sharleenstuartShare Six: July 2018: Curves
Posted on July 6, 2018
South Florida is wet, daily, right now and it is the pits to be honest. However, the upside of the rain is that there is raindrops. This months theme chosen by Elizabeth of It’s Still Life Photography by Elizabeth Wilson is Curves. I was stumped. What could I do?
Where I live in Florida the roads are like a grid. Not too many curves to be found. My kids are adults so there is no frequenting playgrounds for me.
Outside in the garden we have a number of plants with variegated leaves. I cannot say I am crazy about the look of the plant however, the effects the leaves have where there is water drops on them are pretty neat. On my day off from work, the rain came down and once it stopped I took my camera with it’s macro lens outside to see if I could capture some water drops. When post editing I notice that raindrops create beautiful curves along with curved reflections within the water drop. The plant itself also makes interesting curves with it leaves.
So this is what my take on the theme Curves is for Share Six this month.
Thank you for joining me for this month’s Share Six. This is a circle blog. From the sneak peak images I have seen, you are going to want to follow the circle. Please take time to visit my friend and very talented artist Elizabeth of It’s Still Life Photography by Elizabeth Wilson and see what she has for you this month. Keep following the circle to see what the other photographers have shared this month. Don’t forget to leave a little love on their page as well.
You can also find me on Facebook, Flickr, Instagram, Google+ and Viewbug.
Now it is your turn. Don’t forget to like us on Facebook at Share Six and come and share your images on the theme {Curves} throughout the month of June. A new theme will come out on July 6.
Remember you can follow us on Instagram at @sharesix and tag your images #sharesix_curves.
You can also find the Share Six webpage at http://www.sharesix.wordpress.com
We look forward to seeing your images on the theme {Curves}
Tell me a Story: June 2018
Posted on June 30, 2018
I can hardly believe that we are halfway through the year already. Seems like just the other day it was Christmas and we were rushing around with Amy and Daniel. I was home alone and decided that I wanted to get out but not for too long. The temperature outside is climbing, but even worse the humidity. May and June have been very wet months and the humidity level is super high.
So a quick outing is about 10 minutes away from me. The local park has a small walk through the bushes. Outside of that walk is a small butterfly garden. So that is where I was headed. However, the butterflies were not in abundance and those that were out were not sitting still. So today’s blog is more about the different flowers and a number of lizards that I came across, including the little on clutching onto the stem of a flower.
I had taken my macro with the intention of getting up really close however, I did like the creaminess of the images taken with the macro, so I opted not to go in close as a post edit.
Thanks for strolling along with me, I hope you enjoyed the different flora and lizards that I came across.
This is a circle blog and I am looking forward to seeing what everyone else has got up to this month. Follow the link here to see what my fellow blogger and friend Kim of Kim Sidwell Photography has for you this month, Don’t forget to leave a little love on their pages.
You can also find me on Facebook, Flickr, Instagram, Google+ and Viewbug.
30 Minutes in the Life: June 2018
Posted on June 25, 2018
Growing up with an English grandmother living in our home, the ritual of tea drinking was a common place occurrence. We did not drink coffee very often. Moving to the USA, I quickly changed to drinking coffee but over the past few years I have reverted back to drinking tea.
Recently my immediate supervisor at work retired, and the ladies in her leadership team decided to take her to the Serenity Tea House for her farewell. Nestled in among the old houses of West Palm Beach, Serenity Tea House is an interestingly charming place to visit. Each room is made up of typically English style decor, with knick knacks and tea sets laid out among many rooms.
While everyone was chatting and waiting on the pre-ordered menu of high tea, I took the opportunity to go for a quick walk around the house. Obviously there were other guests besides our group so I tried to not get people in the images or to disturb their experience at this beautiful tea house.
The high tea started out with a tomato bisque soup and then the tower of food. We had two different pots of tea and I was able to order one of my favorites vanilla tea. That reminded me of my dear friend Gavin who has now passed away. I would go to visit and he would only share his vanilla tea with me. Said I was one of the few who really appreciated. I sure did.
If you have not visited a traditional English tea house I would certainly encourage you to do so. Pricier than a coffee shop, the experience is always worth the little extra you may pay.
