EAVES-DROPPING(s)

We tried to dissuade them in April, being as the real estate Mr. Robin selected is in a busy place near our patio door.  But while we were gone in May, he built his home for Mrs. Robin right here anyway.

"Just two of us

in our home of sticks":

"Before we knew it,

babies make six!"

Mama looks more exotic here than a robin because

of the filtered sunlight dappling her feathers:

Anyone who knows me well will be shocked to see this pic.

Yes, I actually post Papa with his worm offering!

(Shudder, shudder!)

But the babies were too cute to pitch this photo:

"Lookie over here!  It will fit better in my beak!"

Do birdlings' beaks ever come unhinged?

I can't help but imagine this little guy is a Tattle-"tail".

"Waa. She pinched me!"

This photo is dedicated to my patient sister-in-law, Barb.

She didn't think me rude when I dropped the phone while she was talking

to grab my camera for this:

GARDEN "PURTY"

Cabin fever is at epidemic proportions.  Photo buddy, P, and I went out a couple of days ago when there was merely a possibility of "sunbreaks".  We will take it on a promise these days!

The botanical gardens always beckon. This time we went with a self-imposed challenge to experiment with our macro lenses, using aperture settings that would "float" most of the flower and focus on only a small part. I could not really get the hang of it. 

This and the following 3 posts are from the same outing.

 

I tried to like the results, but I can't help judging that it is simply

"out of focus".

THEY DO NOT STAND ALONE

It did not take me long at all to determine that I do not like the effect of almost an entire flower looking out of focus, even if it is on purpose.  To me the result feels "unfinished", like I want to adjust the lens and bring it all to clarity.

The following photos were in the pitch pile until I noticed the effect the settings had on the backgrounds.

They each look as if they have been watercolored, or even digitally tweaked.

Eeek, no!  I never, ever enhance or ditz around with my photos.

If I can't "take it" the way I want, well, out they go.

I love the coloring of these backgrounds.  Maybe I will use these settings after all,  just to

capture great backdrops!

 Gotta' have that bee!

WILLING SUBJECTS

I didn't want all my photos to have this "new look", especially since I am not really sold on it. 

I like the etherial look with some flowers, but I am not ready to

adapt the style.

In fact, most of those with the aperture adjustments I will

simply pitch out.

So, I tried some with a compromise focus:

I think these blossoms look like they have a case of the giggles!

Mr. Bee must know that his outfit is enhanced by his choice of surroundings:

STILL EXPERIMENTING

I started to tire - yes! - I admit it.  We were snapping photos at every turn, and turn again.  I opted out of using my monopod, so I was toting that separately and it became a hindrance.  The settings I used at the end were for trying to get a subject to look like it was immerging from the dark.

Conclusions from all my efforts today:

I have a lot to learn.

and:

I love the learning process!

 The token bee:

THROUGH THE PALOUSE

The last days of our trip were spent with our oldest grandson and his wife who are at WSU in Pullman.

We have come to love it there, enlarging our appreciation of geography to include

the "wide open spaces" of the Palouse.

 The clear definition of rotated crops offers a very satisfying, soothing composition:

And barns are set in wide open spaces too:

Contented cows, in pastures flank-deep:

This saddle-backed barn needed closer inspection:

 Another view of the striations in the landscape,

and a person with a real view: