Winter

Winter

Monday, February 28, 2011

Ruby Tuesday - Santa Slippers in February

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While visiting my friend Erika this weekend, I caught her on camera sporting her luxurious burgundy robe with these funky-but-comfy Santa slippers.  We had quite a chuckle. 




You know the drill:  There are more ruby red shots to be seen over at Mary's place.

Have a great week!





© Copyright 2006-2011, Raven Ridge Gardens. All rights reserved.

Wednesday, February 23, 2011

Birds in Silhouette

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They stop here on their way further inland where they roost for the night.  From their size and shape they seem to be robins but I never got a better look at them than this.  I just really like the photo.





© Copyright 2006-2011, Raven Ridge Gardens. All rights reserved.

Monday, February 21, 2011

Ruby Tuesday - Somewhat Ruby Hellebores

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 The Hellebores are making quite a spectacle of themselves this year.

 
Some years they hardly bloom at all.  This year they're going for broke.
Another reminder that spring is on its way!



Check out the rest of the Ruby Tuesday photos over at Mary's blog, Work of the Poet.





© Copyright 2006-2011, Raven Ridge Gardens. All rights reserved.

Sunday, February 20, 2011

Shadow Shot Sunday - Garden Path in Light and Shadow

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Morning light and shadow on the front garden path.
A little wild and wooley from winter prunings that haven't yet been picked up, but the birds like it that way.


Tracy's got a slew of shadow shots from all over the planet.






© Copyright 2006-2011, Raven Ridge Gardens. All rights reserved.

Thursday, February 17, 2011

February Full Moon

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I am a little disappointed.  The shot could have been clearer.  Me and the big girl camera are still getting to know one another and sometimes we have issues.

The full moon is actually tonight, but tonight there will be no moon viewing from my garden.

Clouds, clouds, clouds.

I was lucky to get this shot last night when the sky cleared for a few minutes.  It looks pretty darn full to me.

The February full moon was called, by some northern and eastern native American tribes, the Snow Moon or Hunger Moon due to both of those conditions being most prevalent during this time of year.

Did you get a moon shot tonight?





© Copyright 2006-2011, Raven Ridge Gardens. All rights reserved.

Winter in my Garden - A Nameless Rose at Sunset

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I am notorious for losing the name tags that come with my plants.  This sweet rose, blushed a rosy-orange by the setting sun the other day, is actually pink and pretty much blooms year round.  It has a sweetly citrus scent, is practically thornless, and has canes that would grow to great lengths if I didn't keep them cut back. If anyone knows its name, please chime in.
I took the photo this past Sunday, the day before the rains came back after more than four weeks of beautiful, if not bizarre for our region, sunny weather.





© Copyright 2006-2011, Raven Ridge Gardens. All rights reserved.

Tuesday, February 15, 2011

Winter in my Garden - Tiny Clematis Buds

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Signs of spring are everywhere in my garden, from the leaf buds on the dogwood and alder trees to these tiny clematis buds which are no bigger than the tip of your pinkie finger.  I was glad to catch these in the evening  sunlight before the rains began yesterday.




© Copyright 2006-2011, Raven Ridge Gardens. All rights reserved.

Monday, February 14, 2011

Ruby Tuesday - I Heart Red Peppers in the Greenhouse

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This week, Ruby Tuesday and Valentine's Day coincide, affording me the double delight of offering not only a ruby red pepper, but a heart-shaped one at that.


There is more going on at Mary's place, Work of the Poet, for this week's Ruby Tuesday. Take a look.




© Copyright 2006-2011, Raven Ridge Gardens. All rights reserved.

February Waxing Moon

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Today I'm celebrating my first decent moon shot.

I have often coveted the moon shots of others, wondering how do they do that?

My new mantra:  Use your big girl camera and a tripod, Dummy!




This photo brought to you by my big girl camera: Canon Rebel XSi. Big for me anyway. 
© Copyright 2006-2011, Raven Ridge Gardens. All rights reserved.

Saturday, February 12, 2011

Shadow Shot Sunday - Shady Narcissus

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I came across this the other morning hiding in deep shadow. As I was struggling to get a photo, the sun came over the trees and hit the flower at just enough of an angle to create these subtle shadows.

Hey, I'll take what I can get.



And speaking of 'Hey', Tracy's got a slew of shadow shots just waiting your discovery so take a look at Shadow Shot Sunday at Hey Harriet.





© Copyright 2006-2011, Raven Ridge Gardens. All rights reserved.

Thursday, February 10, 2011

Winter in My Garden - Winter Blooming Red Rhodie

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Finally - fully-bloomed trusses.

Click here and here for earlier accounts.














© Copyright 2006-2011, Raven Ridge Gardens. All rights reserved.

Tuesday, February 08, 2011

Winter in My Garden - Hawks

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I realize that the clarity of these photos is somewhat lacking, but we've been so delighted by the presence of this Sharpshin(?) Hawk in the early mornings that I just had to post them anyway. According to my limited knowledge and my Petersen's bird guide, this is either a Sharpshin or a young red-shouldered hawk, though I certainly could be wrong on both counts.

 He, or she, perches on one particular branch, one foot tucked up, overlooking the pond just beyond our fence, mostly looking down, perhaps hoping to catch breakfast.  The top photo is natural color; I saturated the photo just above hoping to better show the markings on the feathers.  These were taken from inside the house (going outside, no matter how quiet we are, scares him away), through a window, with an EFS 55-250mm lens which was cranked all the way out.  (I've got a better lens and a sturdier tripod on my wish list.)

This morning was a veritable hawk-fest.  This little guy was just outside the kitchen door so of course the photo was taken through the window, plus the flash went off (white light above the hawk) and the bird flew away so I didn't get a second shot.  I haven't been able to identify it, so if anyone out there is a hawk person, please chime in.

We hardly ever see hawks in so close; I wonder what the attraction is this year?





© Copyright 2006-2011, Raven Ridge Gardens. All rights reserved.

Monday, February 07, 2011

Ruby Tuesday - Contrasts

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 Taken at sunset on a walk through Trinidad village,
I thought the contrast of deep red walls and white trim pretty enough for Ruby Tuesday.


Mary has more Ruby photos this and every Tuesday at Work of the Poet.





© Copyright 2006-2011, Raven Ridge Gardens. All rights reserved.

Sunday, February 06, 2011

Silhouettes at Low Tide

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We walk to the beach several times a week.  This past Friday the tide was really low and folks (and their dogs) were walking waaaay out along the wave line.  This guy was taking a photo of the rocks and waves while I was taking a photo of him taking a photo - in silhouette.

This is what I do when there's not much to do in my garden. Or rather, when I'm putting off the things that need to be done in my garden.





© Copyright 2006-2011, Raven Ridge Gardens. All rights reserved.

Saturday, February 05, 2011

Shadow Shot Sunday - Shadowplay on Staircase

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Morning sun streaming through a window works its magic on a simple stairway.



Tracy's got lots more shadow shots for you to see so go on over to Hey Harriet and take a look.

I hope you weathered the storm and are doing well, Tracy.







© Copyright 2006-2011, Raven Ridge Gardens. All rights reserved.

Tuesday, February 01, 2011

Sun Shots in January

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Low morning sun, Jan. 30

 Late afternoon, Jan. 30
Sunset, Jan. 30

The January sun holds much for me: It's still low in the sky but not quite so low.  It's still winter-watery, but not quite so wet.  It still doesn't impart much warmth, but a bit more than December.  It's still a winter sun, but so much closer to spring.

Know what I mean?

Welcome to February!




 


© Copyright 2006-2011, Raven Ridge Gardens. All rights reserved.