Spring Into Gratitude

Have you ever noticed how a spring walk in the park will bring out those natural feelings of gratitude. There is nothing like awakening from a long winter's nap. Everywhere you look there are signs of nature celebrating the season.

And this is a great time to take advantage of the new photo opportunities. You may have to pick up a leaf or two but the opportunities are there just the same. Now is a great time to play with all those new settings on your camera too.

Jonquils are more than willing to put on a show and pose for you. Put yourself in a position of looking up and you have a larger than life view. And if you're lucky enough to have one of those cameras with a mobile display, you can get really creative.

Spring is the time for May Flowers. Now if you know anything about these wildflowers that grow only in may, you know that they are protected by huge umbrella like leaves. This is an example of me learning how to stretch my arms in front of me and face the display my way. It is also an example of how your eyes can play tricks on you. And the camera has a mind of its own. Click on the thumbnail and notice how the focus is on my shoe not the flower. Don't worry I did get some good pictures of the may flowers and will be posting them on my main site soon.


I love finding wild violets on the ground. This year they seem to be everywhere. I think this might be because this spring is a bit cooler than usual. So photo enthusiast that I am I was out there capturing as many as I can.

I even received a picture of one from my friend in Norway. Sharleen has been sharing her adventures with me for a while now. This winter she posted several magpie pictures. Her captions tell cute little stories of delight and humor.

Spring wouldn't be spring without the baby birds, ducks and geese. This baby Canadian Goose looks like he is watching me. These are times when using the zoom really comes in hand.

Mother and Father watch closely over their brood and geese have been known to go after anyone or anything that appears to be a threat to their babies. But then mothers do tend to protect their young no matter what shape we come in.

Here is a photography tip for you. This picture was taken using the maximum zoom on my camera. I didn't have a tripod and my hand was not as steady as it could be. I was afraid the chick would leap away before I got the shot.

Notice how fuzzy the picture is? It appears to be grainy. This is what is known as "noise". It will disqualify the picture from being used in any professional standard. Even if it is a cute baby chick. Using a tripod does help cut down on the dangers of noise in your pictures.

One more spring picture I want to share with great gratitude. This is the time of year when the Great Blue Herons return from their long winter vacation to parts unknown. I saw three of them at "Hidden Lake" last week.

While on that walk we happened to meet a bird watcher along the path. We had great fun swapping nature tales. During the conversation she mentioned "Church Hill Forest Preserve" where there is a "rookery". Just the thought of visiting a colony of nesting cranes had me jumping for joy.

This Great Blue Heron is just one of the rewards of being in the right place at the right time. But then is there really in wrong place and time with nature?

The key to nature photography is having fun. Every walk is sure to reveal something new for your viewing and listening pleasure.

To your spring gratitude,

Sally

P.S. Be sure and click on the thumbnails to get a better view of each picture.