Gardens, flowers, birds

 I'm really enjoying my flower gardens around the house. Yes, all the way around the house. Each little garden has flowers that will flower at different times all summer which provides me with joy and colorful subjects to admire.

My short sunflowers are getting ready to show off their blossoms. The blue cosmos have overtaken the zinnias but the zinnias will preserver and have their time to show off also.

In front of the house we have our Oriole feeder and it is getting quite busy with both Orioles and their fledglings and other birds. I think these are house finches and it seems the sparrows have found a taste for oranges also.

The hummers and more interested in the Borage, Forget me Nots, Bee Balm, and Hosta flowers. Each day I gather a few flowers to bring inside.

I guess having to stick around the house all of the time has made my gardens cleaner and prettier. At least I think so!

The birds continue to entertain us at the feeders. Here is a 12 second video of birds at the Oriole feeder. Note that sparrows, Grosbeaks, and Orioles use it. Not shown is the hoards of house finches [?] that are swarming the feeder at different times also.

The Orioles are bringing their fledglings to the feeder too and feeding them. I haven't caught that in a photo yet, but I'll try.

I did do a still life...with dried mushrooms I found in the yard and garden Phlox petals.

This is for Miss Merry:  [It started raining this morning! Again!]

Wednesday was fishing day and adventure day. We both got worn out but had a great time...I might even write about that adventure later....

Now to enjoy the rainfall because that means I can take a nap and not worry about mowing the yard that is too soggy.

Still Life Challenges

Photography

I do enjoy Toy Photography as much as Still Life. I don't have to wait for perfect weather or perfect light. With a little effort and fun, one can create any world they wish too.

I took an on line class to learn and force myself to do Still Life years ago. I was pretty sure I'd hate it, but I also thought it would be an interesting way to spend time learning a new skill. 

I found out that I really did enjoy it. The class I took was in 2014.

I should do some more of this. Still Life is beautiful and always open to any interpretation. 

I don't want to be stuck in any one genre of photography.  I will say that I am not comfortable with Portrait Photography though. Weddings and portraits are tough and I am very uncomfortable with that genre. 

I have done portraits but mostly those just of my grand kids and a few other little ones. Kids are naturals and fun to follow around with a camera.

Maybe it is time to refocus during these cold, wet, and nasty days.  I might  put the toys aside for a little bit or just mix things up more.

My regret is that I didn't pick up any flowers at the store yesterday!

But I did have some time to make an effort at something much different anyway:

Glass Heart 
&
Pearls

Glass Heart
Pearls
Old Silk Rose

Below: Old Thank You Card I made when I was making all of my own cards to send out in the mail. Remember sending things in the mail???

Anyway. 

It is a good challenge on a dreary wet and nasty day!

Igloo and Creepy Zombie Clay snow people...

Sometimes I get a bit carried away with things. I touched up the igloo for my table with the little mini snow men [they are 1/2" tall] and Santa. I thought, hey why not make a tiny 'snow scene'? You know, that diorama thingy?

As kids, we didn't use big words like diorama. We just made 'set ups'. 
Setups included our plastic soldiers having an epic battle on the ping pong table in the basement.

We spent hours doing those activities.

I used cotton balls that were packed in a medication bottle to make white snow boulders. The tiny gift boxes are something I picked up so many years ago and have reused year after year. 

I should have left well enough alone. I went out in the yard and picked up some fallen branches and broke off tiny trees. I thought I'd make a couple of snow men/people. Why not? I had the tips of the branches to make arms. I found itty bitty seeds to make the eyes in the first snow man zombie. Well, the rest is history.

They look like zombies! Terrifying indeed! 

Yet, somehow I like them.
They look less scary in the daylight. I still used black and white for them and gave the little snowperson without the mouth an acorn hat.

The igloo is behind them. 

Do not fear. I am not all creepy and scary. I like cute also. 

Behold the arrival of the Polar Bears!

They are adorable!