Nikki's Photography

Red Sunflower Saga

Nikkico — Fri, 15 Aug 2008 11:28:55 +0000

Nikkico — Thu, 14 Aug 2008 12:35:55 +0000

Nikkico — Wed, 06 Aug 2008 12:26:18 +0000

It’s a wonder that doves have survived to evolve as far as they have. For one thing, their nests are flimsy. They are also more comfortable nesting openly near humans than any other wild bird, as far as I know.

Today this chick and it’s parent were sitting on the curb beside a very busy street. When I came too close the mother tried to fly across the road, and appeared to be injured. Judging from the experience of doves nesting in the wreath at our back door last year, this chick is not ready to fly yet either. I suspect that they both fell from the nest, and wonder what are their chances for survival with all the cats, dogs, people and vehicles in the vicinity?

Male Cardinal

Nikkico — Mon, 04 Aug 2008 16:49:47 +0000

I’ve set the large sunflower seedheads out near the back door, with the telephoto lens on the tripod set up inside. Here’s one of the first photos of a series. This male looks a little rough around the edges; his beak has worn thin…he must be old.

Nikkico — Thu, 31 Jul 2008 11:39:00 +0000

OK, so the subject of sunflowers grows weary and cliche for some, but the plant has so much character, especially when the flower heads droop with the weight of seeds. Sunset is spectacular tonight with their swaying sillhouettes against the sky.

Nikkico — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 11:20:50 +0000

I was just coming home from shopping so I missed capturing the double rainbow arching over our neighborhood after a short storm. Both ends were visible, and rare sights like that are so electrifying! I hurried home to get the camera, then still managed a few shots of the golden glow accentuating everything as the sunset.

Heart-shaped Kiwi center

Nikkico — Wed, 23 Jul 2008 21:16:46 +0000

The best heart-shaped items reveal themselves when I’m not searching for them at all.

Nikkico — Sun, 13 Jul 2008 21:12:06 +0000

After two weeks away, one of the first things I did was inspect the garden, most curious about the cucumbers, because it’s the first year they’ve survived this far into the season. There I was at midnight, feeling around in the dark, and found a cucumber that had grown from 1/2 inch long to 8″L X 3″ wide during that short time. I expected to find a virtual Jack And The Bean Stalk situation this morning, but all the other cukes are average-sized. The heart-shaped cookie cutters I placed around some veggies have fallen off, so will have to try again; now able to monitor the progress of growth.

Nikkico — Mon, 07 Jul 2008 20:38:27 +0000

Storm in Calgary, Alberta

Nikkico — Sun, 06 Jul 2008 17:54:42 +0000

I have yet to see a tornado in Texas since we moved there, yet here is the first one I’ve ever seen, about to touch down in Airdrie, near Calgary Alberta while we’re on holidays.

Watching it form is surreal, and though it’s not far away I don’t feel in any danger. It formed a perfect funnel then I watched it pull back again, spawning a skinny long string-like tornado, then dissolve.

The associated clouds are ominous and dark in contrast to the sunny neighborhood where I’m standing. I learned later this afternoon that the tornado touched down in a farmer’s feild for a few moments.