Quackin' Up!

I had a fun photo shoot last week shooting mallards!  Done in two sessions on two different days, but taken at the same time each day-- there's quite a difference between them.  The first session, a dim and cloudy day; the second, a bright and sunny one.  Yesterday's post (previous to this one) was from the second session, so the color and clarity is more vibrant, with a 'real feel' to it; as opposed to this post which contains images from the first session, and they needed a bit more editing.  I found it tricky from a technical standpoint to get the images how I saw them.  Between the white of the snow, the muted color from the males' green head feathers (only in the sunlight do you get that irridescent shine!), their location in the pond vs. around it, etc., there were a lot of elements to deal with!  Not to mention, the society of ducks is intersting to watch.  They're a social group and a lot of their actions happen with split-second timing, so there's a lot missed with a camera.  Although a very vocal group, most of their antics and behaviors are seen through their body language.  That's what I'd like to share.  

Follow this with yesterday's post (even though many of you might have seen that one first of the second session (following me?)  I know....  it's bass ackwards... and you're probably quackin' up right alongside me!)

I like the softer images of the ducks at the water's edge.

I found this guy camped out in the snow.  I think he found me at the same time!

And this one seem comfortable in it's nest of snow.

                                                                                      "See ya!"

Mallards

I've been recently captivated by mallards, aiming to photograph them in the snow.  I succeeded in attaining a few shots, and while doing so, also caught a few images of them swimming in a pond.  To my great surprise, I found upon editing the 'water ones' that the water's reflections were just as stunning to me as the subject at hand!  I've included in this posting, several of the images from my recent photo shoot--particularly to share with you as you scroll down, the watery background as well as for the waterfowl themselves. 

(And Bill, of course I had you in mind with these!)

More Winter Blues

The Brilliance of Winter

One of my favorite things about winter, particularly when snow is on the ground, is how the sunlight affects the surroundings.  Yesterday's sunrise cast a rosy glow throughout the sky before reaching the ground.

Higher up in the sky, the sun beams, upon reaching the snowy ground, create refracting light on single ice crystals.  I wasn't sure if my camera could capture the brilliance and the array of colors that I saw with the naked eye, and I was happy when I indeed saw the sparkling diamonds in the snow in the following images.

I love the playful shadows the sun creates, as well as the ability to highlight a single berry against the snow or mushrooms growing on the bark of a tree.

And on a much larger scale, you can clearly see in the two scenic pictures below, the difference the sun makes when it's visible -- and when it's hidden behind a layer of clouds.

     (The above two photos are dedicated to a very special friend who, like me, is able to witness firsthand,
                       the varied and seasonable changes of that scene as they regularly occur!)

Azure

                              The azure sky caught my attention on two different occasions recently.

A Snowy, Wooded Winter Walk

                                                                            
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Several more inches of snow fell yesterday, and while the snow tapered off to light flurries, we went for a walk along a big, flat brook that winded itself through woods.  Expecting the river to be my focal point, I was pleasantly surprised when the pines became the showstopper of the day!  As the light snow tickled my face, snowy evergreen branches seemed to pop out of the scenery, beckoning for a closer look:

                             And then clusters of trees became appealing in their varied colors. 
                     The snow added depth not just on the ground, but amidst the trees themselves.

                                          The river was approached from much higher ground,
                        allowing through the trees, a vantage point of seeing it winding through the woods.
                                         Protruding rocks, white with snow, dotted the river.

                                               Standing as close as I could get to the water's edge, 
                                          I found this spot to be the most serene place along the river.
                                      Here, I soaked in the quiet, peaceful beauty I found on this wintery day.

We made our way back uphill as we headed back to our vehicle, pausing now and again to photograph the tall, majestic mature pines that lined the road which we now walked.  Suddenly, breaking the silence of the woods from the mufflling blanket of snow, I heard repetetive sounds coming from a nearby pine.  They were the sounds of a hooting owl.  It brought me so much delight, I could have stayed in this spot forever just listening to it!  The deep, lonesome hoots accompanied us for the remainder of our walk.  (And oh, how I would have loved to seen the owl!  But becoming aware of it through another sense was indeed enough for me--and a precious gift at that!) 

These pines, dressed with plain, white snow, could rival any of the most ornately-decorated Christmas tree I've seen in the past few weeks!

           And finally, just before getting back into the vehicle, I looked ahead and saw this row of trees.

                                                                              
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The Dawning of a New Year

   


      The moon and nearby star caught my eye early in the morning on New Year's Day--January 1, 2011.
     From our own backyard, I followed the progression while watching the Dawning of a New Year unfold.
         May this new year bring you peace, joy, beauty and wonder, with the dawn of each passing day!

And whatever mountains stand in your way on the roads you travel, may the challenges be rewarding, fruitful experiences when passing around or above them, and be met with clear, blue skies when you come out on the other side, stronger and more fulfilled.