Graceful Peony – Woodblock Print

Single Peony – Woodblock, a photo by Fergiemoto on Flickr.  (click on photo to enlarge)

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delicate pink chicks
shielded by caressing arms
silken peony
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This image of a single peony is another photomanipulation I did to digitally convert a photo into the likeness of an old Japanese woodblock print.

Single peonies are composed of one or more rows of a few broad petals, known as guard petals, which surround a center of pollen-bearing stamens, which in turn surround the pistil.  I believe the name of this peony is Sea Shell.  I like how delicate and silky the petals are, and how the formation of stamens and pistils looks like a birds nest.

Hope your week is off to a splendid start!

Here is the original photo I started with:

Peony, a photo by Fergiemoto on Flickr.  (click on photo to enlarge)

Feeding the Hummingbirds!

Hummingbird Dialogue 1, a photo by Fergiemoto on Flickr.  (click on photo to enlarge)

Weekly Photo Challenge: In the Background

Triple Opportunity, a photo by Fergiemoto on Flickr.  (click on photo to enlarge)

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unplanned camouflage
invisible in plain sight
background activity
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Refocus your attention to reveal a new perspective, or a new world!
(Did you also notice the little black bee in the photo?  I felt quite lucky to have captured a shot with three little critters!)

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This week’s WordPress Photo Challenge encourages us to
share a picture that says In the Background.

Linking up with:
CAMERA CRITTERS
WEEKLY TOP SHOT
MACRO MONDAY

My Favorite Daffodil – Woodblock Print

Daffodil Replete Woodblock, a photo by Fergiemoto on Flickr.  (click on photo to enlarge)

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sipping peach cocktails
dreaming among soft sunsets
daffodil garden
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This is a photomanipulation to digitally convert a photo into the likeness of an old Japanese woodblock print. I last posted one of these styles over a year ago. How time flies!

The image is of a double daffodil variety named Replete, one of my favorite types of daffodils.  They are beautifully shaped blooms that are peach/pink with snow white.  It’s wonderful to be surrounded by these beauties while enjoying a refreshing cocktail!

Hope you are having a wonderful week!

P.S. Here is the photo I started with:

Daffodil Replete, a photo by Fergiemoto on Flickr.
(click on photo to enlarge)

 Linking up with:
MACRO MONDAY
TUESDAY MUSE
NATURE NOTES

Weekly Photo Challenge: Escape

Majestic #2, a photo by Fergiemoto on Flickr.  (click on photo to enlarge)

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trying to flee my lens
little do they realize
nature is my escape
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There are two forms of escape represented in this photo.  The Great Blue Heron is escaping me, and I escaped to nature.

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This week’s WordPress Photo Challenge encourages us to
share a picture that means escape to you.

Linking up with:
CAMERA CRITTERS
THE BIRD D’POT
WEEKLY TOP SHOT

Wild Weekly Photo Challenge: Movement / Robin

Robins Bath 01, a photo by Fergiemoto on Flickr.  (click on photo to enlarge)

This is an American Robin who loves taking dips in the birdbath. He has established an almost daily bathing ritual, and is quite fun to watch.

Here he was this morning, back for his usual bath.  I hope you enjoy the photos!

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Spring Is Teasing Us Again

Daffodil Macro, a photo by Fergiemoto on Flickr.  (click on photo to enlarge)

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snow melts into spring
and nature flaunts lavish costumes
flourishing blossoms
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It seems like spring has been postponed for us again…and again.  Just when we think spring has finally arrived, it quickly withdraws, acquiescing to  snow.  This past Monday morning, we woke up to snow and cold temperatures, which will continue into Wednesday.

I took this photo exactly one year ago on April 17, 2012.  At that time, all of the daffodils were in full bloom and the tulips were just starting to bloom.  Right now, none of the daffodils have bloomed, although a few are close, and the tulips probably won’t start until next week.  The trees are only showing small hints of green, which will eventually turn into lush, full leaves.

So…we wait for spring…still…and then we will celebrate its real arrival.

This is also for the “Tagged” letter challenge letter “P” by Frizztext
(“P” is for Postponed and flower Pistil).

Linking up with:
TEXTURE TUESDAY
MACRO MONDAY
TUESDAY MUSE
NATURE NOTES

Weekly Photo Challenge: Color

Miniature Dahlia Bud, a photo by Fergiemoto on Flickr.  (click on photo to enlarge)

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elated surrender
I embrace nourishing warmth
spring blossoms
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Spring Is Here!

Hungry!, a photo by Fergiemoto on Flickr.  (click on photo to enlarge)
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Launch!, a photo by Fergiemoto on Flickr.  (click on photo to enlarge)

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passionate wingsongs
carry loving nourishment
spring nesting
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Happy Spring to those in the Northern Hemisphere!

Today is officially the first day of spring here, yet it is a gloomy, rainy day, which will turn into snow for the next few days.   Snow is still on the ground, and the deer are still sporting their heavy winter coats, however, yesterday was a nice sunny day and the American Robins arrived with their beautiful songs.  A sure sign of spring!

The Western Scrub Jays are gathering food more frantically lately and we hear the constant flapping of their wings as they visit the feeders and beg for peanuts continually through the day – breakfast, lunch, dinner and snacks.  We also see the male feeding the female, which we learned is a way for the female to get used to the male feeding her while she sits on the nest for about three weeks straight, incubating their eggs.  Nesting should begin soon!

The photos above were taken yesterday and are of the same male scrub jay.  The second image is a combination of two different photos.