Sunday, May 26, 2013

And Then What Happened?

I have few photo pairs for you - and in one case a trio of images - all which answer the question "And then what happened?"

soft sumac budding branch
I photograph this soft, fuzzy branch often. In all seasons. At all times of day. In all kinds of weather. From all angles. It's a young growth of sumac just behind the fence, alongside the walking path at my park. On this day in early May, I noticed that the buds were just about ready to open. And then what happened?



sumac sprouting
Well.. then I came back and photographed it just four days later. Four sunny, warm summer-like days later. Magic happened.




contrails on water
This hazy image is a reflection of contrails as seen in my local pond.




contrails
I looked up to snap a shot of the matching scene in the sky above. I decided to click a second time, from a slightly different position through the willow branches. A loud "GROK!" reached my ears. And then what happened?
 


willow contrail and heron
A vocal heron in flight filled my viewfinder. His long bill was open in mid-GROK! A lovely surprise.




having a ball
There have been some changes around my park over the past year. There are new benches, information areas which discuss wildlife and plant life in the area. There is a beautiful tree carving depicting the creatures which grace us with their presence. And there's talk of a couple of other things to come. One day, these bright orange balls appeared in the pond. I wondered about their symmetry and figured out pretty quickly that they were anchored down like that for a reason. I had a vague idea what they were about but I wasn't certain. And then what happened?




floating
Just a few days later there were multiple hexagon-shaped pieces surrounding the place-keeping balls. Eventually, plant life will sprout from these forms and a floating island will be born. That orange glow behind it all was my first snapped sunset of the season. I'll have more from that evening coming up at some point.




ready for take off
On a dull evening, just before dusk, I heard this cardinal atop the tree, singing his heart out for a mate. And then what happened?




nose dive
He found her. Perhaps. He took such a quick nosedive off of the branch, it couldn't be anything else. Perhaps.




grape hyacynth2
Grape hyacinths are growing randomly in my front yard. I posted a different photo of them in a previous post. For this one, I had to get up good and close to them with the macro lens - they're so pretty. And teeny-tiny. And they look so colourful dotting the otherwise boring grass. And then what happened?


shepickedthem
They ended up looking even prettier when my adorable neighbour Lily decided to pick them.

And that's what's been happening around here. More photos in a few days.

52 comments:

OmaLindasOldeBaggsandStuftShirts said...

Oh I love this series. And then what happened is so engaging. Each and every one of these is so special. But I have to say that Lily is blossoming as well as the flowers. Oma Linda

Linda at To Behold The Beauty said...

I have to agree with the "other" Linda...Lily is looking lovely; and those sweet blue hyacinths look especially pretty in her little hands.

waldlaeufer68 Frank Scholtyssek said...

Cardinal nosedive .. Perfect .. you've captured great .. makes a lot of fun to look at the photo ..
regards Frank

Unknown said...

Hilary: I really enjoyed seeing this collection. The photo of the orange balls had me coming back to read and re-read. That is fascinating! :)

Cloudia said...

She is adorable!

Gets it from you, oh blogger of lovely posts



ALOHA from Honolulu
Comfort Spiral
~ > < } } ( ° > <3

Geraldine said...

Magic indeed, great photos Hilary!

Tabor said...

So exactly when are you opening up your photography studio?

CiCi said...

Great way to tell the different stories. The cardinal was indeed in a hurry to get where he was nose diving to.

Hilary said...

I have a particular fondness for herons.......the shot of the diving bird is great, the little girl......aw, what a beauty!!!

joeh said...

Of all the wonderful creatures you have captured here, the last one is my favorite!!

messymimi said...

Spring is just busting out all over, and it will keep doing so, that's what's next! You've captured it very, very well.

Elizabeth Grimes said...

Ha ha! Clever post Hilary. I enjoyed it.

Red said...

What better way to make great photos better? Tell a good story to go along with them. Nice post.

TexWisGirl said...

my gosh, that last photo is worthy of massive publication! you captured her innocence, slight craftiness and beauty all in one. stellar portrait!

loved all your 'then what happened'. the new leaves have such beautiful color to them! and the floating islands are really cool!

DJan said...

She's lovely. I am enchanted with that diving bird picture, though. What a catch! Makes me wonder, and then what happened? :-)

Ruth Hiebert said...

You sure have a way of keeping the suspense high. Each of these pictures are gorgeous.It is amazing what we see when accompanied by a camera.

Betty Manousos said...

what a beautiful little girl lilly is!

thank you for sharing these wonderful captures. i particularly like that first one and lilly's portrait.

happy sunday!

