New Location!

I have been unfortunately having some problems with my google account which affects this blog.  I am able to post, but nothing more.  So I have created another email account with google and another blog.  You can now find me at www.cresslerphotography.blogspot.com.  Everything is pretty much the same.  There are a few changes, but not much.  I did try to create a blog through wordpress, but I was having a hard time figuring things out.  So I stuck with what I know and will do the best I can to make it a blog worth visiting.

Come follow me over at the other blog!  See you there!

Monarch Butterflies vs Viceroy Butterflies

They look alike don't they, but which is which? Can you tell the difference between them? It's really quite simple.....or is it. Have you ever seen them together? They are both orange and black, have similar markings. But here's the thing they are very different....ya they look the same, but one is smaller, one has a horizontal line on the bottom wings, one is poisonous to most of their predators, or is it both, one lays her eggs on Milkweed and the larva eat the Milkweed, one lays her eggs on willow or poplar leaves and eats the willow and poplar leaves.

So whose who? 

Well the photo above is a Monarch Butterfly and of course the one below is the Viceroy Butterfly. 

So let's compare the similarities between the two.  Okay we know they both are orange and black and have white spots on the edges of their wings and what I didn't know until recently is that they are both poisonous to most bird species.  Which I found quite interesting.  But that's where the similarities end....that I know of.  Notice that the Monarch has more white spots around it's head, the Monarch is also larger having between 3"to 4" wing span and male Monarchs have a black spot on the bottom wings.  Now the Viceroy is smaller having a 2" to 3" wing span, and has the horizontal line on the bottom wings.  The female Viceroy is larger than the males.

But it doesn't end there.  The caterpillars of these 2 species though are different but similar.  Ok the Monarch caterpillar is way cuter being that it's white, yellow and black striped, where the Viceroy is brown with a white spot.  The idea with the Viceroy caterpillar is to look like a tree branch with a spot of bird poop a camaflage tactic and to top it off it is toxic, which again protects it from most predators.  They get this toxin (Salicylic acid) from the Willow, Poplar and Cottonwood (also known as poplar trees) leaves they feed from.  So the Monarch caterpillar being it's cuter (for a caterpillar that is) feeds on Milkweed.  It too is toxic to most predators and it gets this toxin  (cardenolide glycosides) from the Milkweed which like the Viceroy helps to protect once it leaves it's caterpillar life to become a butterfly. 

Unfortunately for the Monarch Butterfly I have read and seen photos of a insect known as the Stink Bug and become immune the the Milkweeds poison and is eating the young larva and caterpillars of the Monarch which is causing havoc on the species.

So there you have it.  My bit on the Monarch and the Viceroy butterflies.  Both of which I have seen our meadow.  There is so much more to learn about each of these butterflies, but maybe at a later time we can talk more about them.

In the mean time check your Willow, Poplar and Cottonwood trees for the Viceroy and check the Milkweed for the Monarchs.

Take a look at this neat Monarch Treasury.  Lots of wonderful items for that Monarch Butterfly lover.

Flower Power Friday......Buttercup

Beautifully bright Buttercup...these small yellow flowers are found in meadows and along country roads.  On a sunny day hold the flower under your chin and the bright yellow petals will bath your chin in yellow.

Last weekend I was at the Saco Sidewalk Arts Festival.  It was my first show of the season and the rain had threatened this event, but the sun ended up shining on everyone all day.  The crowds were good and sales even better.  It was great fun!  I had added new images to my collection which sold well and got great reviews.  I make it a habit to have something new every year for returning customers.  Slowly but surely I am finding my niche and I am loving it!  I will definitely do this festival next year.

Now I am preparing for the Belfast Arts in the Park show for July 7th & 8th.  I had done this show before, but was not accepted a few years ago and decided to try it again this year.  I am curious to see how well I will do.  It is one of the few shows that is kinda close to home.  If your in the area stop on in.

Have a safe and wonderful

4th of July!!!!!



