Fitting in.

We all do it, though some better than others. Whether it's wearing the latest clothing dictated as "in" by the fashionistas, eating the latest food fad, playing the latest game...you name it, we're doing it. Trying to fit in - not to stand out in the crowd, but to be the crowd. We want to be like everyone else in the tribe, because to be different puts us at risk of being noticed. And if we're noticed, who knows what will happen next?Might be seen by someone or something that doesn't have our best interests at heart. Better to blend is Nature's primary dictate.


This little American Goldfinch looks pretty much like the sulphur yellow leaves of the birch tree it's perching on...a blink of a leaf against a perfect blue sky.



















And the Great Blue Heron slowly weaves through the reeds, seeking to blend with the long slender stalks as it stalks its dinner.











His slate gray body matches the water below, and the sky above, a ghostly apparition that's only sensed. And by then, it's likely too late.

A New Viewpoint

There's nothing quite like a fresh dip in the river to clear your head and give you a different viewpoint...which is what happened to me on Saturday. I took a lovely, leisurely kayak up to the swamp at the end of our beach, just about an hour's worth of paddling and sheer entertainment, looking at all the reeds, the dragonflies, the lily pads, and Ottawa River. Once home, I promptly tucked the camera under my bathing suit strap to bend down and haul the kayak ashore. And just as promptly, it fell straight into the water! Damn! However, truth be known, I had been complaining about this particular camera for awhile - I had outgrown it basically, and was ready for a bit better model. Not that it was a Freudian slip (ha ha), but there were no tears shed, except for the great photos I had just taken. (Which John says he will try and retrieve for me. Fingers crossed on that score.)
Ah well. This new camera (Canon SX110 IS) can catch the whiskers on a weary Eastern Red Squirrel!




















It can capture the lacey leaf of a White Birch that some tiny visitor has created. Go ahead, click on the photo! The detail's amazing.



















It knows that a nasturtium leaf is actually a runway for nectar seeking insects...how else to explain the pattern?

















And it can capture a quickly moving mystery bird that lands in the thick of the leaves...I haven't been able to identify it, a juvenile red eyed vireo perhaps? Maybe you know?

















I hate to state the obvious, but a zoom lens is pretty spectacular! Just like this little American Goldfinch caught by a sunbeam (and me) with his flock.























Signed,
Happy tonight.

Hawkalert!

I think someone should invent a webcam that's about the size of a pea, that one could wear like an earring or hair bauble or something equally charming. And then when you happen to be out and about, and you don't have a ten pound camera just handily hanging around your neck, but you DO have your point and shoot digital dead battery carrier on hand...you could actually take a picture of something you see that's awesome!
Like the Sharp Shinned Hawk in the garden, who nabbed one of the crows from a previous blog, and took off into parts unknown to savour some crow pie for lunch!
Or, the Sharp Shinned Hawk in the garden , who nabbed a goldfinch under the feeder , and took off into other parts, still unknown, to enjoy some finch fingers.
Or, the Sharp Shinned Hawk in the neighbour's garden (finally!) who nabbed the little chipmunk, and flew off into totally unknown parts for some finch and chips.
I have not one photo to prove any of the above, but I will tell you this...I am getting new batteries for the camera, and I am keeping it in my pocket always!