Positively Photographing Birds ( in Winter)

 by Mauverneen

I love watching my birds and I love photographing them. And in winter, it's a good pastime to help pass time. That said, I have to add - they are a challenge. They're quick. And unpredictable. And uncooperative. And infuriating. So often by the time I get my camera focused on them, they are gone. Lots of blurry shots. Delete, delete, delete. Digital was invented for times like these. So, I set my camera up on the tripod and pick a spot. 

I decide to focus on the feeder they have been swarming. They all decide to land on the branch and take a look first. Make sure it's safe. Ok. So I focus on the branch where about 50 of them have just taken turns sitting. They all decide to bypass the branch and go directly to the feeder. Ok, back to focusing on the branch. They all decide to bypass the branch and go directly...  

And so it goes. Somehow they know. Somehow, they know.

But I still love them so I will be back tomorrow, or later today, or just stay here for another hour and keep trying. They have issued the challenge.  

As I pour myself another cup of coffee I can see out the window. A bird. A beautiful bird. Sitting perfectly still right where my camera is focused. Of course.  But am I there, hand on the trigger? Of course not. I took 15 seconds to go pour myself some coffee.

Sometimes I get lucky. Luck, along with doses of patience and perseverance. And maybe a little sympathy on the part of the bird. After all, they know. I know that they know.

There is one species however that will sit and pose happily as long as there is seed available. The Gray Long-tailed Wannabe! 

As always, words and photos are my own, and require permission to reprint.

However, feel free to share the blog in it's entirety. In fact, I encourage it!

Interested in photo prints? Contact me! maureenblevins@yahoo.com

See more photos at http://fineartamerica.com/profiles/1-mauverneen-blevins.html

and visit my website:  mauveonthemove.com

Positively February

 by Mauverneen

Happy February!

My backyard. Notice the birds on the table off the deck. 

 The shortest month of the year. That means just a little bit less winter. We just had our big snowfall of the year - about 9". Typical for a "big" winter storm in these parts. Some people had a lot more, but 9" is enough. Believe me. 

Locals may well remember this store. It's a sturdy yardstick!

My wonderful neighbor and his two young sons have been keeping my driveway cleared. It's about 90 feet long. Which means they do theirs and then they do mine. They are awesome neighbors. I had to say thank you somehow, so I baked them an apple pie. I hope they like apple pie.

February brings Valentine's Day - the 14th, and Mardi Gras - the 16th. I've had my Mardi Gras wreath on my door since I took took the Christmas one down. 

Mardi Gras! I love the colors! And the sparkle! 

I keep the birds fed - a little more seed in the feeders this time of year. It's so cold. And the feeders are swarmed with birds of all kinds. I have my camera set up in a window, hoping to take some good photos. I've taken a lot of photos. 

Well, there's still feed in the feeder, and I know I'm missing something so I will go pour my self another cup of coffee and stand watch at that window. Oh, and I have apple pie. You don't think I wouldn't make one for myself while I was at it do you? 

As always, words and photos are my own, and require permission to reprint.
However, feel free to share the blog in it's entirety. In fact, I encourage it!
Interested in photo prints? Contact me! maureenblevins@yahoo.com
See more photos at http://fineartamerica.com/profiles/1-mauverneen-blevins.html
and visit my website:  mauveonthemove.com

Positively Frosted

 by Mauverneen

It's been a good week. 

The holidays are over. I took down my Christmas tree and decorations and as always, it looks so bare. It makes me want to redecorate, spruce things up, liven them up. It's just not the same without the Christmas lights. But I've been distracted. 

It's not all that hard to distract me, but there's been some snow, and some frost, and the world beyond my door is beautiful. I know, it's not the same if you have to drive in it. But it's beautiful all the same. And nothing makes me lose myself more than having something to photograph. So, I put on my boots...

It's white, and it's wondrous, and, except for the crunching of my boots on the snow,  it's silent. Frost on branches, snow on weeds, ice crystals, it all looks enticing. Like frosting on cake, it looks delicious. I'm lost in a winter wonderland. Trite words, but there are no others. 

