It Finally Progressed to This

Compositing is the combining of visual elements from separate sources into single images. This type of photo manipulation helps greatly in the understanding of color, light, and movement. Every element has to combine into a cohesive whole. Sometimes I can make it work...others not so much.

I started out with this photo of a Giant Swallowtail. There were a number of them that kept coming back to our Purple Cone flowers and I took many photos over a period of days. This was not the most technically successful photo I took but I like it and wanted to see what I could do with it. It took several versions for me to get over my hangup of messing with a traditional photo. I'm glad I did.

I chose to use this version to make a popup card.

The world is full of magical things....beautiful things...interesting things.....

No explanation needed:

We have a hawk nesting in a cotton wood tree in our wildlife area. It is too far up in the tree for me to get pictures. They come out occasionally but are wary and difficult to photograph. Normally, they don't stay like this one did when people are around. I don't know if this is Mom, Dad or a young'un.
When I first started shooting, it was totally turned with its back to me. It still knew I was there and let me know it.
As I got closer, it turned completely around then started talking to me. I think it was saying, "OK, lady. That's close enough."

Fort Worth owns a Nature Center and Refuge. It is a hidden wilderness comprised of 3600 acres of forests, prairies, and wetlands reminiscent of how much of the Fort Worth/Dallas Metroplex once looked. It is not too far away so we became members and go every now and then to hike, watch the wildlife and have a picnic. And, of course, take photos.

I think this one was trying to sneak by unseen. I know the feeling.

Elizabeth Patton Crockett
The wife of David (Davey) Crockett.
Elizabeth was granted land in Texas for the bravery shown by Davy Crockett at the Alamo.
She died January 31, 1860. She is buried in Action, Tx. Her grave was declared a Texas State Park in 1911. The park is the fenced zone around her grave. .0006 acres and is the smallest State Park in Texas.

The Old Masonic Hall just outside the grave yard.

And then there's these. I just love'em!

Finally! I gathered some wild flowers and stuck them in a coffee mug. Photographed them and just played.