Saturday, April 28, 2012

April 2012 Photo Scavenger Hunt


Thanks to Kathy at Postcards from the P.P. for continuing to sponsor this monthly event!  April has issued snow, rain, wind, cool weather…with the occasional lovely sunny day.  Here is the photo summary for April, followed by a larger photo of each and explanation.

1 - Rock:
An accommodating seagull pointed out this large rock on the beach…no heart rocks visible this time! 
2 – In/Out:
The in/out photo was taken from inside my living room of the mini-daffodils in the outside window box.
3 – Amazing:
Although nature is full of so many amazing sights, I chose a new visitor to my ‘bird tree’ ~ this hummingbird was enjoying the flowers in the hanging basket that I have left hanging from the tree all winter. 
Its wings flit at such an amazing speed as is seen in the following short video:
Hummingbird visits hanging basket
4 – Can’t live without:
Sunsets!  Whether they set over the ocean or are viewed from the back deck (photo below), sunsets are a perfect way to see beauty in nature at the end of the day.

5 – On the move:
This category could be used to describe many of the objects in these April photos ~ so many things on the move.  I chose this wind surfer who was definitely on the move thanks to the breezy conditions!
6 – Smile:
Because of the rainy weather, smiles were wearing thin, however, Quigley returned and it sure looked as if he had a big smile on his face, no doubt planning:
 this ~
This time when he left, he climbed straight up the tree and then leaped onto an evergreen branch outside my bedroom window.  To see an earlier post about Quigley’s first visit, click here.
7  -  Spring
Nothing says Spring to me more than the blossoms opening on the cherry tree.  They are just beautiful.  A couple of days ago when we had blue sky at last, I took this photo as I relaxed on the lounge chair on the deck…looking up into the masses of blossom.  Actually this photo doesn’t show the masses of blossom, but it does show masses of blue sky!

8 – Multi-coloured
On a recent visit to a garden centre, I spotted Winking smile this colourful very large teacup planter!
9 – Sticky
In my previous post, I shared some photos of the beautifully plumaged male Northern Flicker.  I was surprised to see, when I downloaded the photos, his sticky tongue.  Recently a female Northern Flicker visited the feeders, and lo and behold she stuck her tongue out as well!  As you see she’s not as colourful as her male counterpart, but still has some attractive markings.  I especially like her dark throat patch which sometimes appears heart-shaped.
Male counterpart:
10 – Tangle
After the winter storms, there are many branches strewn around the yard that need collected and piled at the front near the street.  Pruned limbs are also added to the pile.  Crews from the public works yard come by with their wood chipping machine, clearing up all the tangled piles.  I’m always grateful to see them cleared away!
…although this Robin seemed to enjoy a having a large selection of nesting materials at the ready…


11 – Indulgence
Every so often I do enjoy indulging in home baking ~ the most recent being Cream Cheese and Chive Biscuits (chives snipped from my garden).  Hmmm…good!
12 – Direction
Hopefully things look up weather-wise as we head into May ~ As I looked up one sunny day, I glimpsed an escaping balloon flying in the direction of … up, up and away! 

47 comments:

  1. A delicious collection of photos, Glo. I love little Quigley.. what a face and those tounge-sticker-ourters are wonderful. Hummingbirds do that too, by the way. :)

    Lovely shots.. one and all.

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  2. Thanks, Hilary! If I was inundated with squirrels, I might have a different view of Quigley, but I quite enjoy his visits and agree he has an interesting face. I think he is quite a character. I was happy to capture the sticky tongues on camera, and will definitely be watching the hummingbird's antics and see if I can capture its tongue!

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  3. Great Hummingbrid shot! They are amazing, aren't they? We were lucky to see some in St. Lucia but not lucky enough to get a photo - still, we saw them :)
    Those biscuits look delicious!

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    1. Thanks, Mo! Hummingbirds are quite popular around here, but i just recently hung a hummingbird feeder so I can see it out of the front window. Hopefully I will get more shots. I'm glad you had a chance to see them on holiday. The recipe for the biscuits can be found here:

      http://kraftedbykelly.wordpress.com/2011/02/18/cream-cheese-and-chive-biscuits/

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  4. Lovely to catch up with you a little bit. Your mini-daffs are so sweet. I grew a few this year and hope they multiply. YUM - cheese and chives biscuits are my downfall. Yours look absolutely devourable. And as usual all the pretty things around you that we all love to see, including Quigley and his impish smile!

