Saturday, September 8, 2007

Butterfly surprise




This is just a guess, but I'd probably be a better photographer if I took the time to read my camera's manual! A big part of me enjoys the delight and surprise of the 'happy accident,' as opposed the the 'happy snap.' Happy snaps are, to me, of the mindless point-and-shoot persuasion. I try to capture interesting angles and compositions; expressions and poses. When I'm called on to the the point and shoot thing, I try to make the pics look as interesting as possible.

I noticed this beautiful butterfly clinging to an old vegetable rack beneath the garden table. It snuck into the corner of my vision as I was on my way to the kitchen. I ran for my camera, got back, and it was still there. Gingerly, I pulled the rack out from under the table, hoping not to disturb this winged visitor. I'm guessing the poor butterfly felt threatened and exposed. Without calling too much attention to it, lest Jax or Jo decide to eat it, I zoomed in, closer and closer, until I got this shot. I love the juxtaposition of the grid's shadows superimposed over the velvety colours of the wings! And, the fact that I caught it, super sharp!

Such a delight, this butterfly was huge, biggest one I think I've ever seen.I pushed the rack back under the table and left him there. When I checked later, he was gone. What a lovely gift of spring. Lucky me!

Saturday, September 1, 2007

FORA=Friends of Rescued Animals




Today we visited FORA - Friends of Rescued Animals in Roodepoort. I'm not one for spending time at facilities which house unloved and unwanted dogs. I find it upsetting, and every time I close my eyes, I see pleading brown eyes branded on the inside of my eyelids. FORA is a breath of fresh air, thankfully. Cats and dogs, although many and housed closely together, seem at home, well fed and far from desperate. Probably because they have a NO KILL license, with a current one-in-eighty chance of being rehomed! Thats a brilliant rehoming rate! We are hoping to do some work at he FORA premises in future.

S P R I N G! at last!



Thank ye gods of pretty flowers! My favourite time of the year has arrived, and I'm hoping that'll be the end of the cold. Yes I know, there's usually a couple of cold snaps to get through before summer is well under way and I'm bitching about the horrendous heat.

I love driving through Jo'burg's oldest suburbs - seeing the trees turn, suddenly bursting into bright-green-bud. The sudden surprise of the blossoms languishing over a wall; grateful for the change in the sky, have you noticed how, as the seasons change, it deepens it's blue?

I love this crazy city in spring!