Experimentating with raw images

       This image  above was taken in raw and then converted to .JPEG, all within my Nikon D 3100 before I downloaded the photos.. I like the rich colour and details of the jay.

 Above I used the 'overlay feature of overlapping  two raw images in my Nikon 3100. I rather like the results of this feature and I shall continue experimenting with it. It is all done in my camera before I download any pictures. above I had used two  rawBluejays images to employ the overlap feature.

Full Moon for Skywatch Friday

y thanks to the hosts of Skywatch Fridayhttp://skyley.blogspot.com/ for continuing to host this very popular Friday skywatch meme. If you would like to post your own photos or just enjoy looking to see the photographic offerings of others, please scroll down this page and look upon the right hand side to click on the skywatch logo to go to the meme. A happy Friday to all

Pine Siskins in Bird Alley

  Yesterday afternoon I was delighted to see a Pine Siskin in Bird Alley.  We hadn't seen one at our feeders since December 19th, 2012.  Pine Siskins have such a beautiful burst of yellow found among their feathers. Just look at the picture above to see what I mean.  They are of the Finch family and often can be found at this time of year with their finch cousins; Common Redpolls and/ or Goldfinches.  We had both Redpolls and Goldfinch visitors yesterday afternoon.  I hope the Siskins return again today.  I enjoy taking their pictures and discovering where their little flashes of yellow are hidden.

Found some deer!

 A drive out and about the countryside yesterday afternoon had its rewards.  I had been hoping to find some deer as I hadn't seen many on my drives this winter.  Yesterday afternoon I saw four!  Oh Happy Day!. From a distance I spied one on the side of the road, then another, a third and Then , oh boy! , A fourth! I wanted to hurry in my approach so I could get a picture of them, before they ran off but reasoning set in as I slowed my approach, and I knew that if I sped up quickly with my car they would be gone, so I approached slowly.

As I got closer one deer leapt from the roadside into the woodsy area alongside it.  Actually that was good.  Deer must learn to scurry away quickly when in the way of approaching vehicles. It just makes good safety sense on their part.

My next exciting sighting  was a beautifully rounded shaped Ruffed Grouse.  It was perched on a snowbank along the side of the road.  As I drove by it didn't register what I was seeing, as I passed  by.  then I recalled a beautiful rounded, puffed up breast, probably because of the freezing temperature.  I was near the end of the road I was on so I hurried ahead to turn and drove back the spot where I thought the Grouse had been... no luck!  Where is it? On my third drive by of the location I saw a grouse walking deeper into the roadside brush.  Darn, I had missed getting a great picture, I shall have to be more alert in my roadside scanning for winter creatures.  As I was mentally chastising myself, I saw movement again, Another Ruffed Grouse along the roadside!  I had missed the second one also.  I guess it was too cold for thinking clearly. No pictures taken , but I shall return again today with a more determined and alert purpose.  Also maybe I can find the deer again.  I hope so.  I love taking pictures of deer.  Now I have a definite purpose to my day.  But it is so cold out!  The temperature is reading _23 degrees C, and that is COLD!

My Winter Geraniums for Ruby Tuesday 2

                               Every winter I bring the geraniums that have been in my summer garden inside.  I usually have great success with them and enjoy their vibrant blooms during the inter months.  However this winter, up until now, We did not have much luck with one plant.  It remained bushy ( see above) and leafy and I  had despaired that it would ever bloom, however this past week my husband  has found some promising buds on the plant.  Probably by next Tuesday I shall have pictures to post of this plant in full bloom.

 

   I am hopeful that these buds will open soon.

                                                  I have had success with a couple of geranium plants this winter  already and enjoy the booms of this red and pink blossom daily ( shown above and below.)

Ruby Tuesday 2 meme features photos with red of any subject. To contribute to this meme please go to;

http://rubytuesday2.blogspot.com/
or just click on the Ruby Tuesday 2 badge at the top of the column on the right hand side of this blog page.

skywatching through my neighbour's window for Skywatch Friday

My computer looks out my window to the west, but often I see the sunrise reflected in my neighbour's window.  This what I saw yesterday morning of the sun creating golden circles on glass windows as I looked to the west.  beautiful! I thought. with a feature on my Nikon D3100 I was able to create the star bursts of light that highlight the photo.

