Manual Labor

As I was trying to think of a subject for my pictures today, I thought I'd go out back, see what was blooming, and get some pictures of whatever I found. As I was on my way outside, I looked down and saw that my camera's program dial was set on M. Hmmm... Dare I give it a whirl and see what I could do? Sure. Why not. If they turned out as complete garbage, I'd just delete the files, right? So out I go. The light was good, so I set everything how I thought it it should be, checked the meter, made a few adjustments here and there, and voila! Success! I have to say, it's quite a feeling of satisfaction to get it right.

After these, I went back onto the patio, hoping a hummingbird would come to visit (not that I thought I'd be able to catch one of THOSE with manual settings, but hey, it's worth a shot, right?). As I was patiently and quietly standing there, I heard a scratching on the glass door to the kitchen. It was Mia, who apparently was losing patience herself with my being outside (where she is dying to go but never does). Does she look annoyed with me, or what?