Round Robin Challenge: Birds

From For Ellipsis

"The kiss of sun for pardon, the song of birds for mirth. One is nearer to God's heart in a garden, than anywhere else on earth."

-Dorothy Frances

RRC: Birds
Suggested by Robinella, author of the blog, Robinella's

As I mentioned in a previous entry, I went for a long walk in Tilden Park this past week. It was too beautiful for words. The weather was nice and mild, and the fog burned off that morning to a gentle late summer sun. Some summers can be so harsh, but not this one. There were only a handful of true summer days this year. Anyway, on that day, there were a ton of birds to photograph, among the newly turning leaves, but I set my sights on this pretty little hummingbird. I spotted it while walking through the Botanic Garden, and finally caught a good shot of it, as it paused atop a tree that was growing just below a tiny bridge I was walking on. I was wanting to get a different angle on the bird, and with a little patience it paid off. I would have liked to have had it a little more centered, but I was pleased that I was able to capture him at all. My arthritic shoulder was protesting loudly, but being out with the camera meant more to me then the pain. I was feeling inspired for the first time in several months. Ahhh... creativity in the midst of the doldrums! All in all, I think it was worth it!

From For Ellipsis

Red-Winged Black Bird, Legion of Honor, San Francisco (August 9th 2009)

Ok, that's it for me, now follow the links below to see what the other Robins have for us this time around. And be sure to come by the official Round Robin blog tomorrow to find out what our next challenge will be!

Linking List (WELCOME NEW MEMBERS)

Robinella... Robinella's
(Private Blog)

Carly... Ellipsis
Posted!!

Betty... A Corgi in Southern California
Posted!

Karen... Outpost Mavarin
Posted!

Steve... Gone Batty Photo
Posted!

Linda... Mommy's Treasures
Posted!

Ellen B... The Happy Wonderer
Posted!

Monica... Shutterly Happy
Posted!

Molly Mavis... Visual Dialogues
Posted!

Meg... In Quest Of Freedom
Posted! 08/23/09

Jama... Sweet Memories
Posted!

Suzanne R... SuzyQ421's Photo Blog
Posted!

Margaret... Facts From A Fact Woman
Posted!

Rita... Cashjocky and the Old Salt
Posted!

Fhaye... Photodito
Posted!

Vicki... Maraca
Posted!

Gattina... Keyhole Pictures
Posted!

Peggy...Holmespun Fun Memes and Themes
Posted!

Betty... A Glimpse Into Midlife
Posted!

Maria... Everything Is Green
Posted!

Ruth... Scrabble Queen
Posted!

Thanks Robinella, this was fun!

:)
-Carly

Future Focus

"Have you ever observed a hummingbird moving in an aerial dance among the flowers... a living prismatic gem... it is a creature of such fairy-like loveliness as to mock all description."

-W. H. Hudson, Green Mansions

I got extremely lucky with this shot, this birdie was not at all interested in posing for me. LOL. I was sitting in my car, at the San Leandro Marina, just enjoying the heck out of a A&W Papa burger, and watching airplanes land at the nearby, Oakland Airport, when this little guy came by. :) This was the best shot out of about 10 or so that I took. I think it came out well, the sun was in a good spot to illuminate the colors of the hummingbird very nicely. I like photographing hummingbirds, they are a challenge to be sure. I should try to get back to the marina soon, lots and lots of critters moving about, plus the added fun of the airport runway which is very close to the far edge of the marina. Planes coming in from the east are really low... yikes... but it gives me a chance to work on my slight fear of them.

I decided to take an online class that was offered to me by the Disney Family Learning Center. It will focus on portrait photography. It is a very basic course, but every little bit helps. I am still considering taking a class in digital photography at Chabot College. They are offering the classes every quarter, it's just been a matter of getting my energy level back up and running to a high enough level to take on a class. Working on that this weekend, as I am using my time to get the last touches of the garden put into place.

I placed the roses and the others planters of cosmos, stock, butterfly flowers, poppies, and four-o-clocks where I want them. Alan helped me plant the assorted sunflowers against the back of the fence, so all that is left is to put a couple windsocks up, and it will pretty much be done. Now it's all up to the flowers to make their appearance before the end of the summer. I hope I did ok, I saw a huge black and yellow swallowtail flying hurriedly in and out of the yard today, I wish she could have stopped for a visit. I am hoping the new flowers will encourage them to come by for a visit... and then stay. :) That would make the autumn perfect!

-OndineMonet
"Hummingbird"
San Leandro Marina
San Leandro, California
June 23, 2007
Afternoon

On A Wednesday

"Hope is the thing with feathers, that perches in the soul, and sings the tune without the words, and never stops at all."

-Emily Dickenson

It was an absolutely gorgeous day yesterday. After my appointment with Sarah, I took a drive in the hills to enjoy the view. It was extremely clear, so looking across the bay into San Francisco, was an enjoyable experience. No smog. No overcast skies, and while the sun was really bright, the air up here was still and had just enough of a chill to be really comfortable. I should have grabbed a burger, and a lemonade downtown, and brought it up here on my drive. Car picnics are fun. Alan and I have some gardening chores on the "to do" list for the next couple days, but maybe next week I will do some more photography in the hills near home. Yesterday was a perfect June day, one of those days when hope is everywhere, and I am sure there will be more days like this to come. :)

It's A Beautiful Morning
By The Rascals

It's a beautiful morning ahh
I think I'll go outside for a while
And just smile
Just take in some clean fresh air
Ain't no sense in stayin' inside
If the weathers fine and you got the time
It's your chance to wake up and plan another day
Brand new day
Either way

It's a beautiful morning
Each bird keeps singin' his own song
So long
I've got to be on my way now
Ain't no fun just hangin' around
I've got to cover ground couldn't keep me down
It just ain't no good if the sun shines
When you're still inside
Shouldn't hide still inside, shouldn't hid
Ahhh oh shouldn't hide ah ah ah oh

There will be children with robins and flowers
Sunshine caresses each new breaking hour
Seems to me that the people keep seeing
More and more each day, gotta say, lead the way
It's okay Wednesday, Thursday it's ok
Ahhh Monday, Wednesday, Friday weekday ah ah ah ohhh


-OndineMonet
"The View From Here"
Berkeley Hills looking toward San Francisco
June 6th, 2007
Early Afternoon