Best of 2013 - February Photography - Gothic Gatehouse

 

Continuing with a look back at favorite photos/subjects in 2013, for February I choose the Crescent Hill Reservoir and Gatehouse.  This fabulous gothic "castle", built in the 1870s, houses the valves which control the flow of water for the Louisville water reservoir.  This 110 million gallon basin holds water pumped from the Ohio River to be filtered for the city's drinking water. 

 

The gatehouse is ornamented with many gothic architectural details such as the huge water urns on each of the roof points.  An elaborate iron fence runs all around the reservoir.  The path goes all around too and is a favorite walking, jogging and photography site, especially at sunset when you can catch this golden light--if you're lucky!

Best of 2013 - January Photography - Pastel Skies

~ click on images to enlarge~

In this last week of the year I always enjoy looking back over the last 12 months and reflecting on what the new year may bring. First "looking back" will be of the subjects and themes I've explored each month in the photos I've taken. Almost every day I take a few photos --some I'm really happy with the photo or the subject, others not so great. At least this January-December review will provide some clues of what was catching my interest as the year went on. For January I chose "Pastel Skies"--just a few quick photos of a soft early morning sunrise. 

Christmas Memories

click on image to enlarge

This month I've been posting examples of the Canine War on Christmas on Facebook.  Here's an example of the war on the homefront.  Frank and Zack the Crazy Border Collie are getting in their packages and endangering the much treasured old German glass tree ornaments.  (circa mid-1980s)

Happy Holidays, Friends.  Will see you again after the new year.

Friday Fences - Snowy Kentucky

While driving from Shelbyville to Louisville on U.S. Route 60 in the early afternoon on Wednesday, I spotted this wintery scene that could be a great holiday card from Kentucky.  May be biased, but I think Kentucky is beautiful in all seasons. :-)

 

 

Linking to Friday Fences at Life According to Jan and Jer .

Wild Bird Wednesday - Mean Girls

click on images to enlarge

Who would think this sweet-faced mourning dove deserves to be called a "mean girl"?!  For sure, I didn't know until recently.  They have been visiting the yard for a while--since I started scattering feed for the ground foragers.  A lot visited, but they were very calm and non-aggressive.

Then last week, in preparations for the ice, snow and bitter temps we're experiencing right now, I set up this platform feeder and supplied it with some bird delites like peanuts and nutty suet.  Wow!  what a bunch of bullies--especially when a half dozen tried to crowd on the feeder at one time.  Lots of pecking and wing flapping going on.  So far, they've managed to intimidate a lot of the birds--and squirrels.  That is except for the tufted titmouse and blue jay.  Both of them can stand up to the mean girls! In the meantime, I'm cancelling the post titled "Peace Conference" that was planning. . .

Linking to: Wild Bird Wednesday .

Wild Bird Wednesday - November Yardbirds

click on collages to enlarge

This past month I've tried to keep a record of all the different birds that have visited the bird buffet or just roosted in the now bare trees just long enough for me to get some not so great photos.  The tufted titmouse is a frequent visitor and doesn't stay still for picture-taking.  Maybe should be renamed the blurred titmouse!

Here are others spotted in the yard in November:

Clockwise:  northern male cardinal and house sparrows, cardinal, blue jay ( first snow of the season)

 

Clockwise: mourning dove, cardinal, hawk (no idea which kind), the black-eared Chetbird, Carolina wren, Carolina chickadee

 

Clockwise: male house or purple finch, trapeze artist, juvenile European starling, dark-eyed junco, mourning dove, northern mockingbird

Clockwise:  brown creeper or downy woodpecker, another woodpecker - hairy or ladder back?, hawk, white-breasted nuthatch, American crow, red-bellied woodpecker

I'm still learning about how to ID the birds that visit--get right maybe 50% of the time.  Just wish I'd started with this interest a long time ago.  Could spend hours watching them out the window--and sometimes do!

Linking to: Wild Bird Wednesday .