Tuesday, June 17, 2008

Still at it...

After doing a bit of research on the internet today I have come to the realization that I do NOT have the camera, lens, or equipment to take the kind of hummingbird photos I would like...it's sad when you know you've been defeated...
Check out this website, click here.
But I am very stubborn and I will continue to try...you just never know one of these days I may get lucky!!
The photo below I took tonight on my hummer chasing quest!





South Texas BLAST furnace...

I am telling you walking outside here today is like entering a BLAST furnace.
The temperature at the moment is wavering between 98-99 F., with a feels like of about 103 F. It's days like today that I am so thankful we have central A/C...Michael came outside earlier and within 10 seconds was going back inside saying it's too HOT!!
I have had a headache from heck that just won't go away so I decided to try some photo therapy to see if that would help...
Karin M. suggested I try my 55 mm lens for Macro shots and you know Karin you were correct...I think that lens works the best...Yes Folks more Macro shots, lol...am I boring you yet?
The heat doesn't seem to be effecting the grasshoppers, they are still munching away on my plants, grrr...I told Michael we need to catch them and take them fishing!!

Lantana is loving the heat too and blooming fairly well...

This guy was nodding his head at me as if to say "Plumbago is pretty darn tasty today!", UGH!

This one found the leaves on the Fica tree nice and tasty!

Mums in the Cactus Garden are peeking out!

Another try for the Red Sylvia!

This grasshopper is enjoying the Silver leaf sunflowers...We seem to have Grasshoppers all over the place and they are really finding my plants tasty too, Grr....

Cherry tomato bloom, they are doing okay as long as I remember to water them. Anyone want some Cherry tomatoes?

This is actually a larva of something that builds his protective home out of all kinds of things. I have not been able to figure out what they are called yet. I've sent out a few inquires to bug sites and I am waiting to hear back as to what it's proper name is...If you know tell me! I like them as to me they use little bits and pieces of debris and it looks almost like a sculpture or something...it is about 1/2 inch long.

Well I am off to make dinner and possibly try for an evening walk and photo therapy session...

Monday, June 16, 2008

Bubbles in the evening & some Misc.

My son loves info-mercials on the tv. He could watch them all day long. I have a long list of items that he thinks I need, lol...Some day I will do a scrap-page of them...But he saw a commercial for an ice cold water blaster and then decided it was time to get the bubble blowing gun out...
This is the bubble blowing gun...See Helen it does blow bubbles, lol.

Not sure what Michael was doing here but I loved how the photo came out...

I think this is the first time Jake has seen bubbles and he was just too funny!! After this photo he got up and started barking at them...silly dog!

Concentration!

Michael was trying for LARGE bubbles!

He was doing a fairly good job at it too!

Okay now off topic, lol...We had a milestone this weekend...Michael let the barber use clippers!! For the first time in 3 yrs he got a decent hair cut...well at least his neck and around his ears looked good, lol....I had to get a photo! My little M.A.N. is growing up!!

I took these photos of lillies (I think they are lillies?) at Freds employers shop...I think they are gorgeous and I never remember to take photos of them...today I stopped by there to pick up some things for Fred and thought Ohhh time to grab the camera and try for some photos!!

That is it for the day folks. We had a busy day and it's time to hit the sack and call it a day!


Play Day with Kelly and the Kids

Today we met Kelly at her Mothers house and the boys and a neighbor girl had a blast playing. Kelly had the kids put together pizza's for lunch and then they went swimming. It was a HOT day and perfect for cooling off in the pool.

Sean was dozing off for a nap...he tried so hard to stay awake but just couldn't do it!

Do they look like they are having fun?

Sweet little Zac had an accident (cut to his scalp) a few days ago and isn't allowed to get his hair wet for a few days...so the reason for the shower cap.

Playing with the beach ball.

Next time I think I'll try a different lens, wasn't too happy with these photos.

Thank you Kelly for having us over. We had a wonderful time, you are so good with the kids. Love how you had them make the pizza's, we enjoyed lunch!

Sunday, June 15, 2008

I will not give up...

I am still attempting a perfect shot of a hummingbird. Tonight I played rotten and took all the feeders down except one, lol...Easier to focus on one feeder instead of three...Then I played with my white balance a bit. I should have left the white balance on auto as I don't think I am experienced enough and did NOT have it set right!
This is what I came up with tonight!

Black-chinned hummingbird

I thought the tail feathers spread out were pretty cool.


loved the wing action on this exposure.


Berryline hummingbird.

( I loved the colors on this and no I did not adjust it in PSE 6). What you see is what you get!

I'll keep playing with the camera and continue to try for that perfect hummer photo!!


~ Fathers Day ~

It is Fathers day here in the U.S. today and we went to visit with Grandpocka!
As I was taking macro shots the boys were over messing around and I asked them if they could kind of group up for a photo!

Grandpocka teasing Michael, as always!

My husband getting grouchy because I was messing with the camera settings!! That MAN has no PATIENCE what so ever, Grrrr! So I have a decent shot of Michael and Grandpocka but hubby is scowling!!


One more try...Ahh beautiful Hubby looks decent, Grandpocka smiling and Argh...Michael blurry and making goofy faces!! I give up, lol...Okay boys your all done!! Go Play!! and y'all wonder why I stick with nature photos, lol....

Happy Fathers Day!

"On the road again"...

We headed out again this morning to go see Grandpocka...My husband has an aversion to staying home during the weekend day...it just can't be done! I grabbed the camera and went a long for the ride!

June here, HOT, Hot, Hot and no rain! Look at the brown crispy crunchy grass on the roadside....Ewww! I was actually playing with the light meter on the camera as we were driving down the road, lol...

I found somebody to pose for me, lol...a 2 inch baby anole lizard, he was just too darn cute!


Now turn your head a bit more, yes that is it!

Uh Oh and here comes Mama! Time for the little one to head out!

I moved on to an Argiope spider, just love their zig zag webs!

I was so proud of these Macro shots, I really thought WOW I did good today...Then I went over to take a look at Krissy's blog...She had said she tried to do some Macro exposures and that she just couldn't match mine, *snort, *snort! I am hanging my head in shame. I have been out done! Anyone want a camera, I give up!!

Click here to take a peek at Krissy's photos

This woman has the touch!!