Indrani said...

That is an amazing macro of Grape hyacinths. I never get to see them here.

Lynne with an e said...

What fun! Sequels rock. Timing is everything, and you got it all just right.

Rita said...

I love the and then what happened pic series!! Can hardly wait to see the floating island they're creating. :)

Brian Miller said...

how cool on those floating islands....fun series of pictures hilary...nice to see the world through your eyes...

yaya said...

And then what happened??? I enjoyed your fun post! I love the close up of the hyacinths..it would make a beautiful enlarged framed picture! That little girl is adorable!

A Cuban In London said...

The two photos of the cardinal are breathtaking. My favourite ones, although it's a tough call, all your photos are so good.

Greetings from London.

Sueann said...

What a wonderful photo essay....gorgeous!
Hugs
SueAnn

Rob-bear said...

Lovely story. Wonderful photos. As always.

Blessings and Bear hugs!
Bears Noting
Life in the Urban Forest (poetry)

Anvilcloud said...

A clever post with a surprising and lovely ending.

Leave It To Davis said...

I loved this! I had no idea that someone could create a floating island. You'll have to go back and take more pictures to let us see it develop. I think that's so interesting! Loved the contrails' reflections in the water....then to the sky and then the heron! But the best one of all is Lily picking the hyacinth! I was expecting an open flower....Lily was even better! You are so clever!

Anonymous said...

I love how you gave us the before and after! I've never seen a cardinal nose-dive like that. What a capture! The last image is priceless!

Liz Mays said...

Each of these scenarios is perfect in its own unique way. I wouldn't change even one!

Bob Bushell said...

Things that life can do for you, pretty and beautiful.

Dianne said...

beautiful little girl

love the bird doing a nose dive

wonderful series as always

Pauline said...

oh! And sigh (of delight).

Maggie May said...

The bird diving, The little girl...... the blue zoomed in hyacinth petals that looked like berries........ all make lovely photos.
Maggie x

Nuts in May

Sharon Wagner said...

That is a cool shot of the cardinal nosedive. I so laughed at your woodstork comment last week!

Anonymous said...

A wonderful post - loved seeing what happened in each shot.

Phyllis E said...

Hi Cuzzie,

Great photos and captions, as always. I must admit, though, that the title of your post led me to expect a riddle or puzzle of some sort - I always love your puzzles, even (or especially) when I can't figure them out!

Hugs,
Cuzzie P

holdingmoments said...

An excellent post Hilary.

Suldog said...

As usual, you've given us views we would have otherwise missed. I love coming here :-)

Couple of things: Yes, it had to be a lady cardinal. We males will dive head first for only so many things. About the pond - odd. Will nothing grow there naturally? It seems somehow off-putting to have the bright orange man-made globes intruding. Of course, it's 'your' pond, not mine, so maybe you think it's the best!

Wendy said...

What a fun post! And what nice photos. You were quick to capture that heron in flight - the cardinal too. I had a hummer at my feeder about an hour ago (I'd only seen one other before this), so with great excitement, I lunged for my camera - but of course, it flew away before I could even put camera to my eye.

Lily is a beauty - you can forgive her picking your grapes (hyacinths, that is). LOL!

Dan said...

You so love to tantalize, titillate and tease.

That little girl and her innocent and beautiful smile is priceless.

SandyCarlson said...

Oh, my goodness. Everyone of these images reminds me of how beautiful life is. Splendid. Your work redefines the word.

Pierre BOYER said...

Another marvelous serie...

Pierre

EG CameraGirl said...

Your neighburhood has been full of happenings. Lily sure is a cutie!

Daryl said...

oh my lily has grown from a toddler into a little girl ...

Friko said...

Enough beauty to keep you going for a few days.

sage said...

You do such a wonderful job capturing beauty and that last one melts my heart!

Reena said...

Those grape hyacinths are lovely as is Lily! Great series.

Rajesh said...

Superb set of images. Great variety.

Crabby McSlacker said...

Wow.

All so awesome, and love the suspense of not knowing where each paring is going. And that diving cardinal? How the heck did you catch that!!???! I'm convinced you have superpowers.

Linda said...

Lovely pictures! There certainly is a lot going on around there. It looks like a beautiful time of year. It has gotten hot here now.

VM Sehy Photography said...

What a fun set of photos. Hope the cardinal found a mate. Also, it'll be neat to see how that island shapes up.

christopher said...

Excellent.

Love the paired contrails. And the cardinal in a nose dive is awesome.