Bloomers

The astrantia in my garden is blooming. At least the deer and vermin leave it alone... I love the way the veining shows up when the buds first open up. They almost look like paper flowers.
The pink variety is just as pretty.

I saw this beauty at the nursery. It sobbed to come home with me, but I knew the deer or elk would eat it in a heartbeat, so resisted all its blandishments and contented myself with some photos. But oh, I was tempted!! The colors and the the sheer lushness of the petals...

The way the light fell on these osteospermum just made me happy--it was like all the light was being gathered into the centers, and then being beamed back out again.

Macro drops

Since I've been sick it's harder for me to do my macro shots; I find myself needing to use my point and shoot rather than the Big Gun because I am too shaky. But, at least the trusty old P&S gives me some good results and satisfies the urge!! I just can't stay away from waterdrops!!

Bonus! I love it when I can get a sun flare as well! It makes those drops look like jewels.

Doing the Zoo

ML and I went over to the zoo Friday to celebrate the nice weather and the fact that we're both doing better. Silly us to have forgotten the End-of-the-School-Year-Field-Trips! TWELVE bus loads of wild life let loose into the zoo.... It was not the quiet, restful visit to the zoo that we had anticipated. We ended up skipping several exhibits and leaving earlier than planned, but still had a great time and saw some of our favorites. I was thrilled to be able to walk and get around; still a little shaky and slow, but light-years better than where I was and definitely on the mend!

This guy is my absolute favorite. Shooting through glass, so it is hard to be crsip and clear, but I love the litte lop-sided "smile" I got.
I like the bears--from a safe distance. They are awesomely scary.

The eagles have a large enclosure; I wish that the fencing didn't show, but I didn't want to Photoshop it all out, either...

A spectacled owl. I just love this little guy.

A peregrine falcon. Even sitting still he looks fast.

One of the gorilla troop. Again, shooting through glass.

It always amazes me how sinuous a giraffe's neck is--

And speaking of sinuous necks, the flamingo exhibit is nice. I don't know why I was expecting masses of flamingoes like they have in San Diego, but will settle for a few.

These two were NOT getting along at all!