Flower Power Friday....Beautiful Peonies

It has been a very very busy week.  I have been hard at work preparing for the Saco Sidewalk Art Festival this Saturday 9am-4pm.  The weather is looking a little questionable with rain.  Last year was my first year there and when I arrived it was pouring down rain and was cloudy and light shower most of the day.  This year we have had a heat wave with the so call 3 HHH's (hazy,hot and humid).  A cold front is approaching ever so slowly and my be around through Saturday which means possible thunderstorms.  BUMMER!  You know for the most part I accept what ever weather comes by way when I do these festivals.  It is just part of the job.  But you know it wouldn't hurt to have some nice weather for my first show of the season.  You know what I mean!  Saco is celebrating 250th Anniversary so I hope the people will come rain or shine.

The Peony is absolutely my most favorite flower I have ever grown!  The Peonies here are single bloom, but they come in a gorgeous double blooms and many other types of blooms too.  Some are very fragrant too!  Colors are mostly pinks and whites.  Some rich dark pinks almost burgundy color.   There are yellows and coral colors which are beautiful and expensive to have.

These flowers are in a shrub form and are great alone or as a border.  They bloom in the late Spring.  Transplanting them should be done in the fall.  They do very well in cool climates.  So they may not do so well in the South unless shaded.  They do prefer full sun.  Very hardy and deer resistant!  Once the flowers have bloomed they should be deadheaded.  The Peony shrub will stay green all season.  In the fall they should be cut back to make way for the new growth in the Spring.

Just a note...in the Spring before the Peonies get too big you should get a peony hoop support for them.  The flowers makes the shrub very top heavy and the peony hoop support will keep them off the ground.  You can get these supports at almost any garden center.

Here is a link where you can get alot more information and where to buy some of these beauties.  www.songsparrow.com They also have a great selection of hostas and daylilies.

Have a wonderful weekend everyone!

Flower Power Friday......Lupine

This week's flower is the Lupine.  These Lupines are growing in my backyard, but are very common throughout Maine.

Last year I planted 3 colors of Lupine, white, purple and pink in the meadow out back.  The goal is to let the lupines fill in the meadow.  Last year they all bloomed well and the white were especially abundent.  This year no signs of the white, the purple only 1 stalk and the pink are doing very well.  Not sure what went wrong.  Maybe next year they will all be blooming.  I will say the plants came back, just not all the blooms.  Bummer! 

My peaches are getting bigger every day.  I am seeing more of them too.

I have planted tomatoes, peppers, cukes, basil and sunflowers.  All of which are doing well.  I thought for a bit there that I had to replant my sunflowers due to all the rain we had last week, but after some drying out I saw them starting to pop up.  I have tried to grow peppers in the past, but with little luck.  I am hoping this year will be better. 

Have a fabulous weekend! 

Happy Father's Day to all you Dads

I Love You Dad!

Blueberries!!!!!!

Blueberry season is coming soon.  The blueberries in my garden are sizing up just fine.  And plenty of them too! Can't wait to have yummy blueberry pancakes with blueberry sauce or maybe blueberry lemon bread no no how about blueberry muffins no wait blueberry smoothie, ooooh how about blueberry pie yum!  I guess I had better have alot of blueberries.  How many different ways can you think of eating blueberries?

Here is my "Blueberries" treasury more ways to enjoy blueberries

See you on Friday for Flower Power Friday

Ben 2000-2012

This past week has been tough for me.  I have had to say goodbye to one of the best canine companions a person could have.  Ben had been diagnosed with a brain tumor back in March of this year.  He had lived longer than the Vets had anticipated.  The past month or so we noticed he was getting gradually worse and we (Mom and I) were giving him all the TLC we could to keep him happy.  He fought a long battle and didn't give in until the last few days he was with us.   To watch him slowly fade was heart wrenching to say the least! 

He was a very happy dog and protective.  He was a Gentle Ben, because he was just that gentle, could never hurt a thing.  Very obedient.  I never had to train him.  He was always willing to do anything for me or Mom.  There will never be another like him.  I will always remember him.

This dog is a true "Free Spirit".

Thank you for letting me go on about Ben.

I've Been Found!!!!

