“Winter’s Pull”
I thought today’s photo prompt, though eloquently written, was really very wide open to possible shots. “Winter doesn’t push you a thing. It requires you to go out there and pull. Work harder to find shape and line in composition. Work harder to bend whatever light you have. Change your position: capitalize. Work harder to find colour and depth in monochrome.”
We had another fresh snow fall, and our fourth snow day in two weeks, this morning. Once again we are adrift in white. Where would I find color and light today? My first thought was, wouldn’t it be nice if a male cardinal was to stop by my feeder? That would add some color to the white and gray. Then to my surprise, the clouds parted and the sun broke through, at least giving me some nice light with which to work.
I used a small aperture to get the sun streaks, then warmed it up just a tiny bit in PSE. It reminds me of childhood drawings we all did with a yellow ball and orange streaks to represent the sun.
While I didn’t get a male cardinal, a northern flicker obliged me with at least a little touch of red:
The focus is far from perfect here, but I forgive myself because this bird was not content to stay in one place for long. I was just happy it turned its head ever so slightly so that we could see its face, and not just the back of its head, as it poked at the tree hoping dig up a tasty insect morsel.
Karma's When I Feel Like It Blog 
Yes, this prompt was wide open. Her guest posts are by people displaying their writing skill as much as their photography. Didn’t the day turn out pretty? What a beautiful display of red on that bird!
Comment by Becky Sue — January 21, 2011 @ 2:46 pm |
It did turn out pretty – left me wondering how much we truly needed that snow day!
Comment by Karma — January 22, 2011 @ 8:45 am |
I like the way you captured the particular quality of winter sunshine in the second photo–and I like the way it lights up the flicker!
Comment by Gerry — January 21, 2011 @ 3:21 pm |
Thanks Gerry – I was happy the flicker stayed long enough to get a picture taken.
Comment by Karma — January 22, 2011 @ 8:46 am |
I think you did really well with the northern flicker. Those guys (and gals) are fast. I can’t seem to entice a cardinal to the feeder when I’m around with the camera. I’ve given up.
I love the sunshine and the streaks. I think I’ll sit here and soak it in. 🙂
Comment by Robin — January 21, 2011 @ 4:37 pm |
Thanks Robin. I’d love more opportunity at some bird pictures this winter. I think I need a new feeder; mine is supposed to be “squirrel-proof,” which it is, but it seems to be kind of bird-proof too!
The sunshine seems to come with a price at this time of year unfortunately. When the sun is bright and the sky is blue, it’s also wicked cold outside.
Comment by Karma — January 22, 2011 @ 8:49 am |
I like the first photo with the sun — love seeing those rays!
Comment by Andrea — January 21, 2011 @ 6:22 pm |
Unfortunately it is still damn cold outside even with those rays!
Comment by Karma — January 22, 2011 @ 8:49 am |
What a weather day, huh? We had snow ’til about 1:30pm and then, the sun came out! New England weather in a nutshell!
You definitely found light and form and shape. What a bonus for the sweet female Yellow-shafted Northern Flicker to show up! Yep – them birds are fast! AND, they so like to hide in the trees! Love her bright colors against the winter tree tops and blue sky. She seems to be saying, “Hey, laaaadeeee! Do ya mind? I’m eatin’ here!” 🙂
Comment by milkayphoto — January 21, 2011 @ 9:26 pm |
Thanks Tracy. I was happy just to have the opportunity to take a shot of a bird with some color. I need to improve my birdfeeder situation. The birds don’t seem to like my squirrel proof feeder. I think it is too difficult for all but the smallest birds to reach the seed. Someone like you would probably have a suggestion for me for a type of feeder I could use, that those devilish squirrels wouldn’t be able to take the majority of the food from? Preferably one that wouldn’t break the bank! 🙂
Comment by Karma — January 22, 2011 @ 8:55 am |
No help here, I’m afraid as we allow the squirrels free reign on the feeders. I’ve never found a true squirrel-proof feeder and what I’ve observed is, if the squirrels can’t eat then they take it out on stuff I don’t want them to damage! For us, when all get to eat the system seems balanced and everyone gets along.
The larger birds like platform or open feeders. If you want to attract the Flicker closer, you could hang a suet feeder on a tree or post nearer to your house. I have a kind that uses the suet cakes and all the birds really love that, especially in the winter. I’ve seen woodpeckers, titmice, flickers, etc. , even the red squirrels eat from it.
Comment by milkayphoto — January 22, 2011 @ 10:24 am
PULL the sled, but PUSH the snow shovel 😉
The first one looks cool with the sun rays… it does remind of a child’s drawing 🙂 I really like the bird, too.
Comment by thedailyclick — January 22, 2011 @ 7:33 am |
No snow shovel pushin’ here, baby! Snowblower all the way. Hubby and I both have kinda lousy backs, so shoveling doesn’t work for either of us.
Thanks Michaela.
Comment by Karma — January 22, 2011 @ 8:56 am |
Very nice! You’ve captured the 2 things that keep me sane in the winter – sunlight and color!! The only thing that would top this off would be to throw in a photo of something caffeinated!!! 😀
Comment by photobyholly — January 22, 2011 @ 8:55 pm |
Ah,yes! Caffeine for sure. My Keurig and I have been getting along quite well this winter.
The sunlight is nice, but it is surely deceptive with how cold our temps have been recently.
Thanks Holly.
Comment by Karma — January 23, 2011 @ 9:14 am |