Monday, April 18, 2016

Harry's Back!

He may have been back for awhile but I had my first Harry the Heron sighting on Sunday!


At long last spring has come to mid-Michigan! And, unlike the previous "false alarms," this one looks to stay for at least two weeks -- and by then it will be May, so it should mean it's a done deal!


One can only hope, although I can't complain. Our winter was fairly mild by Michigan standards. I had daffodils sprouting out of the ground in January and lived in panic that they wouldn't make it till the spring between snowfalls, ice, warm ups and then more cold weather.


But they did make it. And Harry is back! Spring really is here.


I leave you with a few photos using some of the various settings from the camera.


I confess, even though manipulated photos aren't always my favorite (too much journalism in my past!), I have to say I'm really having fun with this!


I guess you never know what you'll find and you're never too old to discover something new is fun!


(And I suppose since one of the key roles of PR people was/is to manipulate information to present it in the best way possible, I suppose a manipulated photo or two isn't really too inappropriate!)


Or at least I'll keep telling myself that. Yeah, and that it's art, too!

25 comments:

Mae Travels said...

When a journalist manipulates a photo it's a lie. What you do is art. And there's no problem for your readers in making that distinction!! No different than putting elements/colors/designs in a painting. IMHO

admiring your artwork... mae at maefood.blogspot.com

Deb said...

Great shots of Harry.

Lisa's Yarns said...

It's great to see Harry again! He sure is handsome and your photos of him are so great. I agree with the first commenter - what you have done isn't manipulation so much as it is art and experimentation!

Spring seems to have arrived for good here, too! I'm so glad as I was really getting tired of the cold weather we've had recently.

Tina Fariss Barbour said...

Harry is a beauty! I don't think I have ever seen a heron in person.

I know what you mean about manipulated photos. No, no, no in journalism, and now that I'm in public information, since it's for a county government, I think the same rules should apply. But on our own, for blogs and such, I say go for it! It's art.

Barb said...

Hello Harry and Hello spring! I always manipulate the photos - that's part of the fun. Usually, though, I don't do it in-camera (however, when I first got my Olympus, I had to try all the settings).

Joanne Huffman said...

Happy Spring! Don't think of them as manipulated photos; think of them as photos from more than one perspective,

Laura said...

Great and fun pictures,
I'aback and hope to keep up with my blog
Hope or week is fun

Daniela said...

Hi Harry, you're truly wonderful !

Hope your week is off to a great start, dearest Jeanie, I wish you wonderful days to come,
sending blessings to you

Dany

Tammie Lee said...

wonderful photos of Harry
such a lovely setting
certain things like this do make a season feel real
i feel that way when the sandhill cranes return

anno said...

These make me feel like I've been in Monet's garden (even though I'm pretty sure he never painted any herons): that's the power of art, to transform experience. Beautiful photographs, Jeanie.. I always appreciate the gift of your vision.

Bleubeard and Elizabeth said...

What fun it was to meet Harry. And how wonderful to live so close to a marsh that you have all these fabulous photos, manipulated or not, of Harry and springtime in Michigan. So I say, when it comes to photos, manipulate away, dear!

The French Hutch said...

I always enjoy your sightings of Harry. Great photos and I love the fun photos. Mother nature at it's best!
Thanks Jeannie……….

Victoria Zigler said...

YAY! Glad Harry's back! I'm also glad the daffodils made it! :)

Focus on the thought that the photos are art.

The Artful Diva said...

Spring time and love is in the air. Has Harry met Sally yet?

Sandra Cox said...

How exciting. I love herons.

Castles Crowns and Cottages said...

Oh Jeanie! I saw a heron flying over head this weekend! What a sight!!! Spring is here for both of us, isn't it??

bj said...

I've seen them in zoos only...interesting birds

shoreacres said...

Harry's not just back, he's in full breeding plummage. I hope he finds a sweetheart soon, and presents you with a baby or two.

Your in-camera settings are interesting. I know that mine will do such, too, but I'm still at the stage where I'm trying for focus, sharpness, and such. One of these days, I'll find myself in a hotel room, or somewhere similar, and will spend some time messing around. When I'm out and about --like at your ditch -- I just want to record nature as it is.

Are those water lilies, or lotus? Whichever, they're a good reminder that I need to get over to Anahuac, on the other side of the bay, and see what's up over there. When I was there last fall, there were so many dead or dying lilies, and I swore I'd get back to see the flowers. I'd better get with it!

likeschocolate said...

Beautiful bird!

Marilyn Miller said...

Oh Harry, you are more beautiful than ever. How wonderful to see him again in all your photo experiments. I love them all.

BECKY said...

Hi Jeanie! Lovely photos, and especially of Harry, of course! I popped over to your other blog and skimmed through your post about the various books you read....Are YOU the little girl in all those photos?? Adorable!!

Maggie said...

Hi Jeanie,
Whatever kind of spin you put on it these are gorgeous pix of Harry the Heron.
Enjoy your lovely spring time.
M

Preppy Empty Nester said...

Jeanie - These photos are magnificent! Have a great week.

My name is Erika. said...

Cool photos. Our herons are back too, and they are one of those signs of the season. Its really good to see all these birds back and flowers blooming...its such a happy thing. Enjoy your weekend:)Erika

Anne said...

Fun times. AGAIN!! And Harry, too. Nice post. Oh, and I enjoyed seeing the place set for me. Sorry but the invitation arrived too late. Alas.

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