Wow!  I've heard of Gray Squirrels being a nuisance at bird feeders, but these Brown Squirrels top the cake.  I started with one and it was cute.  Then 2 and I was still okay with it, but now there is 3 and a Chipmunk!!!!  Someone is spreading the word.............The first Brown Squirrel that started coming around we suspect is a female who perhaps has a litter of babies.  The other 2 not really sure.  One I wonder if it's from her litter since she doesn't seem to mind him/her around.  Either way I now have to figure out how to deter them.

This little guy along with his cohorts finished birdseed in the house feeder and now he is working the finch feeder as the Finches and Sparrows and Cowbirds watch and wait!!!

I will say my cat Dexter keeps a very close eye on all 3 of the squirrels and the chipmunk.  He would love to go get em, but brown squirrels are mean and I'm afraid Dexter wouldn't have a chance!  Not that I would let him do it even if he did have a chance.

In case you missed them here are my Treasuries for the week

I was feelin groovy when I made this treasury

Some great artists on Etsy

Finally Nothin tastes better than Maine Lobstah!!

Have a Awesome Weekend!!!

Queen Anne's Lace

Queen Anne's Lace

Busy, busy, busy........between gardening and photography not much time for rest.  Slowly but surely the garden work is coming around.  I am redesigning my garden which meant one of 2 things lots of digging up sod or covering the area with black plastic for the summer.  I choose the black plastic.  I have taken some plants that needed to be relocated and transplanted them in pots for the summer.  In the fall everything will be put into a new location.  I hope the vision I have in my head looks as good in reality.

I will be planting some tomatoes and peppers this year.  I will be planting them after the full moon June 4th or there about.  Here in Maine it maybe still too cool at night for the tomatoes and peppers.  I hope to make some fresh salsa and can tomatoes at the end of the year.

In case you missed them I curated 2 treasuries this week.

This first one I dedicated to my Dad who was an avid fly fisherman.  He would be already gone fishing before the family was up in the morning on the weekends....and alot of times after dinner he'd be out fishing again...he tied his own flies too.  The only thing I regret was not having any photos of him doing what he loved best.  I sure do miss him!

Some great gifts for Dad too!

This next treasury is all for the Poppies.  They are starting to bloom in many areas now.

Have a wonderful holiday weekend!

Be Careful & Stay safe!

Just Peachy

Peach Blossom

This posting is all about peaches.....Why? Well after 3 or 4 years my peach tree has finally produced more than 3 blossoms. Which I am hoping for some peaches this year. Living in Maine growing peaches can be tough. The variety I have is "Reliance" which is suppose to handle -10 to -15 degrees. I will be photographing my peach tree as the fruit matures. 

I have used Flypaper Textures to soften up the photo some.

In case you missed them I have created 2 treasuries this week...the one above is "Just Peachy" and the one below is "The Railroad".  Great gift ideas for all on Etsy.com  Don't forget Father's Day coming up.

My uncle was a conductor on the railroad and I have always been fascinated with the railroad.

Anticipating a great sunny weekend and will be spending lots time in the garden.

Have a Super Weekend!

Bleeding Hearts

Sorry I have been away for so long. 

I have been busy on Etsy.  Still learning the in's and out's and it's alot of fun.  I've been watching my stats and they are looking good.  I have more fans on Facebook and follower on Twitter.  Since I have joined Etsy.  I have had sales already too which I am very pleased with.

Trying to keep up with the garden, but with all the rain we have been having here in Maine, it has been difficult to keep up.  I will be heading out this weekend and I will spray down with bug spray as the blackflies are out and biting viciously.

I love seeing all the flowers that are coming back.  Can't wait to start photographing them. 

The beautiful birds are coming back too.  As a matter of fact, I have now 3 bird houses and as of now 2 will be occupied by the Tree Swallows and the third is the Eastern Bluebird.  I'm still not sure who is going to end up at which house.  The American Goldfinches are back and sounding beautiful as are the Rose-breasted Grosbeaks and the Cowbirds.  The Hummingbirds are back as of a few days ago and of course the Sparrow family whose beautiful songs I love to hear in the morning and all day long.

For those who have been following, update on my dog Ben.  So far he is doing well.  I thank God for him every night.

I'll try harder to post more.

Have a wonderful weekend! 

Happy Mother's Day! 

And a Happy Mother's Day to the Moms who have animal for kids.

