Tag Archives: summer

Yellow Finch: Elusive Little Soul

The first time I noticed yellow finches flitting around was two years ago.  They were feasting on sunflower seeds from the tall stalks of once beautiful sunshine flowers that now were just pin cushions of seeds providing nourishment to the birds.   By the time I noticed them they flew away, yellow streaks to across the field to find the protection of an old tree.   These are elusive little birds.

I have been on a mission to photograph these guys.  Today when I arrived to check my garden’s harvest I saw them fly over to the fence with their not so showy finch cousins.  No sudden moves.  I walked v…..e……..r………y……..s…….l…..o……..w…….l……y through the garden and stood very still, sometimes squatting out of site waiting for  a yellow finch, also known as a gold finch, to present himself to my camera.  Finally one began streaking around the garden looking for food as his little body caught the late afternoon sun.

Hanging out on the garden fence.

Hanging out on the garden fence.

mary_claire_crow_yellow_finch20110008061186Afb

Yellow finch snacking on a sunflower seed.

Yellow finch snacking on a sunflower seed.

mary_claire_crow_yellow_finch20110008061193fb

My New Favorite: Goldy Honey Bear Sunflower

The name alone brings a smile to my face.   Images of Pooh bear with his hand in the honey, the dog who won my heart as a teenager, Honeybear,  a stuffed golden bear that I sent with my baby on her journey to be with her family…. this flower reminds me of all these moments through my life.  The flower looks like one could just lay in it’s petals and take a nice nap until it came time to go to seed and the golden finches come to feed.

This is my new favorite flower.  Thinking of way to grow them all year!   The Goldy Honey Bear Sunflower from Botanical Interests.

Goldy Honey Bear in the warm afternoon light.

Goldy Honey Bear in the warm afternoon light.

Reaching for the azure afternoon sky.

Reaching for the azure afternoon sky.

A Goldy Honey Bear almost fully in bloom.

A Goldy Honey Bear almost fully in bloom.

My first Goldy Honey Bear!

My first Goldy Honey Bear!

Walking Stick and Katydid in Old Hickory Village

A few weeks back I was watering my patio plants and found a walking stick in one of my flowering pots.  I have not seen a waking stick in forever and find them fascinating.  They look just like a stick… camouflage at it’s finest.   Then this morning my new neighbor invited me into her house to show me around and on the outside of one of the windows was a huge katydid.  These guys look like leaves and the particular one picked the perfect place to land for a portrait.

mary_claire_crow_spring_insect_walking_stick201106102469fb

mary_claire_crow_spring_walking_stick201106102484

mary_claire_crow_neighborhood_insect_katydid2011007010438fb

mary_claire_crow_neighborhood_insect_katydid2011007010419fb

Nashville Nature Photographer: Summer Solstice

Good morning Summer!  June 21, 2010, the morning is so beautiful with the sun rising starting at around 4:30am, the light gorgeous at 6:00am.  It’s gonna be a hot one.  Wait, is this August?  

 

Good Morning Summer

Good Morning Summer

 

Solstice Light on the Veranda #1 and #2

Solstice Light on the Veranda #1 and #2

 

Solstice Light on the Veranda #3 and #4

Solstice Light on the Veranda #3 and #4