hummingbird

Blessed November sun,

warming my face.

Behind me,

a hummingbird,

like a sprung bowstring,

emerald-green,

but more precious, alive.

 

I Was Lying (Disapproval, Part 3)

Well, actually
they just swooped in
and hung out
for awhile.
Looking quite sociable,
and communicative.
Rather well-behaved.
Perhaps just there
to inspire a poem
in me.
I felt so honored.
It was quite a sight.

Not all that many;
just intense.
A rapport.
My heart swooned when

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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nature’s sigh of thanks – sensory memories

*

*

When the muse whispers in your ear, you must answer. I was going to do my nails, but I knew that if I delayed writing this for too long, I would forget. “I better go craft my words,” I thought to myself.

*

I walked outside yesterday evening to do some errands. For whatever reason, I am too often locked away at home, inside, in my own world. Miracles have been in short supply, hereabouts.

When I stepped outside, I was nearly bowled over by a wave of the most delicious smell. It was sweet and intoxicating.

The rain had just begun to sprinkle down. As it hit the asphalt, the residual warmth of the day released a pent up sigh of scent. I love that smell! It brings back so many memories; whispers of  possibilities – the open road;  new vistas; the country; fresh, clean air. There’s an enchantment, a nostalgia; like a long-lost  friend or lover.

The grass, the leaves heavy on the trees and the many rhododendron blossoms joined in the sigh. The rhodies are coming into their fullest bloom – they’re all blooming together.

As I went on my way, the sweet smell was everywhere.

As I went down one of the roads in my neighborhood, there came the familiar annual cloud of cottonwood seed balls, drifting in that heavy, perfumed air. It’s a sight that fills the senses, heralding the arrival of summer. I remember with pleasure the cottonwoods of my youth; another time and place, so far away. What a blessing; what fulfillment.

I thought about that wonderful, sweet air. It is as if all the green things had been holding their breath, praying for just a littttle more rain – even the asphalt and concrete. In gratitude they all breathed a deep sigh of relief; one collective exhalation that filled the air, my thankful lungs and very soul.

//

 

bees and rhododendrons

All content copyright to the author, amyeighttrack (rhymes with straitjacket.)    May not be reproduced for commercial purposes without permission. Please give photo credit if otherwise shared. Thanks.

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I really got a good response to my previous posting of rhododendrons. It was my most-viewed-day ever. So here by popular demand are more photos, this time featuring a few other fans of flowers – bees.

The bees – especially, the big bumbly ones – like the sunshine. It makes it easier to get around. It’s pretty cool here, so there’s not a lot of them and they’re not aggressive; kind of shy, in fact. I saw one giant old ‘king bee’ that I tried to get a picture of. It was making quite a buzz! Their buzz is how they warm up their flight muscles so they can get airborne. I think it saw me and floated off away, across the street.

I have white, pink, red and lavender rhododendrons in my yard – and a few purple ones struggling for space. (I’m going to try to give them more space next year.) I have the privacy, so it’s allowed me to photograph them repeatedly under different conditions.

Seattle is renowned for its rhododendrons. In fact, there is a world-class botanical garden of rhododendrons here in Federal Way. If you like my photos, you can find photos of many more species at their website here, and even purchase plants & seeds.

I was visiting with my friend Dodie last Sunday, griping a bit about the rainy spring we’ve been having. She gently rebuffed me, pointing out how wonderfully green it makes everything.

Rightfully so. Through new eyes, I noticed how beautifully lush all the leaves on the trees were; and the luminescence of the many rhododendrons glowing through the dusky grey mist.

*

To see  photos in full screen mode, click on photo. If they have not already been enlarged, you can then click on full screen image to zoom in.

bumblebee hovering near blossoms

close-up of bumblebee hovering

another bumblebee hovering, wrapping itself around pistils

A bumblebee nestled in flower, resting or gathering pollen. Flies like blooms, too.

I took a 13 second video of a bee on the blossoms. It’s nothing spectacular, but you can see it here  If you can’t see the bee very well, try replaying it once or twice

Pink blossoms in the morning. The blossoms have gotten huge and heavy and are starting to droop from the weight.

off its bloom

pink blossom close-up in sun & shade

pink blossom by branch

red blossom

Red bud, blossom and husk. You’re supposed to cut off the husks after the blooms drop. This one is from last year – I’m a lazy gardener.

red blossoms and buds

lavender bud opening

lavender bud opening 2

lavender bud and blossom

lavender blossom

close-up of white blossom

purple bud opening

purple blossoms, cloudy day

purple blossoms in sun and shade

 

rhododendrons

Click on images to see full screen. All content copyright to the author. May not be reproduced for commercial purposes without permission. All other use, please give accreditation.

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pink blossom at night w flash

pink blossoms at night w flash

pink blossoms at night in rain, no flash

pink blossoms in rain

pink blossoms in rain

pink blossom by mossy branch

white blossoms in rain

ferns

white blossoms

white buds and blossoms

white and pink blossoms

pink blossoms in morning

pink blossoms in morning

 

birdsongs

a bird pleasantly warbling

for a long moment…

I encouraged it with silence

and communed,

enjoying its song

**

A seagull wheeling in the strong cold winds off a bluff,

good-naturedly chuckling back at me

sharing its delight and freedom.

Warming me with its wisdom,

I’ve ascended a new plateau

on this blustery day

**

up on a ladder today,

the chattering of crows

not so personal…

perhaps just curious

about the strange big bird

and what she’s doing up here, with them

**

once I discouraged a crow

in angry chatter

bullying another crow.

I called hawk and eagle.

It heeded and flew off.

Later, a hawk appeared,

gazing  intently

from atop a telephone pole

**

once, I found the world’s tiniest

hawk feather

waiting for me in the dry grass

I put it in a pouch

**

the birds are my companions

I call to them

working, amusing ourselves

we don’t even care if we’re overheard

you either understand

or you don’t

 

fall trees

bright

south

diagonal

joy

Up

glory

contrast

blue sky, fall tree

Broadway tree

Broadway

 

photography:a day out with Abigail; sailboats off Golden Gardens Park; and wild salmon in Cedar River

 a day out with Abigail, 8-17-11

Amy by Cedar River, photos by Abby

by Cedar River 2

by Cedar River 3

At the Ballard Locks: big boat comin’

big boat in little lock

upper gate, little lock

big lock with boats

silvery ghost of a salmon – salmon ladder observation room, Ballard Locks

salmon

salmon photo 2

salmon photo 3

Abby at The Locks with roses

with roses, 2

with roses, 3

Amy and Abby at the Locks

morning glory: Abby with flowers

sailboats off Golden Gardens Park, 8-19-11

sailboats heeling on a windy day

sailboats 

Two sailboats pass each other going opposite directions. As you can see, the one on the far side has quite a lean to it. 

The sailboat in the foreground of the previous photo has pulled clear.

wild salmon in Cedar River, 10-18-11

wild sockeye salmon

I almost missed seeing these. I’d been here years earlier, perhaps at another time of year, and the whole river was just swarming with them. Many lay dead or dying on the banks. So, when I didn’t see such obvious signs of them, I almost missed them. I had to look carefully and patiently. At least, the sockeyes are a brilliant red color.

wild salmon photo 2

three sockeye salmon

 

an interesting tree

 

 

tulip time in Mt. Vernon

at the RoozenGaarde in Mt. Vernon, Washington.

all photographs © copyright Amy Fields 2011. may not be used for commercial purposes without permission

bright orange

orange 2

orange stripeys

field

red field

maroon stripeys

pink and tangerine shapes

lavendar shapes

white ones

swirl

field and mountains

irrigation

in my work clothes