Where has the time gone..........

Wow....I guess it has been a while since my last post...Well what the heck have I been doing...that's what I would like to know.

Okay seriously.....I have been spending alot of time with my dog Ben.  He's doing okay, some days are good and others so so......

I have also been spending time in the garden..Getting it cleaned up and ready for planting.  I was at the Bangor Garden Show last weekend and picked up some Stargazer Lilies to add to my Lily garden.

I have also been spending alot of time on Etsy.  My new favorite place.  For those of you who don't already know I do have a shop there.  I have joined a few teams which I love.  Etsy Maine Team, Photographers on Etsy (poe) and New England Artisans Gathering all of which are great fun and having fun getting to know everyone. 

I have done 2 Treasuries....for those who don't know what the Treasury is....  Finding up to 16 individual items from 16 different shops.  Which is based on a theme from the curator of that Treasury.  It is kinda hard to explain...so check out these treasuries I have done below

This first one is Forgotten Felines.  Which I dedicated to Forgotten Felines of Maine.  When I created this treasury I wanted to make sure that all the shops involved donated some proceeds of their sale to animals...mostly cats.

This next one is Flowers for Mom.  Dedicated to all our Mothers.   Since Mother's Day is just around the corner I thought it would be appropriate.

It took me a while to figure out how these treasuries worked and to pick out a theme.  I'm starting to get the hang of it. 

I am also finding that social networking is so much easier on Etsy. It is a massive communtiy of buyers and sellers and all types of wonderfully creative minds....I find myself slowly spreading the word that Cindi Ressler Photography is here and ready to sell.  I can manage my commmunications with the teams that I am currently in and when I am ready I can add more teams.  I have had more success in people finding me on Etsy than any place else.  I have only been with Etsy since January, but I haven't put much effort into it until about a month or so ago.   Don't get me wrong, I have tried other social media networking sites, but for some reason I feel real comfortable at Etsy and getting the word out a whole lot better.  I will say I am still waiting for that first sale.  But I am going to keep plugging until I get that first sale and from there on end. 

Well I will be off to the garden for the next few days.  

Have a great weekend

My Ben.......

Ben just photographed last week........Looks great doesn't he!

Back in October 2011 I noticed Ben was having some problems with his tongue and wasn't wanting to eat his food.....we took him to our Vet.....after bloods test were done we still didn't know what was going on with Ben....he started to get better so we assumed is was okay, but around Christmas time after he got a new toy football and was playing with it about a week later the symptoms came back.  We went back to our Vet at that point he recommended that we see a neurologist, because he suspected nerve problems around his left side of his face.  We went to see the Neurologist and she checked him out all good and the only thing she found was his gag reflex wasn't good.  The Neurologist gave us several options to go with including a MRI or extensive x-rays and blood test or try some antibiotics....being that we thought Ben's general overall health was good and that he had gotten over it in the past, we decided to go with the antibiotics.  Plus the cost of the MRI or x-ray/blood were very expensive.

Ben was on the medication for a month and was getting back to his old eating habits. 

All of this occurred in late January.

Just to give you so info on Ben's personality.....He is an 11 year old black golden mix...friendly, outgoing, energetic, a happy dog. And he is a momma boy.  He is by my side all day long.  When I am not home he waits for me by the window.

Anyway....we took Ben back to the Vet a week ago, because we are having to feed him with a fork (his choice of utensil) he couldn't pick up his food with his tongue.....the Vet told use he would need a day or 2 to further research the nerves in his tongue and cheek to see if there is something we could do....but the unfortunate consensus was the my Ben has a brain tumor and there isn't anything we can do.   Being in denial and not wanting to believe the Vet I went online to see what I could learn and I kept running into dead ends.  The symptoms that Ben has I couldn't relate it to anything I had read.  So when we hadn't heard from the Vet we decided to make an appointment to get the blood work done to rule out everything else.  Yesterday we went back and our Vet, he was going to call us and when he learned we were coming in he waited to talk to us.  He had been in contact with the Neurologist and pretty much confirmed that Ben does have a brain tumor and there isn't anything we can do.  Mom and I kept hoping that this wasn't a tumor, we didn't want to believe that our Benny is dying.  I think that if our own Vet hadn't been through it just recently with his own dog, Mom and I wouldn't have accepted it....

