Earlier this week, Nathan was expressing some frustration that there was no indication of the wren eggs hatching. But, then as the days went by, I noticed both parental wrens out and about. They are running to and fro with food in their beaks. Twice, I even noticed one of them carrying away something that might have been part of an egg shell (it would be interesting to research this since I don't know if birds dispose of their chick's eggs).
At any rate, I did two things today. I checked the House Sparrow nest for eggs. Sure enough, there were four speckled eggs. Since House Sparrows are invasive species, I didn't have a problem with removing the eggs. Nathan would like to keep them in a collection (drained, of course). I didn't keep or photo the nest, but it was an interesting conglomeration of grass, feathers, hair and even plastic, all in the square shape of the nesting box. That was the morbid part of my day.
The wonderful part was checking the wren's nest. The Carolina Wrens took up a home in our Purple Martin hotel--which has yet to attract Purple Martins. At my first look, I could see two beaks poking up. The chicks are very silent, at least when I was there. I'm pretty sure there are at least three chicks in there, but it's hard to tell. There were four eggs to start with. Then, because none of the kids are tall enough to check inside to see, I took the camera out and took a few photos:
The wren's nest is a lot prettier than the sparrow nest. Wrens like moss. An interesting thing that Nathan taught us about wrens this year is that the male will begin building several nests (up to six). He will then take the female on a tour of his nesting sites and she will pick the one she likes best. Then, she helps the male finish building. Our funny male wren started nests in five of the six holes of the hotel and the female picked the bottom middle. We feel really lucky!
Sunday, May 2, 2010
The babies have arrived!
Wednesday, October 8, 2008
Thursday, August 7, 2008
Wednesday, July 9, 2008
Wednesday, June 18, 2008
Friday, June 13, 2008
Warren Dunes State Park
We'll hit a new beach each week this summer. Starting off our first official week of summer we have Warren Dunes State Park! It was nice to have the entrance fee covered by our handy window sticker and we headed down the winding road to find the beach. Rounding a curve, suddenly the dune was before us and it was breathtaking. It is said to be 260 feet high and being that we don't have hills and mountains around us, it was a sight to behold. We decided to hit the dune first and then cross the parking lot to the beach. Since we were there right after some thunder and lightening storms, it was a good time to find some more fulgerite. (Almost all of my pictures for the day were underexposed!)
There were the inevitable buryings in the sand.
Ack! I almost tripped over that HEAD in the sand!
Digging and rock skipping:
The water was cold, but inviting anyway because the day was a hot 88*. There was a breeze most of the day so people were out with their kites. Brigham loved the water as long as he was able to cling tightly to me. Thus, the video post below!
Ahhh! Michigan summer is here!
Friday, June 6, 2008
lights, CAMERA, action
I feel like I'm "ruining up" (kid quote) Joseph's high definition video camera taking stills. The problem is that a visit to the menu is required for each change in lighting, subject distance, etc. The button I have to press to run the menus is getting tired. I feel guilty because though this camera is far superior to our other (much older) digital camera, it is intended for video and it's wearing out without many videos to show for it. I prefer still photography, though I know next to nothing about it, so I don't bother with video very often. Usually only to answer the call, "Mom! Come take a video of this!"
My old camera is something like 3.2 Megapixels and even though this isn't always the best measure of a digital camera, in this case it does stop me up a little bit. I can't blow my photos up from that camera, even to a 5 x 7 size. In fact, even my phone's camera does better than that (outdoors, anyway).
I've spent some time reading today at this website:
http://www.dpreview.com
I started to read reviews of cameras when I was told that I might want to spend some time in the glossary. Um, yeah. I have a lot to learn and can't even read reviews written by photographers because of it.
I like reading reviews and once I'm educated, I believe I'll read quite a few. I have a pre-reading pick for a new camera. It will be interesting if I stick with that one (Nikon D40). I also really like hearing from people I know, so if you have a favorite camera, or if you've been oogling a new camera, tell me about it. What sells you on that particular brand and make (price is probably a heavy factor)? Also, do you have a favorite website for buying a camera? I've heard not to get trapped by supposed discounters which give you a killer deal on the camera and then catch you on all the extras.
Finally, who do you use to process your photos? I've tried Snapfish and Clark Labs online recently. I got some 11 x 14's made up and was very happy with how they turned out.
Friday, May 23, 2008
Wave Clouds
The clouds were crazy-cool this morning and very quick moving. Sariah named them wave clouds. In some places, they really did look like waves crashing on the beach. I have a fixation, though, you know.
The first shot is through my "up north" buggy windshield. I'm not sure if the sky isn't always so pretty and different. This is, apparently, the first time I'm deciding to enjoy it each day as I'm sure I did when I was small.
Tuesday, May 6, 2008
Photo of the Day
Within this post, I'll keep my "Photo of the Day" for each date that I post one, and its caption.
5-6-2008
Springtime in Michigan includes lots of blossoms on bushes and trees. Joseph stated it best when he emphatically said, "I love Michigan's spring!"
5-7-2008
We've been listening to the 'Anne of Green Gables' series in the van. Every spring someone gives someone else (usually Anne) a handful of May flowers. My boy gave me these the other day.