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    1. What a lovely comment, Nikki ~ thank you! The mini daffodils are quite special and seem to last quite a long time. Hope yours do multiply (and mine too). Pleased to know you enjoyed my photos, and yes, I'll to keep my eye out for Quigley as he's an imp for sure!

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  5. A really delightful post with a great selection of pictures.
    It must be amazing to see hummingbirds in the garden! Tree blossom is one of the best sights in spring, and there's been plenty here as well.
    It's not been a good April weather-wise here so here's hoping that we all have a much better May.
    Flighty xx

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    1. Thanks Flighty. Glad you enjoyed the photos. Hummingbirds are seen often here ~ I try to get a variety of flowers that appeals to them as well. They love honeysuckle and most red flowers, such as petunias. Sometimes they buzz around me on the deck in the summer as they head to a planter or hanging basket. The cherry blossom has been hit by a fair bit of rain and already the little petals are blowing off...too soon for me!! Yes, hopefully May will bring the flowers from April showers!

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  6. Wonderful!! Love the nature shots so wonderful What camera do you use?
    Hopefully look forward to better weather soon but wow, such wonderful photos x

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    1. Thanks :) I have a couple of cameras I use ~ an Olympus that I take with me on walks as it is easily carried, but I also have a Canon EOS Rebel T3 with 1 75-300mm lens. I have been using the Canon through my front window to take photos of the birds at the feeders. Yes, I would like sunshine please :)

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  7. Brilliant photos! I remember your post about Quigley. It does look like he's smiling! I love your in/out photo and the hummingbird photo is amazing! You take such good quality photos!

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    1. Thanks Louise ~ It was handy that Quigley returned and that I saw his devilish smile as he eyed the feeder! Glad you enjoyed my photos and thanks so much for your comment :)

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  8. What a wonderful selection of photos. I have only been doing the hunt for 2 months, but it is amazing how everyone comes up with such different things. Your picture of the humming bird is amazing especially as it was moving so fast. I love the smile from Quigley!
    Sarah x

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    1. Thanks :) Glad to see you are enjoying the hunt - it is indeed fun to check what others have found to fit into the categories...and from all parts of the world as well. I forget that hummingbirds aren't common everywhere else ~ so thanks for the reminder! Glad that you enjoyed my photos, and Quigley thanks you too :)

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  9. That's the first the I have seen video in the scavenger hunt, it feels like a landmark! The hummingbird is amazing, completely different from the collection of small brown birds that seem to have taken over my garden. Up, up and away is such a good idea too. Great photos! Ellen x

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    1. Thanks for your comment :) I was happy to get the video of the hummingbird...they're not usually in one place for long. Glad you liked the balloon photo ~ it looked so pretty against the blue sky!

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  10. Great photos, especially Quigley's smile!

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    1. Thanks :) I knew Quigley was a character the first time I laid eyes on him ~ his grin was quite contagious ;)

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  11. I nominate your multi colored and that absolutely gorgeous sunset for the best two. Great job.

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  12. Many thanks ~ it's always fun to see which photos appealed to others :) I'll be over to see yours too.

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  13. Such a bright and colourful selection! The teapot at the garden centre is so lovely and just look at the blue sky in the last one, true blue!
    Lisa x

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    1. Thanks Lisa! The tea cup caught my eye and I'm glad you liked it too. It is a colourful garden centre that also had a variety of coloured watering cans hanging up...I nearly selected that photo, but the polka dots won out. When the sky is blue, it's blue...but lately not often enough :)

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  14. What super photos! I've really enjoyed looking at them. I love the squirrel's smile and the photos of the birds:)

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    1. Thanks Rosie. Glad you enjoyed my selection...I was happy to see Quigley return during the month and he obliged quite nicely...I love seeing the birds in my garden.

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  15. What wonderful wildlife photos. Do you have an amazing zoom lens or are they just very tame and let you get up close?

