Busy Birds

Why do we always say busy bees?  We seem to see more busy birds this time of year at our backyard feeding stations.  I was trying to catch a picture of the blue bird but he was darting in and out so quickly.  Also the cardinals were eating off the ground and not at the feeders.

Still Life No. 2 - More evidence that I can't draw well

Ok, for my second beginning drawing homework, I had to assemble a still life of at least 5 objects two of which had to be clear glass.  This is what I assembled.  Below are the two versions of what I drew.  The first one I felt was so bad that I made a second attempt.  Need to work on perspective and spacial relationships.  Clearly, drawing as a career is not in my future!!!  I can trace really well, though.

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Bent

Not sure why this cactus bent over or how to fix it.  Would welcome any suggestions. 

Blanche Takes Up Knitting

Knitting - II

Knitting - I

Ice

Slush

Snow crystals

The snow fall formed interesting crystal-like formations on leaves and tree branches.

Who's hungry?

Another shot of our busy backyard bird feeder.

Still Life

This semester I am taking a Basic Drawing class.  I can't draw.  Our first homework assignment was to create a still life using two chairs and 5 articles of clothing.  The first image is the still life I created and the second image is my attempt to sketch it. 

Like I said.  I'm not very good at drawing. 

Backyard Feeding Station

Our backyard feeding station is a bustling scene this time of year.  The male cardinals are so bright against the dull colors of winter.  We have also been surprised by the sight of 4 bluebirds regularly stopping by.  Most of the bird traffic is of the more common winter birds - nuthatches, chickadees, juncos, cardinals, sparrows, wrens, flickers and woodpeckers.  Haven't taken any notice of blue jays this winter.  The squirrels are baffled by the squirrel baffles - duh!  But they keep on trying.  They do benefit from the seed that drops to the ground, as do the mourning doves and other ground feeders.

Eddie Izzard II

This is our second beta.  Eddie Izzard (the first) died some time ago and was replaced with Eddie Izzard II.  I wanted a bright red beta but all the of the red betas in the store didn't look all that healthy and colorful.  Eddie's fish tank is on a small shelf in our kitchen. 

Meet Blanche

Woody has a new girlfriend.  I named her Blanche.  

Brrrrr . . . how cold is it?

This was the temp when we went to bed.  Supposedly it dropped to about 5 degrees overnight.

Fun with tinsel

The flash went off on this shot.  I kinda like it.

Bluebird in winter

This isn't the greatest shot but I was so happy to see this little bluebird at the backyard feeding station that I grabbed the G9 and snapped a quick photo.  I thought they went south for the winter?  Hmmmm . . . must look it up in the bird book.  Bob took a much better shot of the bluebird with the BIG camera and BIG lens!

How green is your relish?

I meant to post this awhile ago.  Bob and I were at an amusement park and this relish came in one of those little packets.  I have never seen any relish this color of green before.  It was a bit weird.  Though, it was some time ago and I'm still here so it didn't kill me to eat it.

Fizz 'n' Find - part deux

Oh, boy, I got the snowman!  Wonder which one my niece got?  

Fizz 'n' Find

Found this while Christmas shopping.  I can't resist trying things like this out.  I bought one for my niece and one for me.  Ooooh, collect them all.