Wednesday, December 30, 2015

Wednesday Vignette & Random Year-end Photos

I sorted through my recent photos in search of an image that deserved sharing as a Wednesday Vignette, the weekly feature hosted by Anna of Flutter & Hum.  There was one image I liked even though it's hardly a photographic gem.  The photo is of the rare "Cold Moon" that rose overhead on Christmas, which many people have captured in images much better than mine.  The moon caught my attention just as it was rising over the hills in the distance, with the lights of the Los Angeles harbor and the cities beyond already sparkling below.  My point-and-click camera can't replicate the details of that view but I think it grabbed its essence.

Moonrise over the Los Angeles harbor on Christmas, 2015


I also took a few random bird photos recently that I thought I'd append to this post, none of which represents a vignette.

This hummingbird has assumed ownership of the naked persimmon tree in my dry garden and, unlike most of my hummingbird visitors, he doesn't give a hoot if I'm standing right below him.  However, I do think he was giving me the stink eye here for infringing on his territory.

I threw out bird seed on Christmas morning and this scrub jay immediately claimed it.  While he initially looked a little skeptical about the stone cat sitting nearby, he quickly overcame his reservations.


Visit Anna at Flutter & Hum to see the interesting images she and other bloggers have to share as 2015 comes to a close.  Best wishes for a bright new year!


All material © 2012-2015 by Kris Peterson for Late to the Garden Party

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20 comments:

  1. Hoover BooDecember 30, 2015 at 1:29 PM

    Cool pics! Happy New Year, Kris.

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  2. rusty duckDecember 30, 2015 at 3:35 PM

    You can definitely see what that scrub jay is thinking in the first pic!
    All the best for next year.

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    1. Kris PetersonDecember 31, 2015 at 8:39 PM

      The scrub jays have a lot of attitude! Best wishes to you as well, Jessica!

      Delete
  3. Anna KDecember 30, 2015 at 5:44 PM

    I didn't know it was called the "Cold Moon". How funny that last time it happened was the year Star Wars had been released. Just saw the new one this morning, and can say that it was.... uh-m... entertaining. FWIW, I doubt that when we have the next Cold Moon, anyone bothers making a mention of it. Love the look on that Jay's face - good for him for being cautious!

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    1. Kris PetersonDecember 31, 2015 at 8:40 PM

      The jays are usually quite gutsy but this one appeared to do a double take when he saw the "cat."

      Delete
  4. Evan BeanDecember 30, 2015 at 8:07 PM

    Impressive bird shots! I have trouble getting clear pictures of birds. I like your moon photo, too. A high-end camera is no substitute for good composition.

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    1. Kris PetersonDecember 31, 2015 at 8:43 PM

      The hummingbird photo was unusual in that it was taken outside and very close to the subject. The birds usually fly off as soon as I open the door so I take most of my bird photos (including that of the scrub jay) through the windows from inside.

      Delete
  5. danger gardenDecember 30, 2015 at 10:12 PM

    Love the moon shot, nice work! We were driving inland from Ventura as it was coming up on Christmas Eve, and then hiking around the hills of Thousand Oaks on Christmas Day...no camera ready to capture it but enjoyed just the same.

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    1. Kris PetersonDecember 31, 2015 at 8:47 PM

      That moon certainly caught a lot of people's attention. From my vantage point, it not only looked huge but also mirrored the gold color of the city lights.

      Delete
  6. DonnaDecember 31, 2015 at 9:25 AM

    What a moon view and love the birds Kris...Happy New Year!

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  7. AnonymousDecember 31, 2015 at 3:44 PM

    Nice capture of the moon. This year is the first I'd heard of the term Cold Moon. Have enjoyed your posts this year. Wishing you happiness in the new year Kris! Susie

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    1. Kris PetersonDecember 31, 2015 at 8:51 PM

      The term "cold moon" was new to me too, Susie. Best wishes for a happy new year to you as well!

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  8. AlisonJanuary 2, 2016 at 10:28 AM

    Brave hummer, and good capture! You'd think the hummers that frequent my garden would realize I'm not there to hurt them, but they are so very skittish.

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    1. Kris PetersonJanuary 2, 2016 at 8:43 PM

      My brother (who gets a lot of very good hummingbird pics) claims that it you're quiet and very patient, the birds get used to you. The one I photographed buzzed my head before he landed in the tree above me - he apparently felt he owned that tree and he wasn't going to move just because I was there. He's the exception in my experience, though.

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  9. AnonymousJanuary 2, 2016 at 7:40 PM

    Happy New Year, Kris. I always find winter moonrises extra special, and I think you've done a great job of capturing this one. I also love the humor in the jay and concrete cat images. -Jean

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    1. Kris PetersonJanuary 2, 2016 at 8:45 PM

      Whether the scrub jay was apprehensive or just dismissive of the cat is a matter of interpretation to be sure. Scrub jays generally show no fear of anything!

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  10. outlawgardenerJanuary 3, 2016 at 10:09 PM

    Cool cold moon shot and love the little hummers. We all stretch the "vignette" idea but it's about fun, right? Hope your 2016 is happy, healthy, prosperous, and peaceful!

    ReplyDelete

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