quite good.




One afternoon, we had finished tossing sticks for Benny and decided to sit at a bench and take in the sights for a few minutes. A woman was walking along the path, approaching us from the left. As she passed by in front of us, we both distinctly heard what we thought was her stomach growling. It was only when she had continued past us that we realized what had really growled...


This wee beast.. all safe and sound hiding behind his person.





This damaged tree provides a perfect shelf to place a peanut for a lucky squirrel. It's a bit of a crude offering - only because of the graffiti to the bottom right of the peanut.





Late at night, along the path, the park lights create interesting shadows of the new growth.





There must have been some sort of promotion going on a the car dealership across the street, beyond the hill. Those spotlights were criss-crossing in the night sky and I decided to get a picture of them. I tried some with and without the flash and I played around with the ISO. It was only when I uploaded this one, that I noticed that the tree supports were angled pretty much the same way the lights are behind them. A lucky mistake.