Black Moon Visits With Mars & Venus

February 20, 2015 

 Venus and Mars have not been this close to the moon since 2008 and won't be again till 2017. That is what made me venture out for a few seconds in sub -30C weather! I use back button focus on my camera so that meant I had to actually take my warm & fuzzy mitt off for 3 seconds to focus. In that little time my fingers felt the burn of the cold. 3 snaps and I was out of there - not a perfect picture but good enough if one wants to avoid frost bite!

And because I know you have all been missing the girls...

12 Months For Dogs On FlickR

Becky 02/12 "Simply the Best"

The dogs seem to be taking winter in stride though! They are not getting much walking in these cold temperatures but they do have burst of energy rounding the backyard for a bit of fun. Got to love Kodee's yet again determined face wanting to catch Becky. Never is that going to happen! Becky is in such a relaxed loose gait with all 3 in the air. She is a natural athlete full of spunk.

Bitter Snow Rose

Just remember, during the winter,
far beneath the bitter snow,
that there's a seed that with the sun's love
in the spring becomes a rose.
~ Leanne Rhimes

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Participating in: Kim Klassen's Texture Tuesday
[kk_red]

Be Still 52 Week 5 "Find the Light"
It takes a brave person to play around with light, outside in -20C with a windchill to 30! I set this rose just on the edge of shade with the sun behind me and shot all around. This was my pick.

M4H P52 Week 6 "Happy"

My husband walked in the house after work with a bouquet of roses and said 'there were lots in the store and I thought you'd like to photograph them". Surprise, for no reason gifts are the best.

Tiny Details

Gerbera Daisies seem to always smile! They are the world's 5th most popular flower, so I guess I am not alone loving their cheerful faces. 

Still counting down the days when I can go outside. I want to try macro in the sunlight to also get a background of colourful bokeh.



I have a favourite macro photographer that really inspires me, Alex Greenshpun. She is responsible for Canon making more money off of me!

I know she has the same camera body and lens that I do. Here folks is the proof of the saying "it is not about the gear" because I can only dream to create as much magic one day.
{Texture from Kim Klassen kk_waterfront}

Now I also have to blame Kim Klassen and my fellow Be Still 52 participants for our chat on "gathering" backgrounds and props for our creations.
{Texture from Kim Klassen kk_waterfront}



Clearly fresh cut flowers are quickly becoming a grocery shop staple in my household!

If you're Canadian you probably know Target is leaving Canada. So sad, because it was a great place for photography items. I took advantage advantage of the closing sales and picked up some items at discounted prices - how about $1 for this metal bucket, some string and cheese cloth, a few place mats and new coffee cups all at a steal.

Flowers always make people better...
They are sunshine, food and medicine for the soul.
~ Luther Burbank 
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Participating in Macro Monday
Textured Tuesday - Be Still 52 Week 4

Week 4 of M4H P52 "Small"

Taking Flight

Dispite the cold, Whitby Harbour was cheerfully bright and filled with active birds this past weekend. I loved watching this Pintail duck. They are such characters as they dive and splash about. They are fast though so a bit of a challenge to catch bottoms up!

The Trumpeter Swans although popular now at the marshes in Whitby, a few years ago they were becoming a bit rare. Through conservation efforts there numbers are back up. 

The ever popular but oh so common mallard is always lining the water edge along Lake Ontario. In the sun, the hens and drakes were quite showy with the sun spotlighting them.





Longtailed Duck.



The Golden-Eye Duck





I know - it doesn't get much more common than Canadian Geese and Seagulls, but I like their reflections in the water.

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Participating in Wildbird Wednesday