Thank you for joining me for this month’s 30 Minutes in Life. For the rest of the blog group, please take time to visit my friend and fellow blogger Sarah of Sarah Keene Photography .and see what she has for you this month. Keep following the circle of photographers to see what the other photographers, from the US and around the world, have shared this month. Don’t forget to leave a little love on their pages.
You can also find me on Facebook, Flickr, Instagram, Viewbug and Google+
Inspired by Life: June 2018
Posted on June 20, 2018
Inspired by Life is very apt when it comes to Dragonflies. I hate mosquito’s and dragonflies love mosquito. On the flip side Dragonflies are a tasty little treat for baby birds. I remember watching the first 8 day life cycle of Redwing Blackbird chicks. The female would often bring home a dragonfly as food for the chicks. For each there is a place.
The wetlands have seen few dragonfly over the past couple of years so it was nice to get out and walk around and see them flitting from one plant to another. Catching them on camera was a totally different story. Just when you have the lighting right and the focus almost perfect, they up and fly away. What I have learned though is very often they will come back to the same plant.
For me I am always happy to see an abundance of dragonfly in my garden. The last few weeks after all the rain we have had they do seem to be in abundance. I also same some damselfly. However, they did not sit still long enough for me to capture them. Next time I think I will go out with my macro and see what I can come up with.
I hope you enjoy the different species of dragonfly that I managed to find.
Four Spotted Pennant
Four Spotted Pennant
Halloween Pennant
Four Spotted Pennant
Orange Meadowhawk
Four Spotted Pennant
Orange Meadowhawk
Blue Dasher
Needhams Skimmer
Four Spotted Pennant
Needhams Skimmer
Scarlet Skimmer
Needhams Skimmer
Four Spotted Pennant
Needhams Skimmer
Four Spotted Pennant
Four Spotted Pennant
Dragonfly are fun to watch. They are really busy little critters. And if you happen to get up close to them you will find that often they are chomping on something. Their mouths are going all the time. Their eyes are incredible when you manage to capture them in macro and all over the dragonfly is a pretty cool critter.
Thank you for joining me for this month’s Inspired by Life. This is a circle blog although we are a little on the light side this month. Please take time to visit my friend Ceri of Ceri Herd Photography and see what she has for you this month. Keep following the circle to see what the other photographers have shared this month. Don’t forget to leave a little love on her pages.
You can also find me on Facebook, Flickr, Instagram, Google+ and Viewbug.
10 on 10: June 2018
Posted on June 10, 2018
This past month we had a staff retreat at the home where we traditionally have our Christmas luncheon. Every year I take my camera with me, except this year. I decided I was not going to. There are only so many things you can take in the garden. Mmm, maybe not my best decision. Out in the garden was an enormous amount of orchids and all I had was my cellphone
Orchids remind me of my dad. My father used to grow orchids. He initially started out with this really small orchid house. Perhaps 100 orchids, maybe a few more. One day we came home to visit and my father was in the process of building a bigger and better hot house for his orchids which I might add took up half the garden.
My dad died in 1995 but the memories are still so vivid. Dad loved that hot house. Each day he would go outside and make sure that the sprinklers were working. Each orchid had to get it’s nutrients. He would spend hours in the hothouse, pottering around. He would split up the orchids, trim the roots, make sure the potting mix was the best he could make up. He tended his plants with love and care.
My son loved to go into Grampa’s flower house as a toddler. Grampa on the other hand, watched him like a hawk. Cameron had a habit of beheading flowers.
I spent a lot of time trying to find different orchids for my dad. I specialized in the unusual. In his orchid house he had Dendrobium orchids, Cattleya orchids, Dancing ladies orchids, Paphiopedlium “Slipper” orchids, Encyclia Orchids, Oncidium orchids, Phalaenopsis orchids, Vanda orchids and some whose names I do not even remember.
I remember one year an orchid flowered through the bottom of the hanging basket. It produced these large plastic looking flowers. The flowers were stunning. My dad brought the plant into the house to display and we all looked at it with admiration. And then we went to sleep and the next morning we thought we were going to die. The whole house stank something awful and the plant was quickly removed outside again.
Cymbidium orchids were the trickiest and the hardest for him to grow. Living on the coast we had a much warmer climate. Cymbidium orchids need a cold snap to produce flowers .
