Seeing as it's a bit slow, I thought I'd start a thread on day to day stuff.
The Gang Gang cockatoos arrived with the young making an awful racket to be fed.
(https://postimg.cc/image/6xrm662sb/)
Today was fig picking and our dog Molly was running off with the dropped ones.
(https://postimg.cc/image/9o47i7hbt/)
AWWW Molly looks like such a sweetie... I went for a walk in the jungle and then lolled about a lot ....
I just love seeing these posts.
(https://postimg.cc/image/hlww2x4rx/)
That's definitely a jungle Lyn.
What a beautiful shot Candy. Is it a hawk?
It's a Red Tailed Hawk, Tess. They do nest around the land but usually much farther behind us, which is the case this year, too.
Wow, what amazing shots everyone! I miss the hawks, use to see them when I stayed Arizona.
Lynn, the jungle looks like something out of a fairy tale, so beautiful.
Tess, the cockatoo family is wonderful. I never saw any of those around Melbourne. Does Molly like to eat the figs or just to fetch them?
This groundhog I took a couple of years ago in Houlton Maine at the side of the house.
(https://postimg.org/image/8foxcsdgh/)
Hannie
Cute goundhog Hannie. Molly likes to eat the figs, apples, pears, apricots, strawberries etc. If it's fruit, she will eat it. :)
We made relish last week and tomato sauce this week. Our neighbourhood does a swap with fruit and veg. We give apples, figs etc and they give us tomatoes and carrots.
(https://postimg.cc/image/51w74jrq5/)
Oh wow. The cockatoos are very cool Tess and love Miss Molly's gorgeous eyes! Your neighborhood swap is neat. Like the bottles the sauce is in! ^-^
Lynn ... gorgeous jungle. Is this where you and hubby take your strolls? I would run out of disc space for all the photos. ::)
Candy, beautiful photo of the hawk! Do you spend lots of time looking out that window?
Hannie, like the cute little groundhog. Has the llama near you been behaving?
Shadow and I spent Friday at the lake since the weatherman said we would be in for it this weekend. It was gorgeous. There were a couple of brave sail boaters on the water (winds were high) and there were plenty of birds soaking up the sun. We just tootled around enjoyed a lazy day. Today we are just trying to stay dry. The weatherman was right and thunderstorms have been rumbling through for hours now.
(https://postimg.cc/image/fc2z106ol/) (https://postimage.org/app.php)
What a lovely shot Shadow. The lake sounds wonderful and relaxing.
Thanks Tess. We are lucky to be so close to the water. We escape there often.
Tess, what a great idea to swap fruit with your neighbours. Those bottles with sauce look like they will be really good, if I remember well tomato sauce is the same as ketchup?
A fruit eating kelpie, that is great! My brother had a rottweiler named Jenny (rescue dog) that was crazy about tangerines. Then one day she needed medications but refused to eat the teaspoon or so of granules, even when mixed up in her food. My brother laced a tangerine with the granules and Jenny ate it. About a minute after she finished the tangerine a perfect spray of granules she spit out.... ;D
Hannie
Haha Hannie, smart dog. Yes ketchup and sauce are basically the same thing. Homemade is lots nicer. :)
Great photos! We were celebrating our anniversary (27 years) with a little shopping trip to St. Cloud. My photo would have been a shot of a bald eagle on the side of the highway. It had landed to investigate the remains of a deer, but I was driving and my husband wad asleep, so no photo :(
Happy Anniversary Tori! Sorry you missed the eagle shot.
Too funny Hannie. Shadow is not fond of medicine either. You think it has gone down with the peanut butter, cheese, bacon ... whatever, and then wala ... there's the confounded little pill on the floor. Now we do what the vet taught us - pill way back in the mouth, hold the mouth and then follow with treat ... er, meatball! ::)
Tess,
(https://postimg.org/image/d4yia0fi9/) (https://postimage.org/) learned something new. Tomato sauce is ketchup. I was thinking of the cans of tomato sauce we use here. I imagined rows of those bottles on my shelf ... like good wine in the bottles. :funny: My Mom is Italian ... we use lots and lots of tomato sauce. ;)
My South African blood lily, Haemanthus coccineus, was open before I even noticed. Managed to get a photo after a honey eater bird had it's way with it lol.
(https://postimg.cc/image/ndag2st5p/)
Love your blood lily Tess, are there no leaves?
