Spring is when you feel warm sunlight on your skin, listen to the wind and birds chattering. It is the most relaxing and happiest time of the year. When you have spent last 8 years in Florida, where four seasons are warm, medium hot, super-hot and sizzling hurricane-season, you become more appreciative of “normal” four seasons. I am not going to hide it from you; I am excited to be back in the climate where I have all gorgeous and necessary periods of the year. Hot summer, gold autumn. Especially spring, when every tree and flower waking up from white and sparkle winter. This period of the year when trees that look ugly and plain during the winter, blooms in the most beautiful and amazing way. 

My lovely little Berry. I simply adore her. The reason I gave her that name is that she is cute, sweet, friendly, naïve, and younger than other our-backyard-living chipmunks. She is one tiny chipmunk who sneaked into my kitchen one day and stole few nuts while I was taking pictures of Nutsee. At that time, I was not sure, if it is boy or girl, or if this little creature lives on our property. In the beginning of the spring, my oldest son found Berry’s’ burrow right by our front door. After observing this new chipmunk for a few days, I have realized that it was the tiny thief that I saw last autumn, a bit grown up; and it is a girl. Well, you know… she has no balls! 

When you love, you love big. Red has more emotional associations than any other color, and often used as a symbol of love, the symbol of the heart. Red is a color that stirs up passion, with both negative and positive color meanings. This fiery hue is linked to lust, love and desire as well as power, anger or rage. Red is inherently exciting and naturally draws attention.  

Just Matilda and Leon's boots.

The idea to shoot in the natural habitat came to me when I saw how quickly Nutsee adjusted to photoshoots. I pushed my photography experience further by laying on the grass to blend into the surroundings. When I was waiting for Nutsee to come to my photoshoot spot, I had to hide under the blanked, which made me feel like a fool. However, it wasn't Nutsee who came out first, but Matilda. Just a while ago, I have misjudged Matilda of being too suspicions and timid. And I’ve been proved wrong, because soon I’ve realized that I don’t need to hide under the blanket for Matilda to come out. As long as I seat quiet and calm and as long as I had nuts and seeds, she would come close enough to me. She is brave, fast and cute as a button. She will look at ­­­­­­­you, analyze you and after seeing that you mean no harm, she will jump straight into the seed-hunt. 

The next day, I had an idea to shoot the chipmunk next to the toy fire truck. The relatively small size of a truck made an intriguing contrast when placed next to a tiny chipmunk. I did not expect that in a middle of shoot the little chipmunk would try to jump on the truck. 

I have found this Robert Capa’s quote when I was looking in internet for suggestions on how to improve my close up shots and it give me an idea to set 50mm lens and get the chipmunk closer. 

I have to change my tactic of following my prey like a hunter, and point my camera at a single spot and begin to wait with a patience. I spent the entire day laying down on a floor taking shots in the end I got the shot I wanted! …along with the pain in the back and the wrist. 

Do you like to drink a hot tea by the window as much as I do?  How often do you see chipmunks running by it? Before I moved to Virginia, there was a sun shining through our Floridian window with bunch of jumpy squirrels on the backyard. The only long-hoped appearance was the Cuban Knight Anole.  Yes, we have many usual squirrels on our new northern backyard too, but I was more interested in one new little creature that I saw one day. Elusive, jumpy, and watchful chipmunk.  From that moment, it become my photo-pray.

However, I had a problem choosing proper photo settings to use, all because I had no experience dealing with such fast and little creature. 

The beauty of living in the single-family house is that you have your own little piece of land, and it is up to you want to do with it: a beautiful garden, an active place for kids, or maybe a peaceful patio. Having years of experience of growing crops and trees in Russia helped me grow roses and fruit trees in my backyard in Florida. So, the first thing I did after moving in the new house in Virginia was taking a close look at the new backyard in search of the planting opportunities, and I have found quite a few of them that are interesting and cute. 

Vanderbilt’s 250-room French Renaissance chateau is a true marvel, the largest undertaking in residential architecture. Over a six-year period, an entire community of craftsmen comes together to create America’s premier home and the environmental wonderland that surrounds it. The country retreat George Vanderbilt has spent so long planning is marvelously decorated and full of festivity.  On Christmas Eve 1895, Vanderbilt officially opens Biltmore to friends and family. The finished home contains over four acres of floor space, including 35 bedrooms, 43 bathrooms, and 65 fireplaces.