Friday, March 7, 2014

Random 5 Friday


1.  I like my favorite drinks (tea, Pepsi) poured over ice. I'm not so crazy when ice is in the weather forecast but it makes for lovely crystal looking trees.

2.  I like always liked the line from The Night Before Christmas that says, "the moon on the breast of the new fallen snow gave a luster of midday to objects below." Have you ever looked out on a moonlight night at the snow covered ground? The shadows are awesome. When the sun comes out after a snowfall I like the shadows on the pristine snow then too. This photo was taken Tuesday. We've had lots of snow melt since then and it's at the ugly muddy stage now.

3.  I've been taking photographs seriously for six years. I have finally been able to tell myself I'm a photographer but I still consider myself an amateur. The above shot was an attempt at depth of field and spot focus. I think I should be able to do it without thinking too hard about it. Nope. Took sixteen 'takes' - yep, I went back and counted. Thank goodness for digital. I'd be broke developing film....

4.  I feed the birds. The other day my son called while I had stepped out to fill the bird feeders. I called him back and told him I was sorry I had missed him I was out feeding the birds. His reply was, "Feeding the birds?" It was that kind of question that goes up in pitch at the end as if to say why?  I told him I feed them and take pictures. In a drawn out voice he said, 'ooooh, ok.' I'm not convinced he gets it.

 5.  While out feeding the birds I noticed the snow glistening in the sunlight. Those little lights of color made me think of fairy dust. Because snow is made up of ice crystals, the light striking the different surfaces of the crystal is refracted and reflected. It's the same properties that make diamonds glitter. Who knew!!

Hope everyone has a wonderful weekend!
Linking to Random 5 Friday.

30 comments:

Stewart M said...

Nice pictures - I rathe like the ice on the tree.

I was snowed on this week - but I was in Arizona!

Am now rather jet lagged after a very (very!) long flight home!

Cheers - Stewart M - Melbourne

Claire said...

Stunning photos - esp. the ice beads on the branches...
I think you can declare, 'I am a photographer', but you know the word 'amateur' just means 'one who loves' :)
Hope you have a great weekend!

Margaret Birding For Pleasure said...

HI Carletta great shot. I especially like the first shot and that is amazing for see the coloured crystals in the last shot

Mersad said...

All of your shots are great, you can consider yourself a professional :) No doubt about it.

Mersad
Mersad Donko Photography

Sarah Huizenga said...

I think with photography there is always something to learn. I am sure I will take multiple shots of things until the day I can't press the shutter release anymore, that is just the way I shoot.

Karen Lakis said...

Yep - I'd call you a photographer - your photos are stunning! My kids have much the same reaction about my feeding the birds - but as they've spent some time at my home watching them, I think they're starting to get it. Have a nice weekend, Carletta!

Snap said...

You are definitely a photographer -- lovely shots of your winter wonderland. I giggled about your son's reaction to feeding the birds. I feed them, too and it is true, some people just don't "get it". A woman at the grocery asked what that big bag was (as I was checking out). The cashier and I both, at the same time, said "bird seed". The woman, who had come in for a cup of coffee only, shrugged and turned up her nose -- really! I take ice with my Pepsi and tea, too.Happy Friday!

Unknown said...

Lovely set of wintry pictures, Carletta. I really like the ice covered tree in the first picture.

If we had pretty birds around here I would feed them so I could photograph them also. I get it!

It is fun to see the light "dance" off new fallen snow.

TexWisGirl said...

your shots are awesome! you are light years ahead of me on skill. :)

loved them all.

Red said...

Awesome shots! Winter is my favorite season although this year it's a bit much.

Kim Cunningham said...

Lovely bird and glistening snow!

Tanya Breese said...

beautiful photos!

Karen said...

Terrific shots! I love the ice on the tree, and your sparkly snow! That junco is so pretty in the sunlight. I feed the birds and squirrels, my daughter calls me the crazy squirrel bird lady! She doesn't get it either, and said it must be because I am retired AKA - old.

Nancy said...

Carletta -- such gorgeous photos! Sparkles!

And most of my family just doesn't get the blogging thing. No way to explain it I guess. xo

Betsy Banks Adams said...

Great Random Five, Carletta. We haven't had too much snow here this winter --but we certainly have had many very cold days/nights... Today is gorgeous --so I say: Bring on Spring. However, they say that winter is not finished with us yet....

Love your 'creative' shot of the fence.. AND that's a great shot of the bird. I love feeding my birds also. You are right: some people just don't get it.

Hugs,
Betsy

JoAnn ( Scene Through My Eyes) said...

The photos are all stunning - and great text to go along with them - but that one of the bird in the branches is by far my favorite - it is perfect for framing!!!!!! You are indeed a photographer, and a good one.

Ida said...

You've captured some lovely wintery shots here. Loving the sparkle you captured in the last shot. The icy trees were pretty cool too. I like that you feed the birds, so do I. It's just something that you either "get" or you don't.

diane b said...

Fabulous shots Carletta, you have really improved over the last 6 years well done. The tree crystals are lovely, the bird so sharp and the DOF spot focus is brilliant. I have lost my Mojo but hope to get it back now my lens has been repaired.

Sallie (FullTime-Life) said...

The blessing and the curse of a digital camera is being able to take all those picures. (I'm working on weeding out my extras, eeek!) None of mine are as good as yours, I just take a lot of mediocre ones.

Funny I can almost hear your son's verbal eye-roll (oh oooookay....) (we've heard that from our kids a few hundred times....about a lot of things they just don't get. But they love us anyway ;>))




Latane Barton said...

Beautiful pictures. I particularly liked the snow-capped fence.

Nicki said...

I love shadows on the snow - trees especially. As for the ice - yep, a must-have in the glass and pretty to photograph, but when in the forecast, I am forever concerned about loss of electricity (I am totally spoiled and would not survive an Amish winter). Gorgeous sparkle shot and well done on the depth-of-field.

Linda said...

Lovely photos, Carletta. I don't like ice in my drinks...except for a very hot summer day, bring on the iced tea with the ice. :)

Jill Foley said...

Your photos are beautiful - have a good weekend!

Leave It To Davis said...

Blogging is so educational for me....cuz I certainly didn't know!!! I'd be willing to bet that by the time your son is our age, he will understand feeding the birds. I remember when my parents were in their late 50's and talking about watching birds and I thought they were crazy!! Now, that's what gives me a lot of pleasure...watching not only the birds, but all the wildlife around us!!!

George said...

All of your photos are gorgeous. I'm glad I'm not the only one who has to think about the settings when I'm trying to get a picture! And I, too, am thankful for digital photography.

Carletta said...

Thanks Kim!
I tried leaving a comment twice on your lovely post but my comment wouldn't go through.

Sharon said...

The second photo of the snow scene is so peaceful. The blue tones are calming. And I like the snow on the fence posts. Great shots!

Gattina said...

Beautiful pictures ! It still looks very cold where you live ! We are starting with spring signs, what a relieve ! Although we didn't have any snow this winter I am fed up of the grey and rainy days !

Coloring Outside the Lines said...

All of these shots are wonderful- I really love the last one of the light twinkles on the snow. I've been taking nature photos for about three years also, but I still haven't ventured very far off the auto button.

Inspired By June said...

I love your snow and ice images, Carletta. I think "amateur" is a bit of an understatement :) Have a blessed week!