5-09-2008
The waterwheel.
5-10-2008
"It's nice to hold a little hand."
5-11-2008
Surprise! Mother's day roses from my sweetheart.
5-12-2008
Boy meets tree.
5-14-2008
I love how my camera caught the last rays of sun as my little one enjoyed the freedom of the slide "all by myself."
5-15-2008
Everybody was very happy in this golden hour of a golden day. A bell in a church across the harbour rang faintly and sweetly. The moon was making patterns on the water. The dunes shimmered in hazy silver. There was a tang of mint in the air and some unseen roses were unbearably sweet.
--L. M. Montgomery, Anne of Ingleside
5-16-2008
Mama medusa!
5-21-2008
Rise and shout, the Cougars are out,
along the trail to fame and glory.
Rise and shout, our cheers will ring out,
As you unfold your vict'ry story.
On you go to vanquish the foe for Alma Mater's sons and daughters.
As we join in song in praise of you our faith is strong.
We'll raise our colors high in the blue,
And cheer our Cougars of BYU!
5-23-2008
The snowball bush.
5-26-2008
I'd like to be a honeybee so I could walk through the plush softness of an iris in bloom!
5-27-2008
New perspective on the same subject. This picture was taken before my daughters decided that they'd like to create a wedding in the back yard by spreading these sweet smelling bouquets around in the grass. I told them I was sad that they had decided to ruin my snowball flowers for the year, but then realized what glorious times they must have had in their imaginings!
5-29-2008
Fair are the meadows,
Fairer the woodlands,
Robed in the flow'rs of blooming spring.
6-01-2008
About to burst forth!
6-4-2008
Yesterday's visitor to the flower bed.
6-13-2008
Livin' it up!
6-14-2008
6-16-2008
The more I read about photography, the more I'm learning that part of the art is knowing about what your camera can do, how to adjust it etc. The other part is about having the creativity to compose a good picture. It has made me view the world differently than I ever have before. What I look for is light and how that light plays on my subjects. That's what makes a picture interesting to me.
6-18-2008
The birds
6-20-2008
Boy meets ape.
6-25-2008
The robin's grave.
6-27-2008
Love, love, love flamingos!
6-30-2008
This flower is known as a hot poker or torch lily. Hummingbirds love them. This particular plant came to my house nine years ago all the way from Utah!
7-1-2008
Stomp!
7-6-2008
Blue sky, a swing and summer...
7-10-2008
Pure fun! Pure joy!
7-11-2008
The moment the sun broke through the clouds.
7-16-2008
Bringing the beauty INSIDE!
7-17-2008
A good portrayal of my life right now. Where's my focus??
7-18-2008
A gold finch enjoying the coneflower seeds. Our purple coneflowers have been attracting many different butterfly species, gold finches, hummingbirds, and lots of bees. Nathan sits for long periods at the window and calls us in to see what he's observed.
7-19-2008
8-3-2008
The essence of our summer
8-6-2008
Catch the golden sunshine in your hand
8-7-2008
Evening's long shadows
8-8-2008
8-11-2008
After a long day, fairies relax in the garden too!
8-13-2008
I'm usually the one behind the camera, taking the pictures. It's that way on purpose since I don't usually like pictures of myself much. Then I realized that I'd better start allowing more photographs of me or no one would know that I'd been there. Here's a picture to let you know that I'm still in here! :)
8-14-2008
8-15-2008
Gathering water for drip castles just like his brother and sisters!
8-25-2008
This stellar view of Lake Michigan comes from 450 feet above the lake, within the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore. The people who were brave enough (CRAZY enough) to go down the dune looked like ants at the bottom. Imagine the hike back up a hill like that!!
8-26-2008
Benjamin's name in the sand. Dedicated to Michelle, Chris and boys.
9-3-2008
The writing on the glass.
9-4-2008
9-8-2008
9-9-2008
9-10-2008
Cute, tiny hopper tracks in the sand.
9-13-2008
9-14-2008
9-16-2008
Gold finch in flight!
9-18-2008
Silly girl!
9-19-2008
Early morning
9-24-2008
9-25-2008
I c d b
9-26-2008
10-2-2008
What Brigham does with his spare time
10-5-2008
Making music
10-12-2008
Sitting by colored water
10-14-2008
10-15-2008
Jump!
10-16-2008
Fly away south...
11-02-2008
I never knew that a dried thistle leaf resembled a nautilus!
11-04-2008
Bursting milkweed pod
11-06-2008
Brothers
(Note: this photo was spontaneous on the part of the boys--not set up by me)
12-9-2008
A new season at the bird feeders.
12-12-2008
Pudding stone at the Rock and Gem Show--October 2008
Soo Locks--September 2008
October 16, 2009
Wood Lily, Copper Harbor, Michigan July 2009
December, 2009
East Tawas Point Light House, Lake Huron
March, 2009
Sariah built "The Stranger in the Woods" complete with birdseed in the hat of the snowman.
April, 2009
Happy day! Wildflowers are blooming!
April 26, 2009
Sun worshippers
