Photographic Impressionistic Illusionistic
Photography Without Rules
Instinctual Assertion/Relenting
Watching the smallest of assembled life
There is an appearance of flit and random movement
There is a hierarchy
As loathsome it may be
It cannot be denied
The least tests safety
Immersed in the bounty
Once confirmed
The larger approaches
And with that simple movement
One larger sphere forces the other out of the way
It is a learned force
One of “rebel and suffer the consequences”
Cute little birds, mid-sized birds, and the big ones all know the drill.
Butterflies do not live to ninety-five
Nor do they fly at ninety-five (mph)
But the day was ninety-five (degrees Fahrenheit)
And this poor little cabbage white needed five minutes rest in the shade in our driveway.
Rest my heterochromatic friend!
In other old news: Phacelia cicutaria. May 2023
So Long:
Sun and moon conversed
Each traversed
Now roles’ reversed
All was well
Although moon was a bit embarrassed
For “getting in the way”
Cover Photo: Short Story – Full Sun and 70% Coverage
On another note from May: Chaparral Mallow (Why is it so difficult to remember “one p – two r’s in chaparral?”) Always get those mixed up.
The lovely thing about flowers, unlike the sun, is that you can look right at them without eye protection.
Coop
Made a stoop
And I don’t mean swoop
While standin’ on a fence
Rabbits quivered and tense
Just don’t make sense
Still scratchin’ my head on this one. Pulled into the driveway and this Cooper’s hawk is sittin’ on the fence just as pretty as can be.
A little dinner-sized rabbit hopped on by, and not a budge. A few yards away, a small covey of quail were well within striking range. But nope, barely a notice. Must have just eaten I guess.
Attractive
Opulent
Irresistible
Cover Photo: Rufous Hummingbird
August is dust in the wind and September has started with temperate weather. Tropical storm Hilary brought some rain and the red cape honeysuckle responded with red-orange blooms. This did not go unnoticed by the local hummingbirds and it quickly turned into territorial disputes between the little sprites.
Recently, while watering the orchard, a little Anna’s hummingbird swept in to cool off in the hose-spray. It was in excess of one-hundred degrees so the little one needed some relief. I didn’t move the spray for over thirty seconds while it bathed and drank. What a rush. I take my phone with me now in case it happens again.
Static bird photography can be very boring, but with the golden hour back-lighting, I could not resist. One of my favorite botanicals, buckwheat is in its summer splendor right now as well.
August also brought some lovely butterflies. Swallowtail were abundant and the heat seemed to make them a bit slow (which was great). This “painted lady” species visited our flowers a couple of weeks back.
In Flight
Finally, the quail are still coming around! There are 3-4 coveys that pass through. We have put out water for them for the hottest days and they use it every day. These shots were made through kitchen window double pane glass so, they’re soft and green. First one shows a hen sharing water with her many chicks (some off to the sides on the ground). The second shows one of the chicks getting into the buckwheat.
