They're Coming Back!

They're Coming Back!

Judy Royal Glenn Photography

I checked my favorite hummingbird migration map today and found the hummingbirds are coming back. Here is the link for the 2016 ruby-throated hummingbird migration map:  

http://www.hummingbirds.net/map.html

The hummingbirds are starting to arrive on the coast of Texas, Louisiana, and Florida. I looked through all of her maps dating dating back to 1997. I found they typically reach northern Georgia between March16-26, with a one showing up March 11, and one as late as March 30. There are a lot of dates for their arrival for March 16 to March 26.

I definitely plan on having my feeders out by March 12. I wish I had a huge red banner saying "Welcome home…..please stay with us!" 

Location: Callaway Gardens, Pine Mountain, Georgia

My Lensbaby

"My Lensbaby"

Judy Royal Glenn Photography

I recently bought a flower photograph course from CreativeLive and watched it last week. I learned so much from the instructor Kathleen Clemons. I am excited because one course and a new lens are going to dramatically change how I photograph flowers.

Kathleen photographs flowers in a magical way and uses a special lens called a Lensbaby to achieve the desired look she wants. Her photographs make it look so easy, but it is very difficult.

The lens has a bellow type structure which allows the lens to be tilted up, down, left and right. It has a selective spot of focus then everything around that focus is blurred.

I took my lens to the State Botanical Garden of Georgia yesterday to try it out. I knew there was a learning curve, but my greatest frustration came because it only has a 15-inch focusing distance. Last night I did buy a close-up filter and extension tubes, so I can get real close to the flowers. Can't wait to start this new journey….gotta long way to go! 

Location: The State Botanical Garden of Georgia

Windblown Egret

"Windblown Egret"

Judy Royal Glenn Photography

While I was enjoying sneaking up on this reddish egret, he was sneaking up on his breakfast. He posed for me with his natural windblown look. 

Location: St. Simons Island, Georgia 

A Ray of Light

"A Ray of Light"

Judy Royal Glenn Photography

I love I was able to capture the soft and beautiful ray of light beaming down on this flower. Sometimes light changes so frequently, and if not acted upon quickly enough, it fades away. 

Location: Callaway Gardens, Pine Mountain, Georgia

A Mountain of Dew

"A Mountain of Dew"

Happy Friday!

Location: The State Botanical Garden of Georgia, Athens, Georgia

The Race is On

"The Race is On"

Judy Royal Glenn Photography

While I in was in Haiti on my cruise, I explored the coastline to see what I could find. I found a colony of hermit crabs enjoying the sun and decided to photograph them during a two second exposure. I liked the milkiness of the waves the longer exposure created.

There is a small amount of movement from the top left hermit crab and the grey one because they were in a race. The top one on the right won:) 

Location: Labadee, Haiti

Much to Learn

"Much to Learn"

Judy Royal Glenn Photography

I have much to learn when identifying birds for my photography. Some are very easy based on their size, color, movements, and vocal calls, but others not so much. 

Their are two species of yellowlegs, the greater yellowlegs and the lesser yellowlegs. The two look very alike. It's bill length is a good indicator to distinguish the species, but I am not even going to try! 

Location: St. Simons Island, Georgia

Valentine Frost Flower

"Valentine Frost Flower"
Judy Royal Glenn Photography

I took a few brave members of the Athens Photography Guild on Wednesday to the State Botanical Garden of Georgia to photograph frost flowers. We had a great time, but the temperature was in the twenties with wind chill in the teens.
I posted information about frost flowers here if you would like more info about them.
I found this frost flower and thought it resembled a heart, so I wanted to post it to wish everyone an early Valentine's Day. Thanks for following my work:) ~ Judy
Location: The State Botanical Garden of Georgia, Athens, Georgia

What's This?

"What's This?"

Judy Royal Glenn Photography

When I saw the weather radar yesterday show the snow coming, I knew just where I was headed….to Memorial Park and the State Botanical Garden of Georgia to shoot. I captured some neat photos at both places, but one of my favorites is this goose looking up to the sky as to say, "What's this?" 

Location: Memorial Park, Athens, Georgia

Irradiating

"Irradiating" 

Judy Royal Glenn Photography

This squirrel was eating a late breakfast when I found him. But, the thing that mesmerized me was the light penetrating through his tail. 

Location: The State Botanical Garden of Georgia, Athens, Georgia 

Love Those 'Lashes'

"Love Those 'Lashes'" 

Judy Royal Glenn Photography

I lured the birds into my yard last year when it snowed by throwing birdseed on the snow. Before long, I had lots of visitors. 

Those aren't really the junco's lashes, but I think it makes the bird look prettier thinking that way:)

Suspended

"Suspended" 

Judy Royal Glenn Photography 

When I was at Callaway Gardens in Pine Mountain, Georgia, I found a grasshopper from a very different point of view. As I walked though the John A. Sibley Horticultural Center, I was tickled to find a grasshopper on the glass door. I enjoyed photographing him.

I have gone to Callaway Gardens for the last several years to photograph the immense beauty there. I am saddened to hear the John A. Sibley Horticultural Center closed on November 12, 2015 due to the decline in the economy. I will truly miss shooting in the outdoor gardens, as I discovered in the last two years, it is a hummingbird magnet. They love feeding on the purple salvia there.

 I attempted to video the fast flying ruby-throated hummingbirds on my cell phone on August 9, 2014. They were zipping by so fast, and I had a hard time keeping track of them! 

Click here for video.

 

I shot this video of a hummingbird feeding off the salvia right next to me. He was very trusting of me:)

Click here to watch this video. ENJOY!

 Location: Callaway Gardens, Pine Mountain, Georgia