Project 365 – For mothers just like me…

Project 365 – For mothers just like me…is a group of moms with young children who graciously allowed me to tag along with the group as an accountability group for taking photographs.  Both of my children are much older and living out of home.  I hope to continue with this group as I have enjoyed every moment of my time spent with them and getting to know each family.

 

Day One:  January 1, 2015

While sitting on the deck drinking coffee this morning I was looking at the creeper on the fence.  This little shoot was heading off into the sky.  What I love when I edit is finding what the natural eye does not normally see.  Tiny little bugs crawling on the shoot and spider webs.

Day 2: January 2, 2015

I like to hang out on the deck in the morning and have my coffee and talk to the critters.  Today was an interesting day.  I generally put peanuts out for the Squirrel but of late the Blue Jays have been picking them off faster than the Squirrel.  Today we had a new bird join the mix although I cannot say it actually got a peanut.  I am not particularly fond of the Boat Tailed Grackle.  They tend to swarm the canal.  However, the one thing I do love about these birds is the color of their feathers with the sun shines on them.

Day 3: January 3,  2015

Walking in the wetland is always a pleasure for me – right now I cannot walk far, but I wanted to attempt it.  I got as far as the entrance to the wetland when this little lady caught my attention.  It was the first time I had seen a Juvenile or female Ruby Throated Hummingbird in the wild.  I have seen one at the Butterfly World but never out in a natural environment.  It was such a thrill to see and be able to photograph this bird.

Day 4: January 4, 2015

It has been a quite day today.  I wanted to rest after paying the price for yesterdays brief walk in the wetlands.  So today I hung around at home and in the afternoon I went outside on the deck to hang out with the Squirrels for a bit.  I love these little critters.

Day 5:  January 5, 2015

I had to laugh at this little guy this morning.  He was so busy scratching himself I am convinced he has fleas.  However at the point that I took the photo he had started playing with his tail.  Seemed like he was fluffing it up.

Day 6: January 6, 2015

Waking up in the morning is not something I am very good at.  However, it is always good to wake up to a pretty view.  When I went outside to feed the ducks this morning the mist was rolling along the banks and gathering at the end of the canal.

Day 7: January 7, 2015

Sunsets out back are always something worth stopping and watching.  This photo was taken as the sun was setting when they sky was still a little yellow and before it dipped below the line of view.  I always like to watch for reflections in the water.

Day 8, January 8, 2015

I have decided that Blue Jays are wise birds.  They have learned that the Squirrel gets 5 peanuts before I go to work.  Tag team Blue Jays have worked out that if they hit the loot after the Squirrel has got his first one, then they will get them all.

Day 9:  January 9, 2015

I love to walk in the wetlands and look at all the animals and birds that live there.  However there are times when I go looking for something different.  Today was one of those days and this vine caught my eye as it hung against a tree.

Day 10:  January 10, 2015

Today is a little chilly.  There is not much out on the canal.   However, you can count on the Mourning Doves to be around.  I love how they puff themselves up as the sit in the cold.

Day 11: January 11, 2015

Another early morning routine is to feed the Mallards.  I put a scoop of bird seed in a dish on the dock.  Today I was running a little late and so they were waiting patiently for me on the bank to bring their food out.

Day 12: January 12, 2015

In winter the days are dark before I reach home, so often on my drive home I am watching the sunset as it forms, and if I can find a good spot I will pull off and take a photo.  This was one of my stopping points this particular day.

Day 13: January 13, 2015

Early morning breakfast shoot before heading off to work.  Big Blue was outside wading in the water fishing.  I love how he has a feather sticking up on his back.

Day 14: January 14, 2015

I knew that today was going to be one of those hard days to meet my 365 challenge so I stopped in at the local grocery store and bought myself some tulips.  They are always so pretty.  Today I experimented with black and white.

Day 15: January 15, 2015

This was another road side opportunity.  I had been out at one of our clinics all day.  My camera was on the car seat and I was stopped at a traffic light.  I could not ask for a better photo op – a Cattle Egret sitting on the railing.

Day 16: January 16, 2015

Today was my first short walk in the wetland, post surgery to my foot.  The weather was warm and breezy.  Obviously the turtles were enjoying basking in the warmth.  I just love the positions they managed to get themselves into.

Day 17: January 17, 2015

It is Saturday, and Richard is desperate to try out his new paddle board, so off to the park we go.  He heads out on is board and I sit in the warmth of the day watching a father and son playing on a jet ski.

Day 18: January 18, 2015

My tulips are dying but even in death they are beautiful.  It feels like a Hallelujah chorus as they open out to cast out new seed, which in turn begins new life again.  Unfortunately they were in my office, so there was not a lot of new life happening.

 

Day 19: January 19, 2015

Seeing a raptor out back on the canal, is always a thrill for me.  They are never that close that I can get a great photo, but I really enjoy hearing them call out

Day 20: January 20, 2015

Another morning breakfast run as I head off to work.  My little Squirrels were out to greet me.

Day 21: January 21, 2015

When I went out to put the duck seed out this morning this White Ibis walked right up to me.  It is very unusual because they normally fly away.  Perhaps he is the Ibis that cleans up after the ducks have finished with their seed.

Day 22: January 22, 2015

Big Blue was hanging out again this morning.  I see his feather is still sticking up 10 days later.  I am always pleased to see his face when I head outside.

Day 23: January 23, 2015

I decided that I wanted to do something different today so I headed outside with my macro lens, which I really do not use often enough, and started focusing in on tiny little plants.  It always amazes me when I can zoom in close enough to see the tiny hairs on the stems of the plants.

Day 24: January 24, 2015 

I love my little Squirrels and I really like the colors of the background lately.  The blurry effect is also a favorite of mine as well.

Day 25: January 25, 2015 

Sunsets out back can be spectacular and today was no exception.  From here the colors changed to magenta’s.  The end of the day just took my breath away.

Day 26: January 27, 2015 

Early morning and not much critter activity but I do think that this was left over from the glorious night before.  Love to wake up in the morning and see the pink in the sky.  It makes the routine of getting ready for work so much more enjoyable.

Day 27: January 27, 2015 

This is one of my favorite kinds of photography. The topic of narrow depth of field.  I have blown up a couple of these images and am really happy with the final outcome.

Day 28: January 28, 2015 

Out back this morning was really life less, except for this Boat Tailed Grackle sitting up in the palm tree.

Day 29: January 29, 2015 

This photo of the Blue Jay is not technically correct.  I would call it fantastically flawed. However I do love the motion in this image.

Day 30: January 30, 2015 

I walked in the wetlands today, and since I went looking for this kind of photograph, here is my narrow depth of field for today.