Photo Edits

Wow,I am falling way behind in posting.I have been busy, enjoying life and have not taken the time to post regularly.OK, enough of the excuses, so here I am with another post.

Photography is so much more than just capturing the moment, although that is very enjoyable. In today's digital world it would seem that most, if not all pictures need to be edited. Most of the time these edits include some cropping and perhaps exposure adjustments. Sometimes a picture lends itself to more creative editing.

Under the guidance of my son,Steve,I edited the following pictures to show them at their best.

I don't remember all the steps I took, but I know that this one had more contrast added, to bring out the details in the snow. I also cropped it.

This is the same picture as the one above, but it has been turned into a black and white.I think this shot lends itself well to this look.

An early spring rain left droplets on the trees, so I simply had to capture the moment.

Here,I also darkened the picture and again added some contrast.

Similar editing as the one above with the addition of  more pleasing cropping.

The frost that builds up around the heated birdbaths is often quite pretty. Once again, the picture was darkened to bring out more details and contrast added.This picture is cropped into a narrow rectangle.

This is the same picture as the one above, but a slightly different crop.This one shows a little more of the reflection in the water.

I am certain that under Steve's guidance I added more editing steps, but I don't remember them ,so I have shared what I do recall. What it comes down to is, edit so that the picture is pleasing to you.

Closing Thought:

I can click a shutter button or edit the captured image, but in the end we must realize that 

Nature is the art of God.

Relax and Enjoy

I hope that wherever you are you are enjoying the start of spring weather. It is a mild day here today and I'm loving it.Looking forward to many more days like it.

I have some pictures taken in the last month or so that I wish to share.

Yes, there is still snow on the ground, even as I'm typing this, but soon that will only be a memory.

This stone lying in one of my flower beds looked kind of interesting with the snow on it.

Mrs. Pileated has been a regular visitor to the suet at my window feeder. Yes,those spots are suet and other debris that the birds have flung onto the window. It will get cleaned once the temperatures are warmer, but until then, we put up with it.

The Black-capped Chickadee also enjoys the suet. Due to a camera that shoots multiple photos quite fast,I got this one in the act of eating.

Now,I must confess that I did not take this picture, although it was taken with my camera. Steve was sitting in the passenger seat as we drove through the Pembina Valley and asked me to stop so he could get this picture. I rather like it.

Now that is one grumpy looking bird, if ever I saw one. I hope this picture puts a smile on your face.

Closing Thought:

Stop every now and then. Just stop and enjoy.

Take a deep breath. Relax and take in the abundance of life.

Sunset and Inspirations

I enjoy going out in the calm of the evening to capture the sunset.Some times I get to be witness to spectacular sky scenes and at other times it is more subdued, but either way,  it is wonderful to witness this special time. The beauty of it is that it happens daily so there are many chances to watch this and get pictures, as well.

Today, instead of a lot of chatter from me,I will share some quotes that I have found to be meaningful.I trust they will encourage, bless and inspire you.

None of us knows what the next change is going to

 be, what unexpected opportunity is just around the corner, waiting to change the tenor of our lives.

( Kathleen Norris)

Avoid looking forward or backward, try to keep looking upward.

( Charlotte Bronte)

I know that God is faithful.

I know that He answers prayers, many times in ways I may not understand.

(Shiela Walsh)

All my life through, the new sights of nature made me rejoice like a child.

( Marie Curie)

Live your life while you have it.

Life is a splendid gift— there is nothing small about it.

( Florence Nightingale)

Closing Thought:

God bless you and utterly satisfy your heart….with Himself.

( Amy Carmichael)

Sunday Afternoon Drive

What to do on a sunny,Sunday afternoon in winter? I know, grab my camera and head out of town.There must be something worth capturing.

That is exactly what happened a week or two ago.Just me and my camera, heading out of town to see what we could find.

I did't have to go far to find some scenes worth capturing.

Some snow has already melted, but there is still enough to create a contrast.

The varied shapes of these old trees caught my attention.

Off in a pasture,I saw this shack surrounded by trees. I think this may be a storage shed or may not even be used at all.It did help to make an interesting scene.

Some of my readers will recognize this scene. I have taken pictures here before,in other seasons.

Thanks for joining me on yet another ride in the country,my country,southern Manitoba.

If you are willing, we can do this again, maybe next time we can see touches of new green growth, and if not, then we will find beauty in whatever lies before us.

Closing Thought:

The more you give, the more you get—

The more you laugh, the less you fret.

Birds,Birds,Birds

The photo opportunities are less around here during the winter months.Less,but certainly not boring.

As long as the birds show up at the feeder, there is excitement.

Here are some birds which I can count on to show up at the feeder daily.

The little Red-breasted Nuthatch is a delight to watch. These guys are quite comfortable with people around and allow me to get fairly close.All but one picture in this post taken through a dirty window so some of the spots may be suet flicked against the window,by the birds.

This is one picture not taken through a window. On a warmer day,I was standing on the deck and the Black-capped Chickadee came for a drink at the heated bird bath. The wind was ruffling his feathers a bit, but that didn't seem to bother him at all.

Another visit by the Nuthatch.I'm not sure if he was trying to tell me to put the camera down,or if he was just eating the suet.

The Chickadee posed just long enough for me to get this shot.He is sitting on top of a recently placed block of suet.

The Pileated Woodpecker also makes regular visits to the suet feeder.Here I got her picture before she came to the feeder. Compared to the diminutive Nuthatch and Chickadee,this bird is huge.

Some of these pictures have been posted to Facebook before.I was "test driving" a new camera, the Panasonic Lumix FZ2500. I am quite impressed with the quality of photos it produces.

Closing Thought:

What you do today is important because you are exchanging a day of your life for it.