My Portrait of A Robin

Date: April 11, 2011

Robin Redbreast

Nikon Photo

I have been trying to clean up my old MacBookAir dated late 2010. For some reason, I cannot transfer the photos to the newer laptop I got two years ago. This is my favorite bird photo of all time and I'm so glad I have it again. I had to email it from my old computer to my new one. I have flocks of robins that live on and around my cottage. The same Mother Robin aways builds a nest under my balcony floor and raises at least two families. I do hope she returns again this year. I had to clean out all the old nests when I had my balcony floor power washed underneath last year before my house was painted. I had two workers power wash the upper balcony floor, my house, the picket fence, front walk, and the barn/garage too. My workers were fabulous and my Trex deck flooring looks new again after 20 years. I still marvel at how nice my house looks after wood repairs, two new coats of white paint, and changing the shutters and front door color to black.

I can vividly remember taking this photo while holding my breath and getting as close as I possibly could before snapping the shutter. I like to think this handsome bird was posing for me. xo

Cooper's Hawk Staring at Me

COOPER'S HAWK VISIT TODAY

He didn't stay long but I got quite a few poses. I wonder if he could see me through the window glass into my living room when I was photographing or if he could only see his reflection. He never flinched and I got quite a few shots just like this one only with his head looking in different directions. I know he is a predator of small birds but he didn't seem interested and was looking far away. I hope he spotted some mice because, as you all know by now, I am afraid of them. He last visited me on December 26th. The little birds came right back as soon as he flew away. This is my excitement for the day. xo

A Beautiful Cardinal on My Balcony

This is a better photo of a cardinal than the last one I posted. There was a real frenzy at my feeder all day because the birds were trying to power up for the coming storm with wind and snow. It's her at the time of this posting (8pm) and so far it's not too bad. I hope I will be pleasantly surprised when I wake up tomorrow morning. Fingers crossed. xo

Mourning Doves at My Cottage Today

I took this photo in the morning before it started snowing. It was cold as you can see by the puffed up one on the left and I am thrilled that the one on the right is turned to show his true colors.

I got a nice frontal profile on this one. The first snow was just a nice dusting that I could sweep away with the greatest of ease -- my favorite kind. xo

Father Fox Hunting at My Cottage

These photos are right out of my Nikon with the big telephoto lens and are huge if you care to enlarge. One of my girlfriends doesn't believe that I have a fox family living on my property. I have a den of three living in the "way back" and this must be the father. I watched him for a long time and he went home without catching anything for his mate and child kit. I included a photo of my bird bath to prove the photos are mine. Just kidding Karen.

Bluebirds are Back at My Cottage Again

It rained all day yesterday and most of the night so all of my bird baths are full. Today the bluebirds can drink and pose for me. I love the mirror image and the blue sky reflecting in the water.
Click photos to enlarge.

My photos. Have a great weekend.

December Bluebirds at My Cottage

This photo is very grainy because I was so far away. I was thrilled when I looked out my kitchen window and saw quite a few bluebirds flying around the bluebird house. I grabbed my Nikon and clicked away but I forgot I had it on a manual setting. Anyway, here is the best photo cropped quite a bit for you to see.

Praying Mantis Portrait

I discovered another alien among us while pruning the boxwood yesterday. He was very friendly and stayed around watching me work until I finished and went inside.  He was huge, as long as my hand. Click photo to enlarge. my Nikon photo

I took this one with my iPhone.

Maxfield Parrish Clouds at My Cottage

We've had some very nice sunset cloud formations lately here at my cottage. I ran outside to capture this one with my Nikon last week because it reminded me of a Maxfield Parrish illustration in a book of fairy tales. Agreed? Click photo to enlarge.

Wild Grape Vine Detail

     Photographed here at the cottage one day this week while on a nature walk with Webster. I love the shape, color and intricate design on wild grape leaves and this one is perfect. Stay cool in this heat wave. Ours is supposed to break on Sunday and I cannot wait. I am so tired of having the air conditioning on 24/7. It's okay during the day, but I really miss sleeping with my windows open.

