A bee's world

When I was out among the lilac bushes a few days ago, the air was filled with a constant buzzing. Not only are we blessed with many beautiful lilacs, but we also have a healthy crop of dandelions. I don't think bees have a preference - I had to be a little careful before sticking my camera into a lilac bush and I also had to tread carefully. I didn't want to be mistaken for and treated as an invader. We all got along famously. I did use my long lens for this shot, however - I'm not THAT brave (or foolhardy).

Today was another of those "ya win some, ya lose some" days. In the win column, I discovered why my photos display at a smaller size when you click on them than what I uploaded - I've used all my free blogger storage (1 Gb) and blogger automatically reduces the size of further uploaded photos. I've deleted some old photos so tonight's post will be a test to see if the original size is maintained. Thanks to those who tried to help me with this one.

In the lose column I'm again having internet connection issues - I couldn't even display my own blog tonight, let alone visit anyone. While I write this (late, because I spent over an hour with the ISP - again !), I have no idea how long it will take, or even if I can post this - if you're reading this, at least it uploaded. Since I've had so many issues (yes, I log all my calls to them) I'm finally getting a 3rd level engineer assigned to do a complete assessment. So - I hope they can find the root cause and fix it. soon. I will again try to come visit you when my connection allows. Thank you for your visits and comments.

(70-200mm  f5.6  1/320 sec  ISO100)

Show time

It's that time of year we, and all nature, have been waiting for - those few moments, relatively speaking, when nature puts on a splendid show. We are most fortunate that we have a number of different (non-domesticated) trees and shrubs scattered around our property. This evening I walked in the glow of the late-day sun and made some shots. Here are (what I believe to be) wild cherry blossoms. Too bad cameras can't capture their fragrance also.

(10-22mm  f5.0  1/500 sec  ISO200)

(60mm  f5.6  1/125 sec  ISO200)

(60mm  f5.6  1/200 sec  ISO200)

(Day 280) Signs of the season

Thursday Oct. 7, 2010

Fall hasn't arrived yet in some parts of the northern hemisphere. The further south you go, the later you'll see the signs of fall. Here, however, there's no mistaking it. Some of the signs are obvious while others require more careful observation. Regardless, the season marches on, sometimes imperceptibly, until suddenly the next season intrudes on the current one.

I went for a drive this afternoon since yesterday's downpour had been replaced by a glorious fall sun, and I sought out some of the signs of the season.

(70-200mm  f11  1/160 sec  ISO200)

The maple trees are at their finest

(70-200mm  f11  1/200 sec  ISO200)

Canada geese are holding a last gathering before heading south

(70-200mm  f11  1/160 sec  ISO200)

bees are collecting the last nectar from wildflowers

(Day 236) Found among the flowers

It was time to mow the lawn again, and I saw that the wildflowers behind the now-empty chicken coop (yes, we had to give the chickens away now that our chicken sitter is off to college) were doing very well. I'll have to post a photo or 2 of them soon. I decided to have a closer look there after the mowing was done, and I noticed a lot of activity among the flowers. Here are a few examples of what I found.

(60mm  f5.6  1/160 sec  ISO200)

not sure what this one was

(60mm  f5.6  1/250 sec  ISO200)

another view


(60mm  f5.6  1/250 sec  ISO200)

this hornet wasn't drinking the nectar; he was here on a more nefarious mission

(60mm  f8  1/250 sec  ISO200)

a busy bee checking out a thistle flower