Lunar Eclipse and Gilmore Ponds

 Before the eclipse

 shadows are increasing on the left side about 9:00 o'clock position

 Almost half covered

 Almost covered...

Now something completely different, nature photos this past week

 Monarch

 White egret

 Killdeer

Another Monarch

 cat tails

 Blue Heron

 Butterfly in back yard

 Hummingbird by kitchen window

Black squirrel

Chipmunk under ornamental grass

New Hummingbird Feeder

All hummingbird feeders should have a perch. Seven of mine do, but this one does not. It also has no ant moat which is a real pain. This is pretty and made of glass but I can't believe the good price had me forgetting the lack of moat.....and perch.

 Those feet are so cute as she tries to hang on, poor thing...right next to here is feeder with landing perch at the port.

Also, please NEVER feed your hummingbird red food coloring..the stuff they sell aimed at these little birds is wretched and can cause problems. Making your own syrup is so easy. Four cups water to one cup sugar. Bring to a boil, stir and let cool completely before putting into feeders. Store leftovers  in a glass jar in the fridge. Will keep for a week.

Beautiful Birds: Peacocks

Varnau's Nursery is closing but I got there and found Peacocks walking around like they owned the place.

 Peahen, female.

 It was a very windy day so I did not get a good photo when he showed off.

 As he turned to shake his tail feathers, a gust of wind almost blew him over but he recovered. The peahen next to him remained unflappable.

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POTD

Rabbit in back of the yard! Sitting up like a cat. Gotta work fast for these wild little cuties.

Around the Spring yard!

In the shadows and in the trees of a spring morning, there are many photo ops.  Get a telephoto lens and it makes things even more interesting.

Having health challenges for 20 years that keep me close to home,  I search for things to photograph and wildlife gives me an abundance...even those pesky squirrels!

 If you have a window or two with no screens, what's out your window to photograph?  Or take a stroll through the yard or to a nearby green area,

If you are reading this from the office, take a nature break and view the out of doors (you will have to imagine the birdsongs in your mind :)
Go here to find the calls and songs of birds in your area
http://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/American_Goldfinch/sound

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**PLEASE NOTE** IF you have problems reading white text on black background (like me but the black is better for photography) Highlight the text and that way it is blue with white text***
Same with captions with photos.
Click on each photo to see full sized.

 Goldfinches looking patchy as the males get their glow in the dark summer color!

 This little male Ruby Throated Hummingbird is back, too.

 in the shadows of green, some late blooming bleeding hearts...

 look closely and you can read the print on this piece of nesting paper

 He's coming out while the wife is away looking for more materials

 Guarding. Saw him chase a squirrel OFF HIS roof this morning. :)

"I didn't do anything...honest. "...(yea, right) ...

**All Photographs on this blog are property of SophiaZeePhotography. Please do not use without authorized permission.  Thank you**

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Picture (s) of the Day

Robin Nesting

Saw this robin gathering straw Sunday morning. It was fun to sit there and watch him/her. In between mouthfulls of grass, he lowered his/her head to pick up more. I don't know how they do this without hands or opposable thumbs.

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Do you mind? 

"Are you still here taking pictures? I'm a little busy."