15 May

May Flowers!

At long last, spring is here!

[Even though it’s relatively chilly and rainy right now. I’m writing this post from the future! Oooo~~]

An afternoon stroll around the neighborhood produced some lovely flower shots. And who doesn’t love flower photographs? A neighbor always has an amazing garden and this year, I gathered up the courage to ask if I could take pictures. He happily obliged and I dove into his tulip- and daffodil-filled garden with glee.

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Daffodils!

White daffodils! These guys are pretty awesome with their double petals.

White daffodils! These guys are pretty awesome with their double petals.

On top of a great garden, the neighbor also sports some charming birdhouses.

On top of a great garden, the neighbor also sports some charming birdhouses.

Enjoy some hi-res tulip action!

 

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These ones are from Zion Lutheran's little gardens.

These ones are from Zion Lutheran’s little gardens.

Some AMAZING grape hyacinth also from Zion.

Some AMAZING grape hyacinth also from Zion.

White violets in the front yard.

White violets in the front yard.

The trees blossom!

The trees blossom!

There isn't much to say - I simply adore this photograph.

There isn’t much to say – I simply adore this photograph.

Some greenery from work.

Some greenery from work.

I tried to be... something... here. I'm not sure. The toy-strewn yard was just interesting. What do you think?

I tried to be… something… here. I’m not sure. The toy-strewn yard was just interesting. What do you think?

Ma's favorite. Just an old fisherman tending his ship at the foot of a huge factory.

Ma’s favorite. Just an old fisherman tending his ship at the foot of a huge factory.

So the blog is increasingly becoming a photoblog for just Birdy. Nick is committed to writing something here but hasn’t yet. We should all harass him into writing! Who’s with me??

09 May

The year’s first goslings!

Yay! There’s nothing quite like the first clutch of fluffy, yellow, peeping goslings to make your day better. It was a poopy Friday so coming home to these little guys was a major-pick me up.

Goose parent.

Goose parent.

Can I eat this?

Can I eat this?

Can I eat this?

Can I eat this?

Maybe if I pull harder...?

Maybe if I pull harder…?

DISCLAIMER: I know geese aren't supposed to eat bread, I didn't feed them. My neighbors did and I just took advantage of the opportunity.

THIS! I can eat this!

My brothers and sisters ate it all...

My brothers and sisters ate it all…

SO FLUFFY

SO FLUFFY

Peep!

Peep!

Uncle Mallard

Uncle Mallard

03 May

Detroit May, 2014

Yesterday, Nick and I went to Detroit with the intention of going to the Michigan Science Center however we got there too late. 🙁 It’s a bit of a bitchy story so I won’t go into it.

Since we were in Detroit, Nick made the decision to drive around some so I could take pictures. It was very windy and cold so I stayed in the car and shot photographs out of the window, usually while the car was moving. That being, said I am pretty damn proud of a how some of these turned out!

It’s difficult to take photos from a moving car, mostly because a lot of opportunities are missed. There’s a few things I want to return to photograph during a holiday afternoon when there is next to no traffic. I also have the intention of going to Maritime Park because it’s pretty and to hunt down the Mariner’s Cathedral. Brutalist buildings are on my list, too! My father suggested we hit up Greek Town for food.

Have some photos.

MGM Grand Detroit

MGM Grand Detroit

Classic buildings next to graffiti are interesting and sad. The impression of time passing is extremely apparent.

Sometimes the comparison is extreme, where the old is enveloped by the new. I do wonder how the graffiti painters managed to get up there and stay up there.

Sometimes the comparison is extreme, where the old is enveloped by the new. I do wonder how the graffiti painters managed to get up there and stay up there.

Sometimes the new isn't vulgar at all.

Sometimes the new isn’t vulgar at all.

And sometimes thew new escapes a decaying fate.

And sometimes thew new escapes a decaying fate.

Have some perspective.

Have some perspective.

Neva be forgotten <3 :P

Neva be forgotten <3 😛

Remnants of an industrial past make a good canvas for graffiti!

Remnants of an industrial past make a good canvas for graffiti!

Boob dog.

Boob dog.

Just a dude on a hand.

Just a dude on a hand.

A few stragglers from the storm earlier this week.

A few stragglers from the storm earlier this week.

On the way home I spotted a heron! He was in someone's backyard.

On the way home I spotted a heron! He was in someone’s backyard.

I tried hard not to startle him but I think my bright pink shirt was too much. He started and flew off to the safety of a fenced-in yard.

I tried hard not to startle him but I think my bright pink shirt was too much. He started and flew off to the safety of a fenced-in yard.

Now, before you go off on and say, “Yeah, Detroit is bad. They’re bankrupt,” take a moment to consider:

I’ve lived in Michigan pretty much my whole life. Detroit was bad when I was a small child. Flint was bad. Saginaw was bad. Bay City was bad. Everywhere was bad. It is just as bad or worse now. I’ve watched it become that way from the inside and I love it even as it rots. It is more than likely that the current condition of Detroit is as apparent or more so to me as it is to you. Unless you are literally living in Detroit and have lived in Detroit, hush.

This may seem bitchy and it may not even apply to you, but so far most of the people that I have mentioned this to didn’t grow up in Michigan and have minor experience with Detroit compared to mine. So, if you feel like saying, “Yeah, that’s Detroit,” just don’t. Close your mouth and don’t say anything.

I’m aware. Being aware doesn’t make it unremarkable. To me, life isn’t an ambivalent pissing contest spent trying to out-uncare each other. I like to have wonder. I like to be amazed. I don’t mind seeing something and weeping, mouth agape and heart fluttering at how it moves me. All your impassive reaction does is make you seem like an insensitive know-it-all. /end rant