Bird – and “Squirrelybirds”

Finally it was a crystal clear day today! It was a bit cooler, so the alligator didn’t appear, but the birds were active on our feeders, as well as inside the Camellia bush that serves as a “staging area” for them before and after they land on the feeders. I try to take photos of the birds when I’m outside, but they’re “onto” me – and hide. I don’t much like taking photos through the glass of the sliding glass door, but sometimes my best shot of birds come that way. Even then they are skittish of me even there, but less so.

Today’s photo is a House finch. check out the head of another finch further inside the bush:

365 photo #28

And, today we have two bonus photos – both taken on other days. There was a request for my squirrel photo from yesterday, so here it is, in addition to another taken a few days ago. I call them “squirrelybirds” because I suspect they wish they were birds so they would be more welcome on the feeders! They are cute, but would eat me out of seed if I let them! As always, click any photo to see it larger on my flickr site.

1. Squirrel photo taken yesterday on the patio as he surveys the seed that has fallen from the feeders.
2. Squirrel – peeking from behind the tree, as he comes down the tree.

A Gator! A Palmetto!

First of all, I have to apologize for anyone who might have wanted to comment on my last entry. I don’t remember doing it, but the ability to comment was turned off, and I didn’t realize it until this morning. I have returned that entry to allow comments if anyone would like to do so now.

I’m behind a day on my 365 photo posting, so here goes.

Yesterday it was amazingly warm for January, and it brought the alligators back into view.

365 photo #26

I’m not sure what they do in the colder weather of January and February, but when we get unseasonably warm weather, they appear for those days. This gator was seen lying on the sunny bank off to the side – and then swimming in the water, which is when I photographed him. It’s not a stellar photograph, as it was taken quite a distance with my full zoom (400 mm) in use. I hope to get a better one as the weather gets warmer. It is then that they sometimes take to lying on the bank right in front of our house, which tends to be a bit more shady. In cooler weather they prefer more sunny southwestern exposure banks of our lagoon. Of course when they’re this “up close”, it requires that I take good care to be at a safe distance, but I am also able to get a more close up photo with my 100-400 lens.

I have learned a few things about gators. They can run amazingly fast for short distances, especially when after prey, but only in a straight line, so one’s best bet is to be along side of them, but never in front. Run “zig zag” if you sense you’re in danger. However, basically alligators do not bother humans, unless harassed or they’re very hungry. In fact, I think they are scared of us, as I’ve seen them see me, and turn the other way when in the water. I’ve seen them scoot off the bank when they sensed I was around – and from quite a distance, I might add. It’s still best to take all precautions and to treat them with respect that a dangerous creature deserves!

Today I have a variety of photos to choose from: a crow, a squirrel, and a pretty photo of a palmetto bush with the sunlight streaming through it, kind of like a stained glass window. I love palmetto’s for that reason, and am drawn to taking pictures of them. So, today’s photo will be the Palmetto leaves:

365 photo #27

However, today I can’t resist posting a “bonus photo”. Crows are annoying. They are bullies to other birds and are loud. They eat the worst trash, and love dumpsters. They torment the ospreys, especially when they are nesting, as osprey eggs make a tasty snack for the crow.  I don’t often take photos of them, maybe because they are “always there”. Sadly – I think we contributed to the resident population of the crows when, back in 2006, we built an addition onto our house. The dumpster drew them close. Then, following ours, other houses have done renovations – so the dumpsters continue to keep them nearby.  Yet — they really can be pretty – as this photo shows:

Bonus photo: crow in our neighbor’s back yard

A Harbinger of Spring!

Yesterday’s 365 picture is another shot of a Sego Palm branch out in front of our house. I find them so much fun to photograph! I love the texture, bokeh, and the different tones of green:

365 Photo #24

Today’s photo shows me that spring is truly on it’s way. Daffodils are a small reminder that winter will not last forever, contrary to how cold the weather may be at the time the first shoots appear. They are hardy flowers but their blooms are sweet! This year I missed photographing the little shoots when they first broke through the ground, but they haven’t been up for long. They are earlier this year than last, but last year was much colder.

365 Photo #25

Please Don’t Let the Cat Out!

It’s been another warm, humid cloudy, day — for January, anyway. I didn’t have much desire to hang out outside, or even take photos. But – I’m taking this 365 project seriously, and needed a photo. There’s stuff inside this house to photograph, lots of which have a story or thoughts behind it. In fact – as I look around this room where I type, I see that almost everything elicits feelings or memories of some kind. Many potential photographs are everywhere!

This sign lives on the inside of our front door. We do not allow our cats to go outside – especially here in Hilton Head – because alligators live in the lagoon out back, and I don’t want my cats to be a tasty snack for them. I also don’t want my kitties going after my songbirds. I love them both, so they must stay separated. I worry about them getting outside by a visitor or contractor who comes to work in the house. Many people don’t feel the same about cats as we do, thinking they are meant to be outside pets, and will let them out, thinking they are doing nothing wrong. So … when we were at a craft fair a few years ago, we found these signs for sale at one of the booths. It seemed like a cute way of letting our visitors know to be careful with an open door in case there was a cat nearby ready to scoot outside! Not sure it always works, because contractors, in particular, are single minded to their task. Sometimes they simply leave the door open, and are blind to seeing hanging signs or cats who might get out. We still have to be watchful of our own kitties.

365 photo #23

A pretty way to find my pens, pencils and scissors!

Today’s photo is mundane, which shows how routine today was. However that is the point of the 365 project – - to show the “snapshot of my days”, some of which will be mundane! It’s Sunday, and there was church this morning, but it’s been cloudy and raw, so my photo was taken inside. My photo defines the day, as I spent lots of time at my desk where this pretty black kitty mug lives. I’ve made it into a pencil (pen and scissor) holder.

365 photo #22