In The Sparrows Nest » Nature Photography

Born with Green Thumbs

Melissa — Thu, 13 May 2010 16:19:31 +0000

I’m certain both of my parents were born with “green thumbs” and a serious love of God’s creation around them. Each home that they’ve ever lived in has been graced by the touch of their green thumbs and their love of nature. The house they live in now, however, has been blessed the most I think. Take a look at the photos I took the last time I visited.

While I believe I was born with a natural love of God’s creation, I was not born with green thumbs! It seems everything they touch outside turns out beautiful! Thank you Mom and Dad for sharing your green thumbs and most of all your love of nature!

Rue Anemone

Melissa — Thu, 15 Apr 2010 23:27:45 +0000

New Wildflower Discovery! I found these beauties blooming up on the creek side in the woods. They are called Rue Anemone…aren’t they gorgeous?!

Kentucky Wildflowers of Spring

Melissa — Wed, 14 Apr 2010 20:26:03 +0000

Below is a slide show I’ve made of all the spring wildflowers that I’ve taken photos of so far! Click full screen for the best view. I hope you enjoy it!

Kentucky Wildflowers in Spring

Images from the Snowstorm Today

Melissa — Mon, 15 Feb 2010 23:20:34 +0000

It has snowed and snowed and snowed today! We already had a couple of inches on the ground, but now we have at least 7 more! Here are some photos I took.

My Gabby Rose is so small compared to the high drifts of snow.

Male Northern Cardinal in tree near feeders.

Northern Cardinal at feeders.

AND, I’m so excited that I got my first 12-Sided Snowflake photo today!!

Snow and Ice Wonderland

Melissa — Sun, 07 Feb 2010 16:29:03 +0000

Once again we got hit pretty hard (not nearly as hard as others) with a Snow and Ice storm. It started off on Friday with just rain, through the day turned into ice and by Friday late afternoon, snow. We ended up getting about 4 inches of just snow, and then some ice under it. This morning was the first day that the sun came back to visit since the storm, and oh my, it lit up the landscape, dazzling, sparkling, I think, just to show off! Even though the temperatures were below 10 degrees this morning, you know I couldn’t resist putting on the thermals and everything else that goes with them and heading out into this enchanting wonderland.

I took over 100 photos of which here are 18 of my favorites.

My Backyard - Can you tell which way the wind was blowing the snow?

I have several photos of ice crystals on various objects. I think because everything was first so wet, then the wind blew and formed these gorgeous feathery miracles.

Ice crystals on dried up wildflowers from fall.

Lots of chipmunks are hibernating in this brush.

The sun made everything come alive with dazzle.

Again, wildflowers (I believe Asters) from fall, donned with sparkle.

Another photo showing the sparkling ice in the sun.

Can you tell I loved taking photos of how the ice crystals formed on the dried up wildflowers?! Just stunning.

This, I think, is my favorite...ice crystals on a Queen Anne's Lace wildflower. Looked like a magic wand.

Ice on a fox tail weed (at least that's what we call them)

Again, another magic wand.

The creek was flowing gently in some places.

And frozen in spectacular ice patterns in other places.

Another tree photo showing how the snow and ice is clinging to one side.

I hated leaving my footprints in this perfect landscape.

One last ice crystal on wildflower photo!

Whenever I’m talking about observing the details in nature in the winter time to help gain appreciation for all the seasons, this is exactly what I mean! I came back inside feeling in awe of our Creator God and His masterful display in nature, even in the midst of frigid cold winter.

An Umbrella for a Bumblebee

Melissa — Sun, 02 Aug 2009 20:52:03 +0000

We were taking a nature walk with my Dad yesterday and the rain started to drizzle lightly, which it had been doing off and on all day. We came upon one of my Dad’s garden flowers (Rose of Sharon) and noticed this little critter tucked away inside.

The bumble was holding on to the "style" part of the flower and hanging out until the rain stopped. My Dad said that he has seen them do this many times when it was raining.

When I zoomed in I could see the little particles of pollen on his body. Evidently the rain had interupted his work in the pollination process. I think that flower made a perfect umbrella for a bumblebee.

Cool Photo!

Melissa — Sat, 25 Jul 2009 20:50:20 +0000

While at nature club the other day I took a macro photo of a new wildflower so that when I got home I could look it up and identify it. When I uploaded my photos I realized that on this particular photo a little buzzing Halictid bee was caught in action too! Please click on the image to make it even larger. The wildflower is called Wingstem, appropriately.

Also, along the trail we came upon the biggest bunch of Spotted Jewelweed I’ve ever seen. The morning light was filtering through the woods just perfectly, making the dew drops sparkle and the fire orange color of the flower really showed.

And last but not least is another "new to me" wildflower, the Swamp Milkweed, found right down next to the creek.