April 14th, Storms

The first real storms of the year moved through this afternoons and evening.  Got to shoot a wall cloud and then later I caught some lightning.

Plum Blossums

Our Mexican plum trees are absolutely loaded with blooms.  Now if we could just find some morels I would feel like spring was finally here.

Blizzard Birds 2-2-11

I have been wanting to get a shot of one of our Bluejays but they are quick to leave as soon as the door is opened.  Had to get this shot through the kitchen screen.

While I was at it I spotted one of our male Cardinals waiting his turn behind all the Redwing Blackbirds and Starlings.

Sun Pillar

I got to witness my first sun pillar this evening.  I had to darken this shot a little bit to bring out the pillar but it was very easily seen with the naked eye.

The Hunter the Rabbit and the Dog.

The weather was so nice out today and into this evening that I decided to get out and get some star trail shots this evening.

This first shot is a 15 second exposure.

This one is the same 15 second exposure from the first shot and 12 5 minute exposures stacked and darkened so that only the brightest stars actually show up in the trails.

This final one is the same 15 second exposure as the other two shots, its also the same 12 5 minute exposures stacked, only they are lightened so that only more of the stars show up in the trails.