Blue Passion Vine by Kathiesbirds 300mm 1/80 sec-F/22 Aperature PrioritySpring
To what purpose, April, do you return again?
Beauty is not enough.
You can no longer quiet me with the redness
Palo Verde Bud by Kathiesbirds w/Nikon D80 18-70mm lens; 70mm 1/160 sec-F/8 Close-up mode
Of little leaves opening stickily.
I know what I know.
The sun is hot on my neck as I observe
Cape Honeysuckle by Kathie 210mm 1/640 sec-F5.3 Programmed AutoThe spikes of the crocus
The smell of the earth is good.
It is apparent that there is no death.
But what does that signify?
Not only underground are the brains of men
Eaten by maggots.
Life in itself
Is nothing,
An empty cup, a flight of uncarpeted stairs.
Bee on Blossom by Kathie w/Nikon D80 18-70mm lens; 70mm 1/120 sec-F/4.5 Close-up modeIs it not enough that yearly, down this hill
April
Comes like an idiot, babbling and strewing flowers.
by Edna St. Vincent Millay 1921
I remember the first time I read this poem how shocked I was by the line about men's brains being "eaten by maggots" and the surprise of the final line about "April, comes like an idiot, babbling and strewing flowers," but now it seems to me that spring is often like this, and I like the image. I think of this line every year when spring arrives.
Spring arrives for us tomorrow morning at 4:44 a.m. Mountain Standard Time. Arizona is the only state in the Union NOT to observe Daylight Savings Time. So, while everyone else is adjusting their clocks and their sleep patterns, we just go merrily on our way, kind of like spring!
All of today's photos are of the plants in our backyard. While the Palo Verde tree has been in since last year, the rest are new. I couldn't resist taking them and I am practicing using the Aperture Priority setting on my camera, thanks to some encouragement by Troy from Ramblings Around Texas. I have mentioned before that I used to know how to do all of this stuff with my Nikon FG 35mm camera, but I have yet to transfer all that knowledge to the digital age. Since I am an impatient person, I am just happy to get out there an take photos to illustrate my stories. I haven't bothered to sit down and read the 200 page book that tells me how to operate my camera. Well, a simple phone call from Troy told me how to adjust the aperture and now I am happy as can be. I hope to provide better depth of field in my shots now that I know how to adjust my F-stops! Thanks Troy!
Thanks Skywatch Team!
Click on button to observe more skies.Click on any photo to enlarge for the best view.
27 comments:
I like the way April is decribed. Some idiots are fun! Beautiful things you have in your yard!
Awesome shots, perfect for skywatch friday.
Have a great weekend!
Guy
Regina In Pictures
What a delight! Thank you so much for sharing this incredible poem, and your wonderful babbling flower garden!
I had not heard that poem before, I like it! I have a sweet smelling pink jasmine vine blooming in my yard which looks like the one in your picture with the bee.
Beautiful photos...beautiful poem...
This is why I love blogging. You come across the most interesting things. Loved the images and the accompanying poem punctutaing them which I now have to have.
this is so lovely.
Kathie I'm just thrilled to be here in your time zone enjoying all the blossoms of Spring! For me it's like August!! smiles NG
I can't get over all of the lovely life in your yard. Gorgeous!
I like the poem. The theme of my post is similar to yours, but I didn't know that til now. Spring is SO welcome! I have to chuckle at your camera confession... I am the same way and keep breaking my resolution to read the manual.
I love seeing your blooms!! So pretty!
The Cape honeysuckle looks a lovely plant!
wonderful irrational exuberance
Perfect poem for your photos... I esp like the close-up of the bee. ;)
I love that picture of the honeysuckle.
If your Nikon manual is like the Canon manual, it wouldn't do you one iota of good to read it! When I bought my 2nd Canon DSL I went to the book store and found a book that uses photography terminology instead of tech terminology. It has been far more useful.
Great photos. Especially like the one with the bee.
Oh Kathie, your post is a delight!!!
Spring is definitely springing up everywhere! I love that line about "April comes like an idiot, babbling and strewing flowers."
A marvelous ode to spring in photos and via the grand old poet. Spring is lovely in your neck of the woods.
Yay spring! Great series of photos and post Kathie, Happy SkyWatch Friday:)
perhaps the power of speech has temporarily escaped april because she is just so grateful to be warm again!
TGIF - w00t! :)
Tink *~*~*
Now Playing at My Mobile Adventures *~*~* :
Retail Therapy Skies Over Fort Myers, Florida
That was some piece by E. M...my mom was born in 1921.
You know, we don't observe daylight savings in Hawaii either.
So I guess we move merely along too..ha. Nice photos here..
Sounds like Roy has been a big help. I do not know how to do all that stuff either. Maybe I ought to start doing a little experimenting. Great post Kathie, super photographs as always.
Beautiful spring blooms.
Look forward to your spring posts.
Oh, Kathie, I do so love living in Maine. But I'm not going to lie: it's HARD this time of year--especially knowing the rest of the country is seeing spring. Thanks for sharing your blooms with me; it makes mud season a little easier to bear!
How lucky you are Kathie to not have to change your clocks in spring and autumn, it always puts me 'off' for days.
I totally hear you about reading the endless pages of instructions for new cameras when all you want to do is go out and take pictures :)
Good tip by Troy! Good pics from you! :)
And don't think I forgot about you or my other blogging friends. I follow your posts in my reader, but am very tight what time is concerned to comment!
Happy Spring!
Cheers, Klaus
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