Tag Archives: Nature

Hummingbird Photographs

I love this time of year in Atlanta.  While I’m not too fond of the 95 degree heat, I love knowing that we will see hummingbirds regularly starting in July.  I put our hummingbird feeders out in early July this year and  it paid off.. with one visiting hummingbird.  After that initial hummingbird visit, I didn’t see another hummingbird for almost three weeks.  This last week however, they’ve been visiting like they own our front porch and I love it!  Yesterday, I had a stand off with a hummingbird or maybe it was telling me thank you for the food. I don’t know but it was a little freaky having a hummingbird hovering about 2 feet in front of my face for good 30-45 seconds.

 

I majored in photography during my first two years of college and seeing as how I went to college 15 years ago and haven’t pursued photography as a career, I have forgotten 95% of what I learned.  I’ve held onto my love of nature photography though.  Hummingbirds are so fast and tiny making it a challenge to photograph them.  You could say I like the chase.  I don’t have to chase my kids down to photograph them.  I just say “freeze!” or “you’re not getting dinner if you don’t let me photograph you in that outfit” and they’re game.  Hummingbirds are an entirely different story.  I find myself sitting on the front porch stalking them.   I am not one to get excited about much so thank you little hummingbirds for providing me with some happy excitement for a few months a year!

What’s your favorite thing to photograph? Your kids, birds, flowers, buildings?  Please share in the comments below.
Alicia Hagan, Editor

 

January Nature Exchange Highlights at Chattahoochee Nature Center

It might be cold outside but now is the time to really show your trees how much you love them. Sure, we appreciate trees for what they give us in the spring, summer and fall- shade, fruits and nuts, that whispering sound when the wind blows. But we forget about the trees during this time of year and this is one of the best times to get to know them.

Chattahoochee Nature Center - Nature ExchangeGo outside and take a good look at the trees in your backyard or local park. Trees at this time of year can be very dramatic. Focus on how the bark looks and feels on different trees. Look up and notice how the branches are silhouetted against the sky. If you’re feeling creative, get out a camera and photograph tree silhouettes at different times of the day or from different angles.

Trees can also be silly and fun. Get creative and play a game with your tree!  Trees make great partners in hide and seek and are the perfect base in tag. You can dress up your tree with a little creativity. Make eyes, nose and a mouth out of paper and give your tree a face – add a scarf for a little whimsy!  Or build a fairy house at the base of your tree to invite some company over for your new friend.

In January, the Chattahoochee Nature Center is celebrating trees in the Nature Exchange. Throughout the month, you can “adopt” a tree that lives at CNC. There are fun learning games and activities all about trees in the Nature Exchange throughout January. And, if you trade in a tree item, you will receive 50 bonus points!

Get to know your trees and we look forward to seeing you at the Chattahoochee Nature Center.

Learn more about Chattahoochee Nature Center on AtlantaMoms.com here.

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