Early Crocus | Crocus tommasinianus | Iridaceae

with pink and yellow Primula bokeh.

Samsung NX1 & Helios 44M - 58mm f/2

10mm Macro Tube | f/3.2 | Manual Focus | Available Light | Handheld

All Rights Reserved. © Nick Cowling 2020.

Lensbaby Edge 80 + macro converters

© This photo is the property of Helga Bruchmann. Please do not use my photos for sharing, printing or for any other purpose without my written permission. Thank you!

Samsung NX1 & Helios 44M - 58mm f/2

10mm Macro Tube | Wide Open | Manual Focus | Available Light | Handheld

All Rights Reserved. © Nick Cowling 2020.

Snack time on the fence post ...

Shortly after I captured one of my squirrel buddies photo,

Mother Nature decided that we needed some early Spring rain.

Weather news predicts a very nasty 3 day storm event approaching with very heavy rain, very strong wind gusts and get this maybe wet SNOW.

Yup, the weather presenter was spot on!

Let's stay safe and hope we have no power outages.

From my garden

LARGE View On Black

Mellow and shallow:-) This is dedicated to all fence lovers and especially to Mayumi and David

And also to wish you good and peaceful time during Easter break.

Samsung NX300 & Helios 44M - 58mm f/2 Lens | Wide Open | Manual Focus | Available Light | Handheld

All Rights Reserved. © Nick Cowling 2016.

We finally have frost. I love to watch the progression of these lanterns from green to orange to porous where the red seed appears.

In 2017 we planted three small perennial plants of Physalis alkekengi, (aka bladder cherry, Chinese lantern, Japanese-lantern, strawberry, groundcherry, or winter cherry). I love the cheery orangish lantern-shaped paper-like pod or husk around each bright round seed.

Now we have many new volunteer plants in addition to those we planted. Another fun photo to take advantage of this morning's frost, with camera, tripod splayed, and coffee. And reading no news!

Still winter right? I mean, it depends on where you live but here, we got a couple of warm days and now it's back down to minus. Yet another cold sweep of weather with strong winds and I am thinking I should probably consider myself lucky that at least it didn't snow. I took this photo in downtown Boston, where I went for the first time in probably a year, due to the pandemic. There is something about big cities that I missed all this time. The opportunities for street photography, the num strangers walking up and down the streets, even if it was significantly less busy.

Depeche Mode - Dream On

www.youtube.com/watch?v=7dgrMSTalZ0

I would like to thank everyone who stops by to view, fave or comment. I truly appreciate your support and encouragement.

Pritzker Pavilion, Millennium Park, Chicago

Nikon D5100, Tamron 18-270, ISO 200, f/6.3, 270mm, 1/640s

ILCE-7MII _ Agfa 90mm F/2.5

My not so little buddy looks well groomed for this mornings photo-op .. One treat just started and looks like four more are on offer ... Just might be his lucky day, can't see any of his buddies waiting for a chance to get in on the action? ...

Edited with a white matte frame and textures added.

For Crazy Tuesday: "Abstract"

Lensbaby Edge 80 * macro converters * macro lens

#Contained for #MacroMondays

Sky reflected from windows. Image measures 5cm across.

“Hope smiles from the threshold of the year to come, whispering ‘It will be happier.’”

– Alfred, Lord Tennyson

This is the time of year I post random photos I have taken through the year (or years) - the outdoors does not inspire me so much these days.

52 Week Challenge

39:52, Door knobs or handles

I spent too much time trying to find a door with a bird! So I ended up with my armoire...one day I'll get the birds to cooperate!

Thank you for visiting and be well!

This is from the apple orchard near my house. The owners have given me permission to wander in there and take photos. It's a dreamy experience.

Squirrel in the treetops enjoying his mini-sandwich treat on a very bright beautiful late afternoon day.

''The universal view melts things into a blur.'' -Emile M. Cioran

Helios + Extension Tubes

My garden

Pentacon 50mm f1.8

Extreme closeup of Rudbeckia garden flower petals

One of my favorite flowers. It is very small and one of the first in spring time. Veronica Persico

Thank you all for your favs and comments.

www.shutterstock.com/g/JackieMatthews

For Crazy Tuesday: "Line/Title of a Song

youtu.be/naoknj1ebqI

Awww! Late again...

Does this tiny nuthatch look like he/she is enjoying an early morning treat?

Suet cake protected in a secure metal cage hanging from a shepherds hook.

"After the thunder's spoken, and

After the lightning bolt's been hurled

After the dream is broken, there'll

Still be love in the world"

🎶 'After the rain has fallen' - Sting (live) ... a lovely funky version 🎶

We had lots of rain during the first week of our holidays in Allgäu, South Germany ... so a special occasion to take photos of raindrops (I may upload some more Allgäu-droplet-images, lol) but not a perfect time for extensive hiking :)

This sea of poppies defied the rain (like us) - albeit a bit soggy and windblown :)

Have a lovely Sunday (evening) and stay safe !

I am back and will try to catch up during the next few days :)

* * * * * * * * * * * * *

Nach dem Regen

Wir hatten in der ersten Woche unseres Urlaubs im Allgäu viel Regen ... eine gute Gelegenheit, um Regentropfen zu fotografieren (aber weniger für ausgedehnte Wanderungen).

Dieses Meer an Mohnblumen hat dem Regen getrotzt wie wir - wenn auch etwas durchnässt und vom Winde verweht :)

Ich wünsche euch einen schönen Rest-Sonntag, einen guten Start in die Woche und bleibt gesund !

[Wir sind wieder zurück zuhause und ich werde die nächsten Tage versuchen, auf euren Seiten vorbeizuschauen]

For Crazy Tuesday: "Open Aperture"

Pentacon 50mm f1.8 + Extension tubes

Pyramidal orchids at sunset

A creative artistic version of a squirrel posing-resting on a pine tree limb.

Edited with a small white matte frame and texture added.

Hibiscus flower in the backyard garden ...

Edited with a large white matte frame.

A female Cardinal and her friends enjoying a wee snack ...

Edited in a small white matte frame ...

Love the female cardinal's little head-tilt ...

My garden

Lensbaby Sweet 80 + macro converters

The bird through lot of branches.

HFF!

This is one of our favorite trails to walk in the spring to see the woodland wildflowers. It can be fun in the fall too. Many of the trees here have lost their leaves, but the oaks are still putting on a golden show.

Schuhschnabel im Weltvogelpark Walsrode

Brown Mottlegill | Panaeolina foenisecii | Bolbitiaceae

Samsung NX1 & Helios 44M - 58mm f/2

10mm Macro Tube | f/2.8 | Manual Focus | Available Light | Handheld

All Rights Reserved. © Nick Cowling 2019.

A very cold, windy start to my not so little buddy's day.

Enjoying his morning treat on our new backyard deck.