JulieMariePicsAt the Zoo
Posted on May 26, 2017
With three grandkids and two more grandkids from our “Swiss daughter”, we took a trip to John Ball Zoo in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Zoos can be a photographic challenge due to the fact that you often have to shoot through glass, bars, or mesh. That said, here are some photos from the fun had by all.
American & Swiss
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In the Conservatory with the Camera by Dr. Julie
Posted on May 23, 2017
Actually, the first 10 photos are from recent trips to two conservatories: Hidden Gardens near Tecumseh, MI and Meijer Gardens in Grand Rapids.
Conservatories have a mixture of the opportunity to take pictures of plant life not common to your area (saving by not traveling to the tropics) and some challenges. The muted lighting in conservatories sometimes may require a flash to get the effect you want. You may also need to work hard to get a suitable background for your image.
The pictures that follow (except for the last one) were taken using an 18-55 zoom lens.
My Favorite Conservatory Picture (from a previous trip)
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Lighthouse, Lake & Beach
Posted on May 19, 2017
Michiganders will likely recognize the distinctive lighthouse at the Holland Harbor entrance. The building was constructed in 1907 and is an historic landmark.
I am usually careful to check my camera settings before heading out to shoot, but this time I didn’t. My camera was set to use a special effect setting. I liked the images and share some of  them with you. I quickly changed the settings to more familiar ground and took some additional shots. Captions (when used) will give you some needed context for the images.
Red-Headed Grandson
Grandson Chasing Seagulls
Grandson and Dune
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Dr. Mallard
Posted on May 13, 2017
In my homage to NCIS, here are some Mallard photos from the Kellogg Bird Sanctuary.
Morning Stretch
In the Air
On the Land
On a Date
Profile
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Trumpets and Mutes
Posted on May 11, 2017
In addition to the singular Australian Black Swan, the Kellogg Bird Sanctuary has a few dozen white swans. The white swans are trumpeter swans (all black beak) and mute or common swans (orange beak). Here are some white swan photos and one interloper.
Mute Swan
Trumpeter Swan
Profile
Inahurry
Housecleaning
Naptime
Canadian Goose Profile
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Reflections
Posted on May 9, 2017
Sometimes the subject matter of the day lends itself to reflections in impressionistic images from the water or very stark modern geometric art. Here are a couple of images of both from last weeks bird sanctuary outing.
Redbud
Birches
Reeds
Reeds2
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Environs
Posted on May 6, 2017
We took a rather circuitous (think lost) – but scenic – route to get to the bird sanctuary last week. Deciding to enjoy the moment, we stopped and took some pictures on the way. The red-bud and dogwood were in full bloom and seemingly everywhere. Here is some of what we saw on the way and a scenic shot from the bird sanctuary.
The blue bird of happiness greeted us.
Two Shores
Dogwood
Red Blossoms
This stick was seemingly floating in mid air. I never saw any support for it. Can you?
At the Sanctuary,
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The Black Swan
Posted on May 4, 2017
The Kellogg Bird Sanctuary in southeastern lower Michigan provides a safe haven for native birds and water fowl along with a singular black swan. Blacks swans’ normal habitat is throughout most of Australia. The black swan at the Kellogg Bird Sanctuary is believed to be an escapee from a zoo and is cared for year round. The white stripe across the bill of the black swan is a normal marking. The black swan is nearly twice the size of a Canadian goose with a wing span that exceeds 6 feet in adulthood.
The swan was actively feeding and hard to catch in a quiet or dryer moment.
Wing cleaning. Don’t try this move at home.
