You Are My Mate for Life

My friend Alison loves geese. She has numerous art prints of them hanging in her home. She told me once that she loves them because they mate for life. I thought that her honest enjoyment in them was so special that it engraved in my memory. So, being stuck in my apartment due to a North Carolina snow that shuts down EVERYTHING, I was all about killing the boredom. That usually entails me dragging out my camera and driving my dogs crazy. The first day of the snow was grey, overcast, hazy and just downright dismal. The second day gave me exactly what I wanted: sharp, bright sunshine on crisp snow and brilliant blue skies that remind me of the way ice tastes. The Canada geese that had spent the night sleeping and floating on the pond outside my windows were brave enough to walk fairly close to my patio. I was also trying out a new lens...okay, so it was new to me! I took these fotos and immediately called Alison, so excited I could barely be understood...in fact, I think she asked me to repeat myself about 3 times at least! I really enjoyed the results of this snow-stuck day. And I hope Alison enjoyed them just as much, too.

In the green of morning...

As my followers well know, I have been attempting to capture, however fleetingly, the beauty of hummingbirds...I finally feel that I have succeeded. After purchasing my newest lens, an AF Nikkor 50mm 1.8 (thanks to an endorsement from my friend Amanda), I spent most of today learning how to best use its talents. I am so happy with the Fotos I captured and wanted to showcase them to you. We have 9 hummingbird feeders hanging off the front porch where we can spend hours watching their dogfights and fun. They are so fascinating! After you sit outside for a few minutes, the hummingbirds become accustomed to your presence and then they begin to show off. I have had a hummingbird hover directly in front of me, chattering away and evincing his displeasure at the missing feeders that we were cleaning to refill at the time. Each year, we have between 50-75 hummingbirds migrate back to our front yard. Generation after generation...bringing the new generation with them as they return. The gentleman who previously owned the house told us that he has had hummingbird feeders hanging in the same spots for the previous 30 years...I guess that's why they know to come back now that we are the owners hanging them! So, this country morning, I was able to indulge my need for a Foto-Fix...which I have been sadly lacking the past 2 weeks due to a crushing work schedule. Fotoing enables me to relax and enjoy the beauty that God surrounds us with each day. I'm glad I took these moments to Foto-tize our hummingbirds since sometimes it feels like we are running around just as fast as the hummingbirds' wings are fluttering. Take your moments when you can...they will save your heart and life.