Flowers again!

The beauty in our gardens is overwhelming at times - where do I start and when do I stop?  Here's a couple  from an area that always intrigues me.

Clematis just beginning to show itself.

Iris in the evening sun.

Two Views

With the sunshine and heat, the roses have exploded.  There are so many that it is difficult to keep up with the trimming that must occur to get even more!

Flowers can be presented in as many ways as people see them - here's a couple different views from my vision. Some have a dreaminess about them that is incredibly captivating; others explode with life and color vividly!

A First (for me).

I led a class in Photographic Expression today, as part of a program that the local Audubon group and Hawkwatch.org sponsored.  We had about 8 folks in the class, did about an hour and 15 discussion focussed mostly on thinking about taking photos as a means to tell a story.
We then adjourned to a park about a block away and Jen Hajj of Hawkwatch brought a Red-tailed hawk and a Kestrel for us to photograph (both have one bad wing.).  After that we reconvened and looked at some of the photos that members of the group had taken.  All in all, it was a good class.

Here's a few of my photos from the park:

More Antelope Island and Big Sky

Here's a few more shots from our Antelope Island trip last Sunday.  I see the world in vivid colors and worked with these big sky photos to bring that out.  We all see things differently - how do you see the world?
The birds were a true giggle!  The sandhill crane adults threw back their heads and let out that ancient, bloodcurdling cry as we watched them.  We really felt honored to see them.  And so many folks just drive by and never see or even look :-(

Watching us!

Murphy and Brodie came out to Antelope Island with Lisa and I; Murphy is used to traveling with me and mostly lays down and sleeps until the truck does something (slow down, etc) that he takes as a signal that something is going to happen.
Here he is, giving us the 'What's up?' eye as I believe we woke him up from a nap!

Father's Day

Happy Father's Day to all you who are or act as Fathers!
For Fathers day, Lisa took me out to Antelope Island - despite heavy rain in Salt Lake the island was dry for our visit. We got to walk around, take in the spacious land and sky and had a good visit together.  We saw 17+ different species of birds, of which I will post a few shots during the week.
The most impactful part of being there, for me, (other than getting to spend time with Lisa), was the big sky view..  Or should I say BIG SKY views.  Here's a couple from the day - the clouds were very dark around us at times and the sun shone through also.  A very magical time and something one can only experience in wide open spaces like this. Add to it the scent of sage, the melodic call of the meadowlark and a breeze that clears out all extraneous stuff - and you can see why it is magical.  A photo cannot truly capture all of that, but we can try to bring you along with us!  See if it does.

Reminder to always carry camera

I was stopped in traffic waiting for the light to change at the exit off 201 for 3200 west.  I watched the kestrel hover and reached for my camera. He then dropped like a rock into the grass, then rose and flew off with the mouse in his grasp.  This is a composite of 4 shots - with a little grain applied.
Just when I think nothing will show up along comes something like this!  Carry your camera!