 My thanks to the hosts of Skywatch Fridayhttp://skyley.blogspot.com/ for continuing to host this very popular Friday skywatch meme. If you would like to post your own photos or just enjoy looking to see the photographic offerings of others, please scroll down this page and look upon the right hand side to click on the skywatch logo to go to the meme. A happy Friday to all

Rosy-breasted Redpoll for RubyTuesday 2

Ruby Tuesday 2 meme features photos with red of any subject. To contribute to this meme please go to;
http://rubytuesday2.blogspot.com/
or just click on the Ruby Tuesday 2 badge at the top of the column on the right hand side of this blog page.

Snow bunting: I Found Only one!

I went hunting for Snow Buntings today and I only found one in an area where I often find this species each winter.  I saw something 'white' rise from the bare edge of the road and when I looked up at the roadside wires overhead and I saw this one Snow Bunting perched on the wires. I was hoping to see a small flock but this sighting was better than nothing.  I shall return to this location in a few days hoping to see more of them. In our area we call these birds Snowbirds!

Sunset outside my window for Skywatch Friday

My thanks to the hosts of Skywatch Fridayhttp://skyley.blogspot.com/ for continuing to host this very popular Friday skywatch meme. If you would like to post your own photos or just enjoy looking to see the photographic offerings of others, please scroll down this page and look upon the right hand side to click on the skywatch logo to go to the meme. A happy Friday to all.

Northern Cardinals for Ruby Tuesday 2

                                               Both  the  male and female  Cardinals display a crested profile

      the male Northern Cardinal is  shown above feathered almost completely in red!   He is an outstanding looking bird in the snow!!!

 Above is seen the female Northern Cardinal; her similarities to the male are: they both have orange-red beaks and a black feathered  fringe surrounding the beak.  Also their head silhouettes are very similar in appearance with both displaying a feathered crest.


Ruby Tuesday 2 meme features photos with red of any subject. To contribute to this meme please go to;
http://rubytuesday2.blogspot.com/

Sunlight Design on Windows for Mellow Yellow Monday

    While sitting at my computer this morning I was at a loss as to what to post for today.  I had no photos that highlighted yellow.  then I looked up,out the window, and I saw beautiful spots of reflected sunlight on my neighbour's window.  I think there was a hidden message as the circular design the light made seemed to resemble the recycle logo.  Yes, I think that's it.  On this cold , freezing winter's morning, with a temperature of -15 degrees C,  there is a sign remninding us of the need to recycle to help aid the environment and to conserve the earth and its energy.  Heads up everyone.  Its important!

    Got pictures with yellow that you would like to share? Why not post them on Mellow Yellow Monday, a delightful meme that focuses on the colour yellow?Just clink here:http://mellowyellowmonday.blogspot.com/ to access this meme

Another Red Squirrel for Camera Critters

This little sweet looking furry creature is always around Bird Alley.  It is never lacking an opportunity to snack.

Camera Critters is a meme that features critters, any kind, any size. To see more of this meme please click on the CC logo which can be found on the right sidebar on this page or please click here.http://camera-critters.blogspot.com/

Common Redpolls in Bird Alley

 These sweet little red-capped bird, Common Redpolls are always very welcome in Bird Alley.  I didn't see any last winter so it is a treat to see them appear this winter. there doesn't seem to be much variety in their appearance this year as yet. I have been watching for one with a really outstanding rosy breast, but as yet haven't seen any .  Of course I am always watching and hoping to see a hoary Redpoll.  I have had such visitors before so I shall be watching daily for such an occurance.  Its cold here this morning.  My oudoors theromometer reads at -20 degrees C.  Brrrr.!!!!! That is too cold for me as I plan on going out today to rescue my bird feeders that are almost all covered with snow. But not to worry birdies, I still have two feeders near the house that can be refilled by reaching out my sunroom window.