Most Commented Photography Blogs (166)

According to NASA, the Lyrids are one of the oldest meteor showers. They typically peak during late April. Best seen in the Northern Hemisphere after the moon sets and before dawn.
The shower was most active Sunday night through Monday morning and I was out a 2am checking, but I'm in the city and the streetlights made it impossible to view the night sky.

April's full moon, known as the "pink moon," will crest at its full phase Tuesday at 4:49 p.m. Pacific.

I was able to zoom in on the moon from the parking lot. Not a clear shot, but something I couldn't photograph at all with my previous phone/camera.




Lyrid meteor showers...

What a fantastic morning! Finally, we see some sun again. Getting up at 5:30 am to take advantage of the cool morning air, I headed out on my bike ride around the perimeter of the town, along the river.

It took me four hours to ride today, due to the many, many stops I made, the early morning light and shadows making everything so much more appealing. I'd barely started when some flowers amongst the blackberry brambles caught my attention, dew drops glistening in the dawn light.

I have no idea what the wildflowers are, definitely not part of the blackberry vines, growing on thick stalks in the middle of the thorny jungle. Several photos later and a 'good morning' to another early riser, I headed for the dike.

I noted that sun rays highlighted a grove of trees at the base of the mountain, and just as I changed lenses to take the shot, the sun breached the mountain top, flooding the area with luminescence. Standing in the shadow of a tree, long shadowy fingers stretched across the corn fields, their top leaves like thousands of spikes piercing the sky.

Cycling past the little old house that looked like it had sustained a fire in the back, with windows and doors boarded up, I'd been tempted to take a photo for our photo club's abandoned buildings subject. Too late! A huge caterpillar was already there, on top of a pile of debris which at one time would have been part of the house.

A slough on the other side of the road is home to a myriad of animals and birds. One particular dead tree, surrounded with brambles seems to attract a plethora of birds. I'd always vowed that one day I'd just sit by the tree and wait for the birds. Well, today was that day!

I had a hoodie in my panniers, and used that to sit on, while I waited for the birds to get used to my presence and frequent the tree. I was richly rewarded this morning, and saw all kinds of birds, many that I couldn't tell you what they are. The redwing blackbird was elusive as usual, however, I do believe I got a great shot of it as it puffed up both wings and screeched. A tiny hummingbird hovered right near me before landing on the tree. Unfortunately, a truck zoomed by and disturbed them, and the hummer was gone.

Around the country roads where blue chicory lines the asphalt, interspersed with yellow mustard, white, lacy Queen Anne's lace, deep yellow buttercups, and bright yellow dandelions. Barbed wire fencing separates the road shoulder from the large expanses of field, the early morning light turning it into an appealing photo.

I sat amongst the chicory and Queen Anne's lace for quite some time, photographing bees and the flowers. Further down the road, a red ladybug contrasted sharply with her green background.

Taking the path through the tunnel of foliage, I have to take my clippers again the next time to cut back the blackberry vines that choke the trail, grasping at clothing. Past another slough, I surprised a blue heron near the road in the slough, and a duck with her ducklings. I managed to get some of the ducklings, and one of the heron, although I have lots of photos of herons.

From there, it was pretty much head home, as I realized how much time I'd spent, the day was getting warmer, and I was needing a beverage of some kind. I did have water with me, but hadn't partaken of it - I probably should have.

Although I haven't checked my photos yet, I know I have some in there that I'll be really pleased with. I'm sure there'll be some kind souls that will let me know what some of the flowers and birds are. I'm certainly enjoying my camera, not just for it's photographic ability, but also because it's such a teaching tool!

You learn something new every day!

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I just uploaded 41 nature photos to my Flickr website;
all taken last month.

You can see them all and their descriptions there, as well as many more.

For those of you who are terrified to wander off of Connectingsingles,
I added 7 of the 41 below for your viewing pleasure here.
On Flickr I was able to rotate the photos correctly, but on imgbb it seems that I am unable to do that.
So the one below of the Redtail Hawk perched is sideways.
It's upright on the Flickr site.















Which is your favorite of the 7 ?
Which is your favorite of the 41 ?

Have a terrific Tuesday.

Don't make a move !

What is that you have in the baggie ?

Don't lie to me !

That's a turkey on whole wheat, isn't it ?!?!?
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---- IMAGE REMOVED because photobucket.com no longer allows embedded images ----

Or suggest your own photo caption for the following photo.

Have fun.