I remember the 2nd last week of his life. He was still able to get up and move around. I was spending the week with him knowing it was going to be my last week. Each morning dad and I would make our way through to the orchid house and he would take care of his flowers. I asked a lot of questions in that week telling him he was going to have to teach me more about his hobby, yet knowing full well, that time was so short. By the time my dad died the following week, he had managed to accumulate over 4000 orchids.
My mom’s green finger was like mine – we tend to replace rather than grow. Orchids hold a special place in my heart. When I see them I see my dad, and I see his brother Robert who was another orchid hobbyist.
I hope you enjoy the beauty of nature’s creations.
![IMG_9122[22492]](https://sharleenstuart.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/img_912222492.jpg?w=680)
Thank you for joining me for this month’s 10 on 10. This is a circle blog. Please take time to visit my good friend Ceri of Ceri Herd Photography and see what she has for you this month. Keep following the circle to see what the other photographers have shared this month. Don’t forget to leave a little love on their pages.
You can also find me on Facebook, Flickr, Instagram, Google+ and Viewbug.
Share Six: June 2018: Abstract
Posted on June 6, 2018
How can we be halfway through the year already?? This year is just flying by and I feel like I still have so much to do.
This month for the Share Six theme Ceri of Ceri Herd Photography chose the theme Abstract. I am in my element here. I love abstract art. I haven’t made a lot of it but today I got to play around a little and see what I could come up with.
I encourage you to go and play and make some abstract art – it is kind of addictive.
For this image I just chose to do some selective cropping to capture the stalks and the bokeh and hopefully to give it that abstract feel.
I would love to say that this was ICM – Intentional Camera Movement, but it was not. The bird moved and I did too, but I loved the abstract effect of this image.
Believe it of not this was an abstract sunset created with a Lensbaby Sweet 35 as seen below, which is the actual image. In this image, I used Photoshop to create the effect. First I opened the image, then created a duplicate layer. I went to Filters, and chose Pixulate and then Pointilize. I set the dots at a fairly large size. Next step was to go to Filters, Blur and chose radial blur. I then chose zoom and best. Once I got the spiral result, I then went to my adjustment tools and used the saturation tool to change the color of the image from browns to blues.
So this was the origianl image used for the blue version above. For me this is abstract that I love. This is create with the Lensbaby Sweet 35 and it is captured by turned the lens to a blur position.
This was traffic lights, and I captured this image with the Lensbaby Sweet 35. Once again I turned the lens to a obvious blur position.
This is a black and white image of a poppy interior. In this image, I used Photoshop to create the effect. First I opened the image, then created a duplicate layer. I went to Filters, and chose Pixulate and then Mezzotint, and I chose the setting medium lines. Next step was to go to Filters, Blur and chose radial blur. I then chose zoom and best. Once I got the spiral result, I then went to my adjustment tools and just played with light and dark.
I know I gave you an extra one. I was not planning to give you the example for the blue abstract image but I changed my mind. Another one of my abstract favorites. In this image I used a Lensbaby Double Focus lens, and again took it to the blur position to get these results.
Thank you for joining me for this month’s Share Six. This is a circle blog. From the sneak peak images I have seen, you are going to want to follow the circle. Please take time to visit my friend and very talented artist Ceri of Ceri Herd Photography and see what she has for you this month. Keep following the circle to see what the other photographers have shared this month. Don’t forget to leave a little love on their page as well.
You can also find me on Facebook, Flickr, Instagram, Google+ and Viewbug.
Now it is your turn. Don’t forget to like us on Facebook at Share Six and come and share your images on the theme {Abstract} throughout the month of June. A new theme will come out on July 6.
Remember you can follow us on Instagram at @sharesix and tag your images #sharesix_abstract.
You can also find the Share Six webpage at http://www.sharesix.wordpress.com
We look forward to seeing your images on the theme {Abstract}
Tell me a Story: May 2018
Posted on May 31, 2018
For this months Tell me a Story, I looked at the images that I had taken on my recent walkabout in the wetlands. As you know I love the shallow depth of field type images and so I put together a selection from those I took while out walking.
I love that there is more to the wetlands than just birds and critters. There are some beautiful plants and opportunities to be creative.
