The Raptor Center is so close to home, that I seem to be a returning guest there. I do not particularly enjoy struggle with cage’s grids, but sometimes the picture will come out all right and the birds are interesting there and, by being contained, easy to photograph in various poses and at various angles.

I almost didn’t post today. Almost. But then I remembered I got a picture ready yesterday. I was looking for my blurry image, when I found this one. These flowers were part of prairie exhibition in the outside walk in Reiman Garden. I think the background might be a bit too busy for those simple flowers, but I still got some of the selective effect.

I saw this type of photos for the first time taken by William Neill, I think. And in Brenda’s Tharp book. And then, in last paper edition of Lens Work, there was an announcement of upcoming James Bourret portfolio, which was to appear in Extended Edition. It finally arrived yesterday, I looked right away, and then again today. I am very much under the impression of the colorful impressionistic images. Look for yourself.

Although they are not presenting any distinguishable shapes or objects, I enjoy these photos just because of their color. As the winter and brown-gray environment seems to be finally over, I am setting out to add to my portfolio of still subject panning.

This marine is just few minutes away from my house (and few others, in different directions ), but I have to admit I never noticed this station before. It caught my eye this time, with regular pattern of bays and the red details on pumps. And blue background of the lake behind it.

I can hardly believe that this week is gone, and that I didn’t have real time to post. Especially, that I have some good photos taken last few weeks. It was so stressful and exhausting, I wasn’t even firing up the Mac in the evening….
Anyway, some abstract image today.
We have been hiking last weekend, and while picnicking on the river bank, I took out camera trying to get some photos of the water surface. The day was cloudy, so the sky reflection and sediment beneath the surface didn’t create pleasing colors. I admit, I did some fixing in Lightroom, playing with quite a few sliders to achieve much better color for my impression.

Finally, I have time today to look back and arrange photos I have been taking on weekend. Between Easter, house guest, hiking, working and partying, it is not easy to find time even to delete bad ones . Anyway, I bought those orange Asian lilies to decorate the table for Easter breakfast. And to introduce some spring, as the nature apparently refuses us this simple and timely pleasure this year. I have been photographing them over and over again, with Lensbaby and macro filter. It is just an example of the outcome.

Short today- I am stuffed and some hiking in windy, 54F weather didn’t help much. I am just going to spend an evening in front of TV. Happy Easter!

Since I am already at patterns, let’s post some more. The alley of benches in Reiman Gardens.

Spring should be coming pretty soon, so maybe finally we will see some more awakening in nature like this early one from about a month ago…Since then, it snowed few times, and temperature dropped to at least 10F, probably hurting the early starters.
I like the shallow depth of field in this photograph, and repeating pattern of plants spreading behind the one green leaf.

Some more from Blank Park Zoo trip. This monkey made for an interesting photo, as the red on its face contrasts with the brown fur and gray environment, drawing attention to it.