Just yesterday morning Ben and I went for a short walk and he loves the snow and he was rolling and running and having fun...you would never know he has a brain tumor.

So now.....well he is back on the antibiotics in hopes of prolonging is life....how long he has we don't know...the Vet is surprised he has made it the 6 months so far...he had said that he dog had similar scenario and overnight his dog couldn't walk and had to be put down...so I will do whatever it takes to keep Ben happy.  Mom and I are heart broken and are trying hard to deal with this the best that we can, taking it one day at a time.  I really hope the medicine helps and the Vet says as long as the medicine is working he will stay on them.

So now we go back to our daily routine of sorts and what will be will be.....lots of love and TLC.

I went back and forth on whether I wanted to do this blog, but I choose to for 2 reasons...1 if someone as a dog or cat going through the same thing it might help and 2 I want everyone to know that Ben is an awesome dog!

Easter's on it's way........

Asiatic Lily

 Easter is just around the corner. So now is the time to start thinking of giving that special someone the Lily that will last a lifetime. I have several lilies in my Etsy shop that would look great in any home or office. I also have more savings and flowers on my website. Check my promotion page for even more savings.

I have added a new photo to my Etsy Shop.  Stop in and check it out.

As usual this time of year I start to get anxious about doing shows. I have lined up 12 Arts and Craft Festivals this year. I have been accepted in all but 2 right now. Some I have done before and some are new. I have 5 festivals in Maine, 4 in Massachusetts, 2 in Connecticut and 1 in New Hampshire. Check my 2012 Schedule for times and dates. I will be posting them as the dates get closer.

I will say that the Saco Sidewalk Arts Festival is planning to be a huge event this year, as they are celebrating it's 250th birthday.  There will be lots of artisans and other activities about. June 23rd is the art festival date.

Oriental Lily

Oriental Lily

Oriental Lily

I hope everyone had a great weekend. 

This stunning beauty is an Oriental Lily that was growing in my neighbor garden.  I hope to plant some this year. 

I spent the weekend mostly chillin......I have been so overwhelmed with e-marketing that I just had to stop and take a couple of steps back..... 
I have been getting ready to photograph my Mom's stuffed toys that she makes using various fleece patterns.  She will be having her own Etsy shop soon.  We just have to get everything photographed and desciptions made.  I will let you know as soon as her shop is up and running. 
I just found out yesterday that I have been accepted into the Etsy Maine Team.  I am very thrilled about that and looking forward to part of the team.

I am pretty new to the Etsy community and I have to say I am very excited about selling my photography there.  There are alot of great ways to promote and sell my photography. I am looking forward exploring and meeting new people.  I should have done this sooner!  

Tricolored Heron

 

While visiting Florida back in 2010 we stopped at the Black Point Wildlife Drive Refuge, which is part of the Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge.  This Tricolored Heron was one of many many birds we saw on our trip.

And while I am on the topic of birds....I am thrilled to have seen my  Eastern Bluebird pair returning last night checking out the birdhouses.  I hope this year to get some better photos.

West Quoddy Lighthouse

West Quoddy Lighthouse

Lubec, Maine

So here it is.....I photograph this scene last October and though it wasn't raining the clouds refused to leave or even part some....the color version wasn't working for me so I decided to go black and white.  I used Nik Silver Efex and with some tweaking I like what I was seeing.  The clouds were looking good and in general the scene popped, but I wasn't completely satified.  In Silver Efex I tried toning, but still wasn't quite what I wanted.  So I tried Topaz Adjust and used the brown tone which is the photograph below.  I know which one I like, but which do you like.  Your input and any comments are truly appreciated.

Have a great weekend...Happy St. Patrick's Day!



Spring is in the Air!

It's time to start planting those Pansies

Okay so not quite time yet here in Maine to plant the Pansies, but soon......I just can't wait to get out in the garden and get dirty!  I have big plans for additions to the garden this year and I am so eager to get started.  I will post a photo of my garden after the snow melts and then I will post the garden throughout the season.  Hopefully in April I will get back to posting my "Flower Power Friday".

