52Frames Details Weekly Photo Challenge

The subject this week was “details” for the 52Frames photo challenge. Since we were sitting on the balcony one pleasant afternoon there were a few options. Some of the window box flowers looked pretty. The miniature rose plant from the grocery store had its first bud of the season - it’s the third year my husband has had success keeping this plant alive. The bud had a tiny aphid type creature sitting on it. Then there was the whiskey sour glass sitting in front of my husband that looked - and was - very refreshing. There was also a small rainbow that reflected on the balcony floor and also my husband’s face. You could see every detail in his eyebrow. But later in the week the crow who comes to visit stopped by. He/she is always stealing the coco liner from the window boxes. It’s not infrequent that we have staring contests. So the bird landed on the rail and as soon as I saw it I grabbed my phone. It was like he was posing for the photo - all fluffed up and tilting his head. So I isolated him from the photo and put him on a white background. That enhanced the image and the various feathers looked very impressive. I see this bird swooping in out of the corner of my eye and usually do my best to make him leave - except for this time. I know he will be back looking for more mischief. 

Birds on the Balcony

I like watching birds - always did for as long as I can remember. We had so many different birds in our Midwest backyard, but we had birdbaths, flowers and baskets, and feeders to attract them. Even in our Capitol Hill home we had a small garden patio with a birdbath and garden that attracted a lot of critters. The bird bath was a big hit! Having cardinals stop by was always a treat. When we moved to northern Virginia three years ago we now just have a small balcony in our condo. On the back of the chairs we hung three hanging baskets that have liriope, ivy and some left over winter pansies. I haven’t felt like setting annuals just yet to refresh the dull contents. But the baskets are enough to attract the crows who love to hide things in them and have face offs with us. Whenever they show up it feels weird. A mockingbird stopped by yesterday and sat on the rail for a long time having taken nest materials from the coco liners. A group of sparrows also popped by last week. And of course there were the morning doves that I don’t particularly like. We are on the fourth floor so it’s odd to get the occasional visitor, but I’m glad they stop by. We saw a bluebird in the park the other day and of course I love watching the ducks on the national mall. They are everywhere there. Sometimes we have rice to throw at the birds when we think of it. Feathered friends are nice to know. It’s the small things that count.