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I took a lot of photos this past Saturday of some cranberry bogs.  It was a beautiful late afternoon and evening, with crisp weather, clear skies, and a gorgeous sunset.  I’ve been having a great time this year photographing many scenic locations, visiting various parks, wildlife sanctuaries, bogs, and salt marshes on a regular basis.  My eventual goal is to add a section for photos on my website.  Some people have written expressing an interest in buying prints.  Let me know your thoughts on the idea.

I love getting out during the summer to photograph nature, especially butterflies, birds, and landscapes.  I keep meaning to post more images, instead I’m out shooting!  Here are a few favorites.

While in Historic Smithville (in Burlington County, rather than Atlantic County), Rich spotted a red-tailed hawk.  I initially thought I saw a rabbit or squirrel.  Then, as I got closer with camera in hand, I realized it was a hawk with a squirrel! His outspread feathers were absolutely glorious!

As I got closer, it flew off with the squirrel!  It landed in a field nearby.  Rich told me I could approach it because it had its prey and would protect it.  Normally, when I try to photograph a red-tailed hawk, it flies the moment I approach it (and I approach slowly and quietly).  However, this guy did not move!

He watched me, with his head twisting more and more backwards (think Linda Blair in The Exorcist) to follow my every move.

As I slowly got closer to him, he continued watching me.

He looks quite displeased with me, like he’s going to attack me at any moment if I don’t leave him alone.  My camera is not a force-field, so after taking a lot of photos, I left him.

Rich and I visited three different gardens recently. This past Sunday we spent several hours at Chanticleer (once the home of the Rosengartens), a 47-acre estate located in Radnor, PA, of which some 35 acres are open to the public.  The literature says it  “has been called the most romantic, imaginative, and exciting public garden in America,” and it’s totally worth the $10 per person fee to enter the grounds. There are gorgeous gardens, including a teacup garden and a pond garden, lovely paths to walk, and some 5,000+ plants to peruse.  I particularly liked the “Ruin and Garvel” garden. Here are a few of the photos from the day.

A flower and vegetable garden on the left and the “Teacup Garden” on the right.

My favorite area!

The water on top of this table-like structure is very still and creates a deep mirror-like reflection of the greenery around it. We kept putting our hands in the water!

The bottom half of the photo on the left is a reflection from that same water-topped structure.

The pond garden has some of the largest lilies I’ve ever seen in my life. And, of course, I had to take some butterfly pictures.

I was only able to get two shots of that hummingbird before it flew off never for me to find it again.

Rich in the garden and me inside a small structure in which the entire interior was whimsically painted.

I suspect we will return again, as I know there is more for us to explore. Visit their website for more information.

This weekend I went to several outdoor places to photograph primarily butterflies. I’ll post some images from those adventures in the coming days. However, I did want to post this guy.  Many times when I’m out photographing, I see these gorgeous yellow birds — American Goldfinches — which I learned happens to be the state bird of NJ (along with Iowa and Washington). These birds are incredibly active, jumping and flying at the smallest hint of movement.  Generally I can only take pictures from afar. However, yesterday as I was standing and scoping out the area, I realized it was sitting on a cone flower not far from me. I very slowly raised my camera and starting taking pictures.  I managed to take about 15 shots — looking left, looking right, looking over its shoulder, and feeding off the flower.

I took these photos at the Grounds for Sculpture in central, NJ.

A few of the water lily pictures I took while in Central Park with Louis Kettle, Derry’s nephew from London who is currently visiting the US. I have lots of pictures of our adventure, some that I’ll be posting soon.

Summer started yesterday, and today in central NJ was another day of very hot, sunny weather. I love it.

To celebrate, I took a little time to visit a nearby garden. While there were no butterflies, there was plenty of open blooms, gorgeous color, and blue skies.

I needed to visit the hospital complex again today for various matters regarding my mother-in-law and her ongoing medical issues. I took along my camera just in case I spotted anything interesting to photograph. A nice surprise was finding another area with poppies in bloom! Yipee!!

Yesterday evening I returned to the hospital grounds to take more poppy pictures.  I thought I’d have plenty of time to take more pictures as it appeared there were many unopened blooms. However, the bulk of them were gone! So many of the unopened blooms were drooped over and look finished.  It was quite a surprise and another lesson in the “do it while you can” category of life.

This time last year I was in England with my mom showing her the sights with Derry.  The  decision to take her then was a good one as one year later things have certainly changed.  First, I highly doubt I could have done a fraction of the travel I did last year because of my back problems and, most sadly, Derry’s dad is no longer alive (the though of which continues to deeply sadden me). In short, when opportunity presents itself, and if you have the means and motive, go for it.  It something I need to tell myself regularly as, tick tick tick, life changes fast, and regrets can pile up.

On a good note, I’m almost finished with my 12 x 12 inch piece for the 8 That Create group.  The theme for an upcoming show is fashion, and my piece is based on the pages of a past Vogue magazine.  I have a few more rows of french knots to add, and then I should be squaring off and finishing it. All in all, a good weekend, despite the back woes!