Alligator Flag
Pond apple petal
Spider Web
New Fern
Last of the winter leaves
Dead Fern
Pond Apple Petal
Alligator Flag
Another winter leaf
Spanish Moss
Alligator flag
Some kind of growth out of the wooden railing
Alligator Flag
Although the weather turned cold, the days on the beach were well worth the time it took to get away. It is always nice to be at the edge of the ocean, hearing the waves go to and fro and enjoying the peace of the moment.
This is a circle blog and I am looking forward to seeing what everyone else has got up to this month. Follow the link here to see what my fellow blogger Beth at Beth Williams Photoblog has for you this month, Don’t forget to leave a little love on their pages.
You can also find me on Facebook, Flickr, Instagram, Google+ and Viewbug.
30 Minutes in the Life: May 2018
Posted on May 28, 2018
For my 30 Minutes in the Life this month I am going to share a trip to the Loxahatchee National Park which is 15 minutes from where I live. A quick, jump in the car and rush up in time to catch the sunset. We have had a lot of rain and so it has made it difficult to get any photo’s recently.
This particular night however, there was a heavy band of cloud when I got to the park which made for very dark images.
My first stop is always the pond. I love to see what images I can capture there.
Sunset at the pond.
Sunset at the pond
Sunset at the pond
The next stop is up at the edge of the Everglades overlooking the vast areas of marshy water. The Everglades is, I believe, the slowest moving river in South Florida. The area is subtropical and his home to many species of plants and animals. Of course, it is home to some pretty large alligators as well. Kayaking through there can be great and there can also be some breath holding moments. The thick band of cloud did not allow for much of a sunset but I got what I could.
Sunset on a really cloudy night.
Sunset over the Everglades.
Sunset
The real treat however, is to watch the murmuration of the Boat Tailed Grackles. The incredible dance in the sky is such a fantastic display of coordination and movement by this large body of birds. They shape shift in the sky, making coordinated changes in direction.
Murmuration of the Boat Tailed Grackle while a White Egret flies by.
Watching the Boat Tailed Grackles a White Egret flies by.
Murmuration of the Boat Tailed Grackes.
Murmuration of the Boat Tailed Grackles
Lastly, I always take my lensbaby along with me to play around with the shapes of the sun during the sunset. I love getting an abstract look to the sunset.
Sunset – Sweet 35
Thank you for joining me for this month’s 30 Minutes in Life. For the rest of the blog group, please take time to visit my friend and fellow blogger Stacey Markel Photography and see what she has for you this month. Keep following the circle of photographers to see what the other photographers, from the US and around the world, have shared this month. Don’t forget to leave a little love on their pages.
You can also find me on Facebook, Flickr, Instagram, Viewbug and Google+
Inspired by Life: May 2018
Posted on May 21, 2018
I recently took a drive down to Fort Lauderdale. I had heard that there were Burrowing Owl chicks in a local park. Burrowing Owls have to be the cutest little birds I have ever seen, my baby Redwing Blackbirds aside. They stand no higher than a standard ruler.
Typically Burrowing owls can be found in grasslands, deserts and agricultural areas. I found mine in an old garbage dump that has been turned into a park.
Burrowing Owls create their homes by digging in the ground. The Burrowing Owl is a protected species in Florida. Wherever there is a roost they are typically cordoned off to stop anyone walking on them or getting too close to them.
They are curious little birds, who do not seem easily intimidated if they see you, however, if you get to close they will scurry to their burrow. The Owl is constantly watching you, watching the air and watching how far they from their hole. I visited 6 different burrows, traipsing across uneven ground to get to the various holes. Then for the most part I sat myself down on the ground and did not move. Fortunately I have a 70-300mm zoom lens and with some post cropping you get to see a closer up image.
I did post a couple of images from 2017 – the bird regurgitating it’s food, and the bird stretching it’s wing out.
Typical cordoning off of the area
A sample of the general size of the Burrowing Owl. The fire hydrant is a standard size.
The Owls typically come out in the day time, and will hover near the post in it’s shade.
This little one made a noise as I approached.
They are constantly looking in the sky for predators.
I love their big eyes.
This little Owl popped out once I sat down.
It got a little braver and came right out.
Then interestingly it lay itself down on the ground. The ground is great camouflage for the Burrowing Owl. However, there are other possibilities for doing this. The bird could be cooling down, or trying to suffocate the mites that are on its body.
This little Burrowing Owl was at a different location.
