Once again, it was pretty much all about the male Calypte anna hummingbird known as "Dusty". He helped me out immensely today considering picture taking took place from 8:19 to 8:51 AM and the lighting was absolutely miserable. When I first arrived at my local botanical garden I couldn't find him and when I did he was so busy chasing other hummingbirds I wasn't afforded a moment to focus. So, I looked for something else...
Yes, the sun was bright but the moon was out too.
Sure, the cottontail found a spot of shade but the sun was blazing in my face.
Even with the sun to my back so I could see in front of me, subjects were brightly lit. This female Selasphorus sasin only sat still for a moment.
I sat on a bench under the shade of the giant Eucalyptus lunata tree and pondered with Docken on the phone, wondering if I'd find anything photo worthy before the impending heat of the day would make me want to leave. I decided to check on Dusty one more time thinking, maybe he'll camp out inside the shade in the pistache tree long enough for me to get a shot or two off. As it turned out he did me a much better favor by landing high inside a grape arbor as if to say, "I'm ready for my close-up, Mr. Peterson." Not only did he sit patiently, he let me walk a semi-circle around him so I could get some variation in the lighting.
I took the car to the top of the hill and then out to the western edge of the campus but much of the property was fenced off for construction (considerably more than last week) so walking around simply wasn't gonna happen. I searched the skies from the hillside looking for something flying my way but no such luck and decided to return home. Taking a break from composing this post and while lunch was cooking I went into the backyard to water. Last week I had to drop the hose, turn off the water and head inside for my camera because a Gulf fritillary came swooping onto Tithonia rotundifolia flowers, today it was a giant swallowtail (Papilio cresphontes). These flowers are so much fun.
That's all, folks. Thanks for stopping by.
Yep. Lots of "stunning" goin' on. Dusty has never been seen in a prettier light. Your butterfly laden sunflowers are absolutely beautiful. I like the "moon over airliner" shot, too. If I was on that flight I'd want a copy. Gorgeousness all over the place. And you're having fun. That's the best part.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful pics especially the butterflies and flowers! And Dusty never disappoints . We take so much beauty in the world for granted and don’t stop to enjoy it. Well , you do and I’m glad you do! Anonymous Trey
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