Last year my garden went astray because I was too busy with the cookie and photography business. Now with just the photography which I hope to be busy with, there will be enough time to devote to my garden.

I have recently started eating healthier (I miss my junk food) and I'm exercising....Very hard for me to believe that I have actually been doing this for over 2 months and I am keeping up with it.  With that said I am off to the garden......as soon as the ground thaws. 

TIDBIT:  I am also working on a book that will have something to do with my garden.  Which I hope will be out in time for Christmas.

Black Vulture

Black Vulture Coragyps atratus

This lovely Vulture was photographed back in 2010 on my Florida trip.  He was at the Anhinga Trail just inside the Everglades National Park.  We were told that we needed to cover our tires and windshield wipers because they will tear them up.  When we left there was a car with several of these Vulture all over it.  Hope they had plenty of spares.

I first processed this in Silver Efex and then added a texture layer to give it an ominous feel.

Have a great weekend!

She Sells Seashells by the Seashore........

Wow!  Where has the time gone?   Sorry I have been out of the loop, but I have been doing alot of thinking and editing and revamping of my whole structure.  What is working and what is not what needs to changed and how can I improve.  What stays and what goes........I still have alot of work ahead of me, but I finally think I am on the right track.  Social media was and is fun, but became very overwhelming to me....with all the different networks out there and trying to figure out which one(s) to choose was crazy.  I don't want to spend all my time on the computer....I am after all a photographer and I need to get out there and photograph and edit......so I have kept a few choice networks and photo sites that I hope will work out and at the end of the year I will re evaluate and decide what stays and what goes.......I do know that my Website, Twitter and Facebook will be constants, but 500px, Fine Art America and Etsy will be determined.

Chambered Nautilus (Nautilus pompilius)

This is a new series "Seashells".  I have been an avid seashell collector my whole life.  I only collect seashell that have no living creature inside the shell.  Seashell collecting is great fun if you preserve the life inside the shell and only collect the shell that is empty.   For years I have had all these shells and wanted to do something with them, but wasn't sure what.  It dawned on me to use my texturing techniques with the shells to give them more dimension.  I will be adding more to the series as time allows.  Believe me when I say I have lots of seashells to share.

I'm back and I will be posting often........keep in touch and share your thoughts.

Have a wonderful day!

Chains

So I have been playing around with my some new software Silver Efex Pro 2 and Topaz Adjust 5.  It is a slow process, but I am learning.  I really want to step my photos up a notch without over doing it.  I find myself getting so involved with editing that I am neglecting other things I should be doing.  Then I tell myself, show season doesn't start until June.  So I have lots of time to improve on my skills.  So I look to you my cyber friends to let me know how I am doing.  Good, bad or otherwise any and all comments and suggestions are helpful.  After all we are artists and we should be used to critiques.  So let me have it!

So the top photo......I first went into Topaz Adjust 5 and tweeked the details, then went to Silver Efex Pro 2, did some more tweeking, but I feel like something is missing.

The bottom photo I just used Topaz Adjust 5.

I'm really not sure which photo I like better.  What do you think?



Green Heron

This beautiful Green Heron (Butorides virescens) was seen sitting among the mangroves at the Ding Darling Bird Sanctuary on Sanibel Island, Florida.

So What Do You Think?

So what do you think?  I recently purchased Topaz Adjust 5 and it is giving me so much insight on some great features, which are helping me with alot of photos I was having difficulty with, but what I was most interested in was HDR.  I know I still have a ton to learn and there are other software that are better suited for HDR processing, but I wanted to try it to see if I liked it first.  I did post this photo earlier this year "In a Daze" take a look to see the difference.
I would appreciate your comments and or suggestions.
Have a great weekend!

Roseatte Spoonbill

Spoonbill

What a fascinating bird, while watching this bird it would move it's head side to side skimming the water for food.  As you can see they have beautiful pink and white plumage and what about that red eye!  I photographed this Spoonbill at the Blackpoint Wildlife Drive on Merritt Island in Florida.

Liquid Silver

This is actually a photograph of a Harbor Master's boat reflecting off the harbor in Belfast, Maine.