After the rain

We've had quite a bit of rain over the last week. I always love how vibrant the world looks with raindrops on it. Here are some of the shots I took during and after the rain storms

Wednesday 5/21

these are on campus between the library and the stadium and taken between 5 and 6 pm 

Mushrooms in the yard -- just thought they looked cool 

love how bright the droplets made the yellow and the contrast of the purple leaf on the left 

this tree looked really pretty against the cloudy sky 

Lilacs because I love them 

the red really caught my eye 

the red and white tulips are so pretty and look even better with the droplets

this arrangement is totally awesome and caught my attention from across the street 

the clouds drawing water for another storm -- loved the way the beams hit everything 

the light beams coming down to the silo were just way too cool 

there was a beautiful rainbow on Saturday night -- so vibrant and pink sky too 

 the hibiscus on our deck from the same time as the rainbow 

Today 5/27 taken between 5:30 and 6:30 -- we had some crazy thunderstorms this afternoon and these are what I found after and between the storms 

this is one of the flower pots on campus, loved all the different colors and lots of raindrops

these were leaves that had falled during the storms

not a huge pink fan but the droplets made these totally awesome 

these were so delicate and pretty I had to get a few shots of them 

this leaf was on one of the stone walls -- loved that there was still a monster drop even after the sun came out 

this bunny was just eating grass and let me get its picture

it looked right at me -- totally awesome

it wasn't scared of me at all 

the street had remnants of puddles and I loved the light 

these Iris  were really pretty and under a pine tree

and a close up -- love how the purple comes through the droplets 

this was on the side and again I love how the light was hitting the leaves 

I had to get something orange and there were still lots of droplets

it was bent over from the rain and again loved how the sun highlighted it 

the bud was just cool 

the sun was giving the perfect highlights

 these were on a tree -- the white and green caught my eye 

and a closer look --- the light made it sparkle even more 

some Rhododendrons right by my place 

the blooms were so full and sparkly 

and one more because they were so pretty 

I've been having so much fun practicing. Hope you enjoyed my pictures and thanks for sharing with me 

Caught on Campus

On Monday it was a beautiful day and I spent a good part of the evening, over 2 hours in fact, wandering around taking pictures. My intention was to go to the duck pond and I did spend a lot of the time there but I also found some really cool stuff along the way. I'm going to share some of my favorite shots with you

this is a branch from one of the flowering trees on campus -- these little petals fall everywhere and float in the wind. They are really pretty and I wanted to get them on the tree

Caught this baby bunny as I was walking to the pond

I had to be quiet and patient and use the zoom lens but I had to capture it 

It kept moving and I followed it

by the end it was very comfortable with me or very hungry --either way it was so cute

Lilies of the Valley by the duck pond

Crazy squirrels in a tree near the pond

Mama was protecting the babies, they were sitting under the branches beside the pond

Shot this one from across the pond. Didn't know squirrels liked to get that close to the water -- and I Loved the way the bridge reflected in the water

the mamas and babies were everywhere

A white rhododendron on the side of the pond 

this peep was getting a drink 

Swim babies swim

Turtles sunning on a rock in the pond

One of the many mamas without her chicks

Loved that this one was blue instead of green and of course love the reflection

These peeps were just resting by the rocks and stayed still long enough for me to get a good shot

they swim so fast -- this was taken from the bridge above them

Turtles from the other side 

most of the peeps were sleeping in the sun

watchful mama - love how her beak was under her wing

This one is all about the green reflection in the water. Just the right angle and close to all the trees

looking at each other in the rocks on the shore

Love how the males sleep standing up 

they were about to jump in the water and I loved that they were reflected in it 

more families in the water -- don't know how the moms keep track of so many 

They like to group along the sides

Love getting them swimming with reflections

again its all about the reflections and you can see how much green is around the pond -- no wonder the ducks and I like to go there :) 

Love how this one is silouetted and we can see the reflection 

Mama leading the babies away from the pond 

They are so fuzzy and huddle together

More flowering trees -- not sure what it is but I like it 

Think this are allum -- I loved how purple they are -- these are in the garden next to the pond

This is a tree on campus -- it was very interesting how the branch looks like camo -- never see one like it before and of course had to capture it 

A longer view of the branch -- the whole tree looks that way 

told you I was out late -- this is the sunset on my way home that night -- so beautiful 

Love the contrast of the white blooms, the white walls and the vines 

and last but not least and orange rhododendron - just because I could :) 

I know I have shared a lot this time , but the more I shoot the better I get and I love being out in nature and seeing what I can see. Thanks as always for seeing them with me.