Our furry little Diva....

Court came over yesterday to try out her new phone accessory - a fish eye lens!

And as always, Baby is her favorite subject to photograph!

So we took Baby out on the deck (under strict supervision, of course!) 

and she happily posed while Court tried out the new lens.

This photo is so funny - it doesn't even look like Baby because none of her black fur is showing! Court was dangling a piece of egg over her and that's what has Baby's undivided attention!

Okay, she is definitely wanting that egg!

She and Jarrett ended up sharing it.

We had a close call with one of our Chips who scooted across the deck, so we all headed back inside!

Oh, Baby, you even look gorgeous when you're warped!

It was so good to have Court stop by for a visit, and she certainly got some great pics of her Baby :)

We are enjoying the most spectacular day here in New England. I could take 365 days a year of this kind of weather!!  Have a great week, everyone!

Comment Response: Hi Sandra! Isn't Baby's shoulder heart sweet? 
Yes, I actually have written about it before, in this blog post:

http://anenchantedcottage.blogspot.com/2012/02/hearts-are-wild.html

Donna

Hummingbirds and Photo Fun

I finally had my camera handy when one of our little friends visited the hummingbird feeder.

 The perfect subject for playing around with my photo editing software.

Here's the colored pencil version...

...and the watercolor version.

Coming in for a landing in color...

...and in Antique mode.
It kind of looks like Dorothy landing back in Kansas after being in Oz!

Being shy, with her back to the camera.

She sure doesn't look shy in this psychedelic negative version.

Moving so fast she's literally a blur!

Playing around with hue & saturation...

... is kind of like eating chips. You can't do just one!

Sammy was just a few feet away, chowing down on a peanut...

I think he'd approve of this watercolor version.

I love my old cement garden statue of Mary, but this photo isn't so hot. Clearly my inexpensive point & shoot camera just doesn't cut it for far off subjects...

... but I rather like the chalk version!

Ditto for the flower box - not a very impressive photo on its own.

... but much more appealing in a colored pencil  format...

... or a watercolor format!

 I hope you all have a colorful week!

This week I'm joining Mosaic Monday at Little Red House ,
 Tweak It Tuesday at Cozy Little House ,
and the Cottage Garden Party at Fishtail Cottage

Donna

A study in blue jays

Not really. I just couldn't think of a better title.

 This photo was taken about a month ago, when the babies were everywhere! They've always got their little beaks open and their feathers ruffled it seems. And goodness, do they squawk for mommy & daddy to bring them some food!

...which is what this little fellow was doing. I think mom & dad were practicing tough love, though, and sending him off to search for some food on his own.

Here's a mom or dad visiting the deck.

These were taken much more recently, during our heat wave a week or so ago, which is why this fellow's beak was open even though he wasn't waiting for someone to magically drop food into it like the first little guy.

Birds actually pant when it's quite hot out.

Oops, it looks like I've been spotted.

Of course the other thing they do when they're hot is visit one of the many birdbaths in the yard.

And it never hurts to find the tallest perch to try to catch some sort of breeze! I'm so glad we got this birdhouse put back together because it is a favorite place for the birds to survey the yard for peanuts, bugs, moths, you name it.

Stay cool, everyone! We're in for a run of hot weather here in New England!

I'm linking to Tracie's Cottage Garden Party at the lovely Fishtail Cottage

and Cindy's Show & Tell Friday at the beautiful My Romantic Home.

Donna

Feeding Time at the Zoo...

A couple of weeks ago I paid bills on the table outside. It was a gorgeous, sunny afternoon, much too nice to be stuck inside. It wasn't long before I had some friends join me. (The peanut basket I brought out with me is like a beacon.)

(click on any photos to enlarge them)

This is one of the many bluejays who visit our yard. But this particular little guy is the only one brave enough to come right up to me to get his peanuts.

It's taken a while for him to feel comfortable enough to come this close. I doubt he'll ever trust me enough to eat out of my hand like my chipmunk friends, but I feel honored that he trusts me enough to come this close.

I was almost out of peanuts on this particular day, so he had to hop down into the basket to retrieve his treats, with me sitting right there. Another act of great bravery on his part.

I know bluejays can be mean birds, but I still have a soft spot for them.

Now Ms. Titmouse isn't nearly so shy. She always makes sure I see her when she comes to visit, hopping from chair to table and from side to side to catch my attention. I think she likes to be admired and told how cute she is.

Of course my little Chips are ever present. Today I made Chip get his own peanuts out of the basket instead of hand feeding him since I was busy paying bills (and taking pictures!).

Here he is with his cheeks full, on his way out of the basket while Sammy Squirrel decides whether or not to join him.

My little Chips are fearless creatures, always eager to become friends with the peanut lady (me). 

Another picture of Sammy deciding whether to join us while Mr. Blue Jay watches over the peanut basket from the top of our wrought iron planter holder.

It really was a perfect afternoon. I even had a visit from shy Mrs. Mourning Dove, who braved the feeding frenzy in order to get a drink from the fountain. Having all these little creatures around sure took a bit of the sting out of paying bills!!

Have a beautiful week... Donna

He'll learn in time...

Peek-a-boo!

 I see you!

This young robin couldn't resist the sound of the running water, so he paid our deck fountain a visit...

 ...and spent quite a bit of time drinking and bathing!

I think he'll learn, in time, that while the top section may be fine for drinking, the bottom section is the place to "splish splash and take a bath!" Robins are very animated when bathing, and this little guy was running out of room on the top section as evidenced by the short video below:

I hope you all have a wonderful week! 

Donna