I love the look I was getting here.
It’s room mate was cleaning house.
This was an interesting capture of the Burrowing Owl regurgitating the leftovers of its meal.
Doing some yoga and stretching.
Off to another locations to find this little Burrowing Owl out on top of the wooden post.
I am fascinated that the Owl will turn it’s head almost all the way around as it follows you.
And in this case it did turn it’s head all the way around.
This little one, like my cat, is camera shy.
This happened at another location as well.
At the last location these little guys scurried to their burrow and I stepped up to the rope to see if I could see them.
I sat down to wait and finally they popped back out.
I know there are a lot of photo’s but these little guys are so cute that I feel like it is worth posting them all. I may well do another trip down there before the end of the month.
Thank you for joining me for this month’s Inspired by Life. This is a circle blog although we are a little on the light side this month. Please take time to visit my friend Kym of Bubbaliciousphoto and see what she has for you this month. Keep following the circle to see what the other photographers have shared this month. Don’t forget to leave a little love on her pages.
You can also find me on Facebook, Flickr, Instagram, Google+ and Viewbug.
10 on 10: May 2018
Posted on May 10, 2018
Within driving distance of where we live are two created wetlands. It is a natural habitat for nesting birds, and of course spring is nesting time. For the longest time we had a variety of birds, Great Blue Heron, Anhinga, Cormorant, Cattle Egret, Great Egret etc. Somehow the secret got out to the Woodstork and they have become the major nesting bird. I always loved the Woodstork, who looks like a prehistoric bird, but lately since they have taken over the wetlands I am liking them less and less. Added to that when you have the mass of birds that are there now, they are kind of stinky. However, I still like getting out into the wetlands and enjoying my 1 mile walk in nature.
Spiny Orb Weaver Spider
The Spiny Orb Weaver Spider is one of the smallest but most interesting spiders I have seen in South Florida. Aside from the spider being interesting, the web it creates is outstanding.
Great Blue Heron
This Great Blue Heron is fishing. Daily they make their way into the water to catch fish. The Great Blue Heron watches the fish with it’s head facing sideways. Once caught the fish goes down in one big gulp.
Leaf on the water
We spotted this leaf on the water and it really looked like something was towing it about. However, it was just the wind creating a sail and moving it about the water’s surface.
Juvenile Wood Stork
A juvenile Wood Stork looks soft and downy, but as they mature, the darkness around their face becomes almost leathery looking. The Wood Stork is very prehistoric looking as an adult. The wetlands is full of these young birds and they are very noisy. Right now a good few of them are testing their wings to see if they can fly.
Alligator Flag
Alligator Flag is a common plant in the wetlands and the Moorhens and Purple Gallinule love to eat the flower. It is always interesting to watch as the plant stem is very thin and bends easily and the birds are not petite. However, they do manage to grab what they want. This method of taking photographs is one of my favorite styles.
Iguana
This iguana sits on a branch under the Woodstork nests. Based on the color of his flap I am going to say that right now it is orange. However, it has been pooped on so much that it is looking gray.
Bees on a Pickerelweed flower
A sure sign of spring is the busyness of the bees, and the wetlands flowers are definitely a good source of nectar for the bees.
Alligator
Lying below another set of Wood Stork nests was this big guy. This is a little island in the middle of the water. The Alligator is sunning itself at this point however, if the chicks fall out the nest the gator would probably snap it up.
Blue Dasher Dragonfly
Dragonflies are another of my favorite critters to watch. I was happy to see this Blue Dasher out and about. For the last couple of years it has felt like there was so few dragonfly around.
Pond apple petal
The Pond Apple plant is a tropical fruit plant and it typically grows in wet areas so the wetland is perfect for it. Apparently alligators like to eat pond apples.
So that was my meander through the wetlands. It takes me about an hour depending on how long I stop to watch different birds or animals. It is a great time for me to get out and clear my head and just commune with nature. And take photographs as well.
Thank you for joining me for this month’s 10 on 10. This is a circle blog. Please take time to visit my good friend Ceri of Ceri Herd Photography and see what she has for you this month. Keep following the circle to see what the other photographers have shared this month. Don’t forget to leave a little love on their pages.
You can also find me on Facebook, Flickr, Instagram, Google+ and Viewbug.
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