My favorite type of photography is wild animals.
It can be very challenging to get close enough with the right light angle,
with the exact camera setting to best display their subtle colors and patterns,
and to also get them to be comfortable enough to get them in normal behavior, ignoring me.
I find it quite challenging and that's part of the reason I enjoy it most, as well as
being as one with nature.

But, I've done lots of different types of photography.
Indeed, weddings, real estate, and other types of photography are a lot easier
and pay more too. Thus, I do that sort of thing also.
Indeed, I will be doing some weddings again this summer.

Of course, I can't show you photos of people that I have photographed
without them signing a release form.
Otherwise one opens themself up to possible litigation.

But, there's no problem in that regard with wild animals nor
inanimate objects. They generally don't have attorneys willing to take a photographer to court.

I remember many decades ago one winter going around my neighborhood at the time
and photographing the holiday lights put on front lawns or roofs.
They came out alright and I guess it was somewhat fun at the time.

A couple of weeks ago I got the idea to again photograph holiday lights, but in a totally different way.
What I did is to set the shutter speed to be long 1/2 second to 2 seconds and have the background dark.
Then, I simply moved the lens, so that the lights became trails over the time set,
I tried several different lens motions. Here are 5 of those photos.
Let me know if you like any. I plan on using them for something else.
More on that another day.

I have collected a few paranormal photos during my work .
Captured via smartphone during paranormal investigation & ritual, unedited.Here are a few that are not confidential.
Ghost of an old man. Demons. They tried smashing my head. During a curse removal ritual. Jinn/ GenieEmbracing fairy couple.

It's so funny to see his sleeping postures like this, he even climbed up again to his bed in the middle of his sleep and continued his dreams...




We have a hot summer days...

Wish we have a safe, happy summer.

What better way to start the day than with a bike ride in the early morning hours? I love being out and about while people are still sleeping. It's so quiet and peaceful, the only sounds those of nature. Travelling east, my first stop is the tulip lady's house, her beautiful Japanese plum tree in full pink bloom.


Continuing on my journey, the scent of freshly mown hay wafts on the soft breeze, long lines of cuttings damp with dew, left to dry in the sun, Mt. Cheam towering over the valley.


Cycling south, the pavement comes to an abrupt end up over an incline, a gravel road taking it's place. Blueberry fields stretch to the west, a robin perching on a numbered post indicating the row. Two old rubber boots are upside down over a couple of posts, an indication of something to the owner.


An occasional house and riotous vegetation hide the slough to the east. An abandoned house, broken windows with plywood coverings and sagging doors in a state of disrepair, blackberry bushes almost to the height of the second floor, is the last house.

Just past a barrier of tall alders and poplars, an large field is home to hydro towers. At this early hour, as the sun starts to peek above the mountains, even the towers take on a certain beauty, metal girders glowing as they reflect the first fingers of light.


Continuing on my journey, the gravel road continues towards the bridge and the old ferry landing. Wild cherry trees intermingle with other deciduous trees, their white blossoms contrasting with the new growth of spring leaves.


Of course, my penchant for macro photos had me paused there for quite some time taking the 'perfect' shot of shadow and light on the milky, fragrant blossoms. A challenge, as this close to the river, the wind is always a little stronger. Of course, gusts of wind play games with one's attempt at macro photography. I believe I did manage to 'win' this contest, though. lol.


Stopping at the bridge and the former road to the ferry landing, solar rays danced light across the river, breaking through the clouds behind the indomitable Mt. Cheam. Too many clouds for a colourful sunrise, the shadowed scene filled me with a sense of wonder and peace.


Riding under the bridge, the riverside bench greeted me. I can just visualize people sitting there, watching the former ferry traverse the river and dock on either side. Perhaps watching the pleasure boats in the summer, large plumes of water arcing behind sharp turns, waves slapping the shore from their wake.


Through a narrow path and vegetation that threatens to take over along the riverfront, the path opens up to a gravel lane, blueberry fields bordering both sides. Dodging potholes and mud, asphalt greets me at the first massive domicile, following the path of the slough. A heritage home sits at one corner, it's multi coloured orange tulips with sculpted petals beckoning me to photograph it's allure.


The owner of the home was out walking, a rosary in her right hand, greeting me with cheery hello. We discussed the height of the slough, already high with spring runoff, and the resident beaver she hadn't seen in awhile. I mentioned that I'd seen one there the evening before but it was too fast and too dark for me to take a photo.

...continued....