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!

Natural Remedies

"I go to nature to be soothed and healed, and to have my senses put in order." John Burroughs


After 3 1/2 weeks of being down flat, I am finally feeling better. Still no concrete diagnosis; lots of "Well, it isn't this..." but no defiinite What-It-Is. I think the not knowing is the most difficult--that, and not being able to get up and go and do. This enforced inactivity is driving me nuts. But, at least I can get up and walk now, and sit and lay down without being in such pain that I have to move. (Cheers for Prednisone!) I look forward to being able to hike again, or at least walk farther than 100yds without being exhausted. Being able to be outside will do wonders for that!

So, R and I went out to Rattlesnake earlier this week to take advantage of the beautiful weather we've been blessed with lately. Clear skies, sunshine, warm weather, osprey overhead, the sound of the water on the rocky shore--all of this is bliss to me and better than any medication. It heals and soothes my soul, and helps me get centered.

Acrobatics

One of the squirrels discovered the bird feeders, and decided to help himself. Who needs TV when you get to be entertained by stuff like this? Almost as funny as when R used WD40 on the pole and the squirrel slid down it like a fireman!!

"Hmmmm--look at all those sunflower seeds! All I have to do is scoot down this pole...

...and stretch across to the feeder like this. But I know I can get more if I can just get ON the feeder."

"Oh! Wait!! How did that happen? That's not what I planned!"

"Hey! This thing won't hold still. All I have to do is get my feet up there on that edge..."

"Hmmm, that didn't work quite the way I thought it would..."

"No better from this angle either..."

"Aw, nuts! I've spilled all the good stuff--I'm off of this merry-g-round!"

Humming

We hung a hummingbird feeder off the deck, and have been getting quite a bit of traffic! All these were taken with my P&S--I need to set the Big Gun up on the tripod and leave it aimed at the feeder for when business picks up.

This is a Rufous hummingbird. They are one of the smallest birds in Washington, and it takes 5 of them to equal the weight of 1 chickadee.

This irridescent little dazzler is a female Anna's hummingbird. I am hoping to see a male at the feeder since they have amazing red heads and throats.

He's up and out!!

Yesterday it was nice enough to be outside--and without a jacket! It was beyond wonderful to see Rick dressed in his jeans, and a shirt, and that they are fitting so much better. I am so grateful that he is recuperating, getting stronger, and doing so much better!! Now that spring is getting here, we will be able to start walking and working on his endurance. David's dog Roma is a great companion...

This Tuesday was the craziest day weather-wise! I woke up to this:

and this....and this...

Then it started to clear up and warm up. Had a great view of the snow-covered "wart" on Mt. Si.

By early evening it had warmed enough, and melted enough, that we had a great layer of fog. I love how the woods look when they are enveloped by the fog.

To cap it off, we had the most glorious sunset!! The fog caught the color and intensified it; it was almost a pearlescent glow. It was stunning.

Spring at the Depot

The warm weather we had a couple of days this week was enough to pop the blossoms at the depot. I really like the contrast against the newly painted depot; so much better than the old white paint.
I used the Orton technique on it; I like the way it intensifies the color and gives the image a painterly, impressionistic look.

Macro catch-up

We've had unsettled weather still--frosty mornings, snow that melts by night, lots of rain, but very little sun. Sunbreaks are about all we have had, and not nearly enough of those. But, here are a few from the last couple of weeks, taken in a variety of weather. Thanks goodness for nurseries that have blooming flowers!

But this is a bouquet on the kitchen table--something to brighten up the gloominess of a grey day.