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    1. Thanks Alex. Many of the bird photos are taken through my front room window. My bird feeders hang on a pink Dogwood tree. I also have a Canon EOS Rebel T3 with a 75-300mm lens that lets me get right up and personal with them :)

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  16. What brilliant pics - so nice to see so much blue sky and Quigley is very cute. I have squirrels that visit my garden but never get any good shots of them.
    Alison

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    1. Thanks Alison. Blue sky seems to be elusive at the moment, with all the clouds wafting by, but it's great to see it when it's bright and blue! Quigley is turning into quite a character, and fortunately I have managed a few shots of him...he's a big one!

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  17. Gorgeous photos, so nice to see a bit of blue sky! I don't think I can pick a favourite, I loved them all but that last shot of the balloon against that beautiful blue lifted my spirits no end! :-)

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    1. Thanks Sandra ~ so happy you enjoyed my photos and that the balloon lifted your spirits with it :)

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  18. Oh my goodness Glo, these are such an impressive set of photos! The humming bird is amazing!!! I've ALWAYS wanted to see one in real life! Truly beautiful! You really have an eye for photos! I'm just going to go and hit the follow button after this, I can't wait to go and see more of your photos and hear more squirrel antics!!

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    1. Thanks Kezzie ~ I'm pleased you liked seeing the hummingbird. They are so fast that they are hard to photograph, so I was lucky! Quigley Squirrel has been back, but I haven't downloaded my recent photos yet. Hope you do follow me :)

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  19. Ahrgh, there isn't a follow button!!!! Help!

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    1. I think I've added the follow button correctly at the bottom of my posts. Thanks for letting me know :)

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  20. What a great group of photos I love all of the birds shots just fanatic. And what a tangle.

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    1. Thanks greenthumb! So glad you enjoyed my photos. I love the fact that we can gather all our branches, pile the tangle at the front and they are chipped and taken away!

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  21. Wow, what an amazing set of photos. Love the collage to start it all off. Suzy x

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    1. Thanks RVC! I started doing only a collage last year, but when I was asked if the photos could be larger, I decided to start will the collage and expand on that. Once I had the initial collage set up, I just replace and save new photos and categories each month. Glad you like it!

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  22. Excellent set of photos and love the hummingbird.

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    1. Thanks Patricia...I'm pleased you liked my photos and I see that the hummingbird was a real hit, so must see if I can get more photos of it.

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  23. Hi Glo, All of a sudden I've missed some posts!! I always enjoy seeing the results of your 'Scavenger Hunt' and this one is no exception. A really lovely selection of photos again which, it occurred to me, would make a lovely calendar! It's difficult to pick favourites but anything with blue sky has to be a winner here at the moment, the beautiful 'sticky Flicker' and of course dear old Quigley :-) are all particularly nice. Of course I mustn't forget those extremely tasty looking cream cheese and chive biscuits...yum, yum!

    I am terribly impressed that you have people who collect fallen tree branches from your properties. I could really do with them here at the moment! Our Lilac tree was brought down in the horrendous weather we have had here recently. My husband has been clearing it away every day since it happened last Sunday and I think will take a further week to finish the job!

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    1. Thanks ShySongbird for your lovely comment and I'm so glad you enjoyed my collection of photos. I'm so sorry to hear about your lilac tree...how sad, and what a lot of work to get it cleaned away. Our Public Works department comes by only twice a year to chip branches (spring and fall), otherwise we have to cart any garden waste to a compost area ourselves and it costs minimum $5 on up.

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  24. I can almost smell those biscuits from here, they look delicious. And that sunset is just wonderful

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    1. It was the first time I had made those particular biscuits and I was pleased with how they turned out. If I do make yummies like that, I eat one or two with supper and then quickly freeze them so I'm not tempted! With all the rain we've been having, it was a treat to see the sunset - glad you liked it.

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  25. Lovely variety as always. Quigley has that 'Can't catch me' sort of smile.
    All was going well till I reached the food. Just like a Pavlov dog I was drooling at the sight of cream cheese and chive biscuits.

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    1. Thanks John. Quigley is a little devil! He's making short work of the bird feeder suet food, but these particular ones have been hanging for quite awhile, so I don't mind so much. The birds, on the other hand, may have different opinions than mine! Not only did the buns taste delicious, but the aroma in the kitchen was quite something as well...I was also drooling!

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  26. Great set of photos! I love the hummingbird and Quigley ones.

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