Day 31, Tuesday

What a glorious day!  Plus 12 degrees C, and sunny.  Who would have expected it on the last day of January!  So I celebrated it with a little walk up to the historic church to take some pictures.  I used my wide angle, and would love to go again and use my long zoom to get some shots of the details in the stonework.

Day 30, Monday

A busy day, but I still managed to get this very cute shot of one of my favourite seed bell visitor.  I don't know why I see the female so much more often,  but they are welcome any time.  As a bonus, I'm also including this charming portrait of a mourning dove, a much rarer visitor.  Cheers!

WEEK 5 - Day 29, Sunday

It was snowy today, but still relatively warm, so I ventured out for a short while.  (My cough is much better, but still not gone altogether.)  I went back to a one of my favourite nearby spots - Lake Gibson.  If you search on my Flickr stream, you'll find shots from all the year round!

The lighting was really difficult - fresh snow, brilliant sun and sparkling water.  But I did my best, and hopefully you will enjoy the shots I managed to get.

Day 28 - Saturday

I've been yearning to get outside to do some landscapes, but the weather is miserable today.  Rain, snow, rain, snow, and then more rain.  Ugh!
What I did have was some finchy visitors at my feeder.  The goldfinch males are definitely starting to turn colour - a first sign of spring for sure!  I've had the finches as regular visitors, and I'm even starting to be able to tell individuals apart.  The males in particular have some pattern of black right around the beak.

Goldfinch male in changing plumage

Goldfinch Female

Goldfinch female not very happy at having to wait her turn at the feeder.

Goldfinch Male in changing plumage

House Finch Male

House Finch Male

Day 27 - Friday

After many weeks of dull dreary cloud-covered days, punctuated infrequently by brilliant sun, I thought it was time for a little colour.  So when I was in the supermarket, I picked up a couple of potted violets.  They looked quite pretty, but the light was quite dim so it was hard to shoot.  My goodness, I really have to get some lights! And learn how to use them, of course.

Day 26 - Thursday

The new black backdrop worked beautifully!  The blacker background made a big difference in my chess series.  I got lots of good shots!

Day 25 - Wednesday

I didn't get a chance to reshoot the chess pieces, but I did buy the drop cloths.  Instead I shot some residents from our little cactus garden.

Day 24 - Tuesday

Today I was trying something a little more challenging.  A beautiful chess set with a marble board.  I had some great ideas, and I was pleased with what I got, but I saw some shortcomings, so I am going to give it another go tomorrow.  One thing I need to get,definitely!, is a better black back drop.  That poster board is just not black enough!  So here's what I got today, and we'll see if I can do better tomorrow after picking up a nice black drop cloth.