     The big walk-in closet is empty downstairs. I cleaned it top to bottom yesterday and it looks so nice. I took a break for a few days but now I am moved to continue dealing with my mother's ground level dwelling. I have donated most of the clothes and am feeling good about that. She had the best taste in classic dresses and jumpers that never go out of style. I put aside a few of my favorites and I have them airing outside. Don't ask me why but one day I'll know the reason. 

     There was an interesting segment recently on NPR about "The Global Afterlife of Your Donated Clothes". I didn't know that 80% of all donated clothing ends up in the hands of textile recyclers. Anyway, it's better than having them end up in the landfill. Article and podcast here. Read it and weep.

     Have a great weekend and try to keep cool. I'll see you later.

Webster On The Move

Click photo to enlarge.

Webster and I just got back from a walk after a brief shower. It's so muggy out there you can hardly get your breath. My camera lens was fogging over after a minute or two but I did manage to get a decent picture of the Wonder Dog. Did I ever mention he's addicted to air conditioning? Last night was the first time this year I left it running all night long. I think I'll leave on tonight too. Good night all. Have a great July 4th.

Two Cool Moon Photos Last Night

This photo of the moon was on auto-focus and then posterized.

This one was focused manually and then posterized. It really is a supermoon. It's the largest and brightest full moon of 2013 and it will be an official full moon tonight. This celestial event started last night at sunset and that's when I took my photos. my Nikon photos

My Bathroom Window

I took this photo with my Nikon yesterday morning while the sun was shining on the top of the radiator and a gentle breeze was blowing behind the curtains. Hopefully the rain we have been having to make this the wettest June on record is behind us. I see bright sun for 5 consecutive days on my iPhone's weather app. Let's hope it's right because we really need to dry out!!!

Dragonfly on My Front Walk

Click photo to enlarge.

He is still out there basking in the hot sun. The photo straight out of my Nikon was very boring against the bluestone background so I played around with the saturation and a few other things and got this. We don't have any cicadas but I can hear them singing faintly in towns nearby. When you drive through those towns, the sound is very loud. This lone alien dragonfly suits me just fine.
I took my best dragonfly photo back in 2009. Click here to see it.

Delightful Children's Bedroom

Click photos to enlarge.

I have been very busy with real estate last week and this week with a new listing that went on the MLS yesterday. This is one of the bedrooms shared by two little girls. Isn't it fabulous? I had a broker open house today and everyone loved it. Cross your fingers for me and the sellers. my photos

Webster, The Guardian

Webster loves to sit outside and guard the house. He doesn't need a leash because he knows he would never find a better home. He's very protective and he knows the boundaries. He doesn't like for other four legged animals such as the fox trespassing on HIS terrain. He will chase them to the edge but he won't go off the property. He is the best dog ever. He has misinterpreted the name of the lush flowers nearby. He thinks they are 'Pee-on-these' so he does. Ha.ha. Click photo to enlarge so you can see how lovely the peonies are since they have opened fully. It's raining softly now and many white petals are on the ground so they are on their way out. Boo Hoo.

Coffee with Dog Biscuits

I start each morning with soy milk heated in the microwave for my coffee. Webster starts his with four dog biscuits from this container. The sound of the lid being removed from the glass base brings him running. If I forget, he stands at the counter beside the sink and barks for his treats. my photo

My Kitchen Sink with Daffodils

In a previous post, I blogged about the history of my recycled white porcelain double farm sink. I was just looking through some old photos and came across the lead photo with two big bunches of daffodils on the ledge. My mother and I picked them at an old abandoned farm house where we used to go to pick lilacs in the spring. I forgot to do it this year. I don't remember picking my own daffodils either. Next year, I shall. If you missed it, read more about my wonderful sink here. my photo

Cat Naps Are Wonderful Things

Especially after breakfast on a cool, damp summer morning when the grass is too wet for outside sleeping. I have chores to do or I would jump in with her. Webster is stretched out on the rug in the guest room so it's very quiet around here. I think that heat wave we had wore everyone out! 

Folding Deck Chairs - Curbside Find

I found these very nice folding deck chairs someone put out for curbside pick up. I like them a lot and they are in perfect condition. They are ideal for the far side of my balcony. I never cease to be amazed at what people toss out. They are the same color even though the one on the right looks more golden because it was in the sun. They fold into a nice tight package and will take up almost no room in my garage when the season is over. See you tomorrow.