Getting back inside and checking my photographs on my computer screen I am disappointed. The pictures have not done it justice. Some are blurry and some are just blah. Looks like I'll just have to put my boots back on...

Upside down world in my lensball

Autumn's leftovers

Tomato cages in the garden

As always, words and photos are my own, and require permission to reprint.

However, feel free to share the blog in it's entirety. In fact, I encourage it!

Interested in photo prints? Contact me! maureenblevins@yahoo.com

See more photos at http://fineartamerica.com/profiles/1-mauverneen-blevins.html

and visit my website:  mauveonthemove.com

Positively A New Year!

 by Mauverneen

Searching online for something, I came across this. It's a 100 year old magazine cover from the Country Gentleman. I thought it quite appropriate. Exactly what 2020 deserves. Keep reading for a look back, forward, and a little history on New Years.

       Just two more days and 2020 is history! Good Riddance, I say. I don't know of anyone who is sorry to see it go. I hope none of you were sick with the virus, or that you lost anyone close to you. Personally, I know several people that had it - two of them with severe cases - but thankfully, all have pulled through. I hope with all my heart that we can get back to 'gathering' at some point and in some fashion this coming year. Family gatherings have been few and far between for most of us, and - odd. Outdoors we can keep our distance; indoors, well, I think we each have dealt with that  a bit differently.

        Realistically, I don't have too much hope for the next couple of months, but I am keeping a positive outlook on spring, summer, and fall. There are events I hope to attend, and places I want to go, and people I want to see. I can't wait to say hello - and maybe even share a hug, if we're allowed. It will be good to feel social again. 

     March was originally the first month in the old Roman calendar, January became the first month of the calendar year around 450 BC. The month of January is named after the Roman god of doors, Janus, because this month is the door into the new year. Janus is also called the two-faced god, supposedly possessing the ability to see the into the past and into the future. Most of us typically look both ways - backwards and forwards - on New Year's Eve and New Year's Day. I think there will be a lot more of that this year. Looking back into 2020, I know I will never forget it. What a disaster! 

      Looking ahead into 2021 I think most of us are doing so with faith, and hope, and expectations of, if not 'normal-as-we-knew-it, at least a 'transition' back to that lovely 'normal'.

     May 2021 bring us all a little comfort and a lot of joy!     

As always, words and photos are my own, and require permission to reprint.

However, feel free to share the blog in it's entirety. In fact, I encourage it!

Interested in photo prints? Contact me! maureenblevins@yahoo.com

See more photos at http://fineartamerica.com/profiles/1-mauverneen-blevins.html

and visit my website:  mauveonthemove.com

Positively Sneaky Christmas

 by Mauverneen

Christmas is in a few days.

How is it that Christmas always manages to sneak up on us?  We all know it's coming, we count down the months, then the days. We have a whole year to get ready for it. And yet...

At the last minute it's always OhMyGodChristmasisnextweek! Christmasisthisweek! 

I know there are people out there who have it all under control. I'm not one of them. I have good intentions, I really do. During the year I'll see something in a shop, on the internet, and think 'Oh, so and so would love that!' And then, generally, it falls to the back of my mind. Until about a week before Christmas and then I regretfully wish I had bought it and I'm scrambling to find something equally fitting. 

This year - the year of Covid (ugh!) - has been especially hard. I haven't really been anywhere to pick up anything unique and I certainly don't feel like mingling with the hoards of masked shoppers - not that there are many stores to even shop at these days. Actually I might feel safe with all those masks - fewer germs of any kind are being spread. I have spent more time on the internet than I should have, but it's like any other shopping trip - I find more for myself than I do for anyone else. I've been trying to talk my family into a self-exchange - you buy something for yourself and tell the other person "Look! This is what you got me. Thank you! I love it!" And they do the same. No more wrong sizes, colors, not-my-taste, exchanging things at the mall only to find they are out of everything. The perfect gift.

Ah well. 

May you all have a lovely Christmas!