Turning A Page On My Natural Calendar

Hello Friends! Tonight’s Feature Image is titled “American Goldfinch 12421a” and is available for purchase by clicking the thumbnail and reaching out to me on the contact page.

The snow falls softly on my mountain today. Old Man Winter is feeling generous as January comes to a rest. As I look up from my desk I see that my feathered friends are celebrating their good fortune around my feeder. The party started with just 2 chickadees a few months ago and now includes 3 blue jays, 2 song sparrows a Carolina wren, a mated pair of Cardinals, a downy woodpecker and about 6 or 8 Goldfinch. Last month I posted a photo of a Goldfinch at my feeder and noted that they don’t get their color until they come into the breeding season.

Image Titled “Breakfast With Friends 122320” and is available for purchase by clicking the thumbnail and reaching out to me on the contact page.

It’s very subtle but I can see a difference in the color between the 2 images. In fact I expect that by the end of March that we will have a dramatic difference in the color of the Goldfinch. I have also added this change to my natural calendar. Every day I notice little minute changes to the world around me. A sprig of green here a color change there and a slight shift in the direction of the breeze. All of these things add up to keep me encouraged as winter passes. A friend and were discussing the length of the day and how it feels like a renewal when the days are noticeably longer. I’ve been mentally keeping track of when the automatic lights come on for weeks now. Every day we gain a few extra minutes. Before we know it I’ll be posting pictures of the beautiful Dogwood bloom and the redbud in season. It was recently said that we were in for a long dark winter but the natural calendar says otherwise. It says that in just 6 short weeks we’ll have the official start of spring and with it will come a glorious daybreak.

Good night friends and be blessed throughout your days.

Announcement:

I am adding additional social media to my network. Eventually, I’ll be leaving Facebook behind for a multitude of reasons. Even though the Lloyd’s Lens Photography page is strictly non-political I have been restricted from interacting with followers with no explanation for why. But it’s not just that. For years now Facebook has throttled content providers in general. They encourage us to grow our audience and then want to sell us back the access to them. In addition, they collect and sell the data from our interaction. So Facebook has become an entanglement of thorns. In response I have created the Lloyd’s Lens Photography Discussion Group on MeWe. We can still interact directly on the blog but starting today I’ll be looking for more platforms that respect the privacy of my followers and don’t limit who gets to see the post.

I want you to join my group on MeWe: https://mewe.com/join/lloydslensphotographydiscussiongroup

Hey Friends! Just a quick reminder that Lloyds Lens Photography is available for portraits!

To book me simply reach out using the Contact Page and we’ll set a date. If you’re within a 50 mile radius of Summersville West Virginia all travel fees are waived.

If you’re enjoying my blog and don’t want to miss a post then you can sign up for email alerts on my website.

https://lloydslensphotographyllc.com/

Have you checked out the Zazzle Store?

I’m now using Zazzle to fulfil orders. What this means for you is a secure way to place an order, discount codes & a broader product selection! Simply use the contact form on my websiteand tell me which image you want and I’ll reply with a direct link to where you can place the order.

Clicking on the photo takes you tohttps://www.zazzle.com/lloydslensphotos?rf=238248269630914251

Lastly, all of the photos and writings are my original work unless otherwise specified and are not to be copied or reproduced without expressed written permission from the photographer

Thank you again for your support of my page!

Breakfast With Friends

Hello Friends! Tonight’s Feature Image is titled “Breakfast With Friends 122320” and is available for purchase by clicking the thumbnail and reaching out to me on the contact page.

The new light shines down through bare branches bringing joy to tiny hearts. The crisp morning fills with the morning chorus. It doesn’t come suddenly but instead they wait to be touched by the waking sunshine as it spills over the mountains. If you listen closely you can hear the morning coming closer to the window before the light falls onto the sill. As my heart listens to the happy voices that come from the surrounding forest I make my way to the coffee pot and prepare breakfast. But today I change the routine just a little as I sit quietly at my desk and watch the window. One by they come to the meal prepared for them. The black capped chickadees take turns at feeder white the others continue their part in the song welcoming the return of the sun. And as I quietly enjoy my morning coffee I’m greeted by a newcomer to my window. I believe that she’s an immature female because of her coloring but the only thing I know for sure right now is that she has non- breeding colors. As the winter (climatic winter) fades into Spring she will molt and show us the bright yellow that we’re used to seeing on our lawns throughout the warm weather. So far the Cardinals have been reluctant to try the new feeder and prefer the ones that out on the line.

Image Titled “Female Cardinal 113020a”.

The Cardinals always seem to work as a team when she’s not brooding. They take turns watching over each other and guardian against predators. The male was just outside of the range of my lens but I did my best to bring him in a few days earlier.

Image Titled “Male Cardinal 112520a”.

I’m really surprised that he sat still long enough for the photo. He’s a particularly twitchy bird.

Image Titled “Just Missed It 121720”

The encounter with him a few days ago was “almost” an amazing shot! Oh well, he’ll be back to let me try again. Sometimes we have no choice but accept that nature has a mind of its own and doesn’t want to cooperate. I’d there is no challenge then there’s no opportunity for growth. Which brings me to my failed attempt to photograph the Christmas Star. Last night we did have a second chance to capture a once in a millennium event. However, I’ve learned that astrophotography is a little more challenging than I thought. And while I did manage to document Jupiter and Saturn in the same sky it didn’t really turn out as planned.

Jupiter And Saturn In Near Conjunction 122220

I’ll have plenty of time to study up and practice for the next celestial event.

I most likely will not have a post for Christmas eve or Christmas day ( which would have been a Forage Friday post) but I’ll be back on regular schedule next week. Until then good night friends and be blessed throughout your days.

Hey Friends! Just a quick reminder that Lloyds Lens Photography is available for portraits!

To book me simply reach out using the Contact Page and we’ll set a date. If you’re within a 50 mile radius of Summersville West Virginia all travel fees are waived.

If you would like to Follow me on Facebook the web address is

https://www.facebook.com/aviewfromthelens/

If you’re enjoying my blog and don’t want to miss a post then you can sign up for email alerts on my website.

https://lloydslensphotographyllc.com/

Have you checked out the Zazzle Store?

I’m now using Zazzle to fulfil orders. What this means for you is a secure way to place an order, discount codes & a broader product selection! Simplymessage me on Facebookoruse the contact form on my websiteand tell me which image you want and I’ll reply with a direct link to where you can place the order.

Clicking on the photo takes you tohttps://www.zazzle.com/lloydslensphotos?rf=238248269630914251

Lastly, all of the photos and writings are my original work unless otherwise specified and are not to be copied or reproduced without expressed written permission from the photographer

Thank you again for your support of my page!