South African lilies are so sneaky! I have a clivia, one day there is nothing and the next there is the flower. I can never catch it coming up... :mad:
Beautiful flower Tess. Looked it up so I could see the pre-honey-eater-bird look. The clivia is gorgeous too Hannie. What else do you gals have in your gardens?
I bet the bees love your flower, Tess!
Quote from: Hannie on April 04, 2017, 11:32:16 AM
Love your blood lily Tess, are there no leaves?
South African lilies are so sneaky! I have a clivia, one day there is nothing and the next there is the flower. I can never catch it coming up... :mad:
Hannie, it has large leaves first, they die off and the flower comes up. It's weird.
(https://postimg.org/image/51zv8xelx/)
Some of our roses.
(https://postimg.cc/image/4049623fx/)
Lillies.
(https://postimg.cc/image/p0p11ypmx/)
Camelia
(https://postimg.cc/image/4ulj32tzd/)
Koalas. ::)
(https://postimg.cc/image/ldmt9pd1n/)
Tess, you have a regular zoo there!
The camelia is gorgeous, not easy to get them to look like that.
Your South African blood lily sounds like an alien... :)
This is my morning photo, the coots are busy nesting in a canal near my house. What the dachshund is to dogs, the coot is to birds: totally fearless and feisty.
(https://postimg.cc/image/de0mjiswp/)
Interesting bird Hannie. I read up on them and they are quite vicious to their chicks if there are too many to feed.
What would we do without our nature walks each day... this is another part of our walks.. they set us up for the day physically and spiritually :)
Wow Lynn. What a great place to walk. Here's our morning outing. Some spring babies were out for a stroll.
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(https://postimg.cc/image/ys774dl75/) (https://postimage.org/)
Love the ducklings! We have migrating birds back but haven't seen any babies yet. A path in a local park we enjoy:
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Those ducklings are a hoot. We have been watching them every morning.
Like your park path Tori. We enjoy paths or trails that have that dappled sunlight. Something about being surrounded by ole' Mother Nature.
I love the backlight on the ducklings, great Easter photo!
This is such a nice topic. When I went out this morning I noticed that over the years I have paid less and less attention to what is out there in my neighbourhood.
I saw that the the city placed floating islands in the canal and the birds are building nests there.
Also lovely little potted floral arrangements that residents place on the sidewalks. :)
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Beautiful! Beautiful! Quack (beautiful) :)
Beautiful says it all, but now I am so jealous! Things are just starting to leaf out here and my only hope was that a storm would come through before nightfall--now it is at 10 pm. I'll think of something and in the meantime I will sulk. ;)
This has been a really fun subject--keep it up. :up:
Margie
Glad the fuzzy little ones brought a smile :)
Hannie, you are so right. Very nice topic and what an ingenious idea ... those islands. Look forward to what you find nesting there.
These little ones have been so entertaining. Wish I had thought to turn on the video. These 4 left Mama's side and braved the waterfall and the one on the edge ended up all the way back down into the pond. Fearless little one! ;)
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Lyn, what brave ducklings!
Now I'm jealous, you have a waterfall near and I only have a fountain... :mad:
Hannie
Lovely duckling pics Lyn.. made me smile :) For lack of restores I was about to wash the kitchen floor when look who was looking through my (dirty) kitchen window!
then he saw me and flew into the tree... what a nice treat.. now I have to go wash the floor.. :(
Hannie, you crack me up. ;D
Wow Lynn! So glad you shared your surprise visitor!
(https://postimg.org/image/5a93g242p/) (https://postimage.org/) Sure beats
(https://postimg.org/image/mfybkqgzr/) (https://postimage.org/)
A pileated!!!!! :D
Car wash today? Probably not.
(https://postimg.cc/image/5qntvs70h/)
Lol Tori, sad looking day but beautiful in it's own way.
Not much different over here, looking forward to another crop of these, last year's jalapenos, serranos and chili peppers.
(https://postimg.cc/image/p619shtyr/)
Tori, hope today was better.
Hannie, Yum!! What do you make with those scrumptious peppers?
Lyn, we use the peppers in soups, stews, Thai food and my favorite: nachos!
Hannie
Sounds tasty Hannie! Care to share?
Now you've gone and done it Hannie ... it's Nachos for lunch today!
(https://postimg.org/image/so1x7129b/) (https://postimage.io/) (https://certificity.com)
Yum!
I want some too!
Quote from: Shadow on April 19, 2017, 11:57:44 AM
Now you've gone and done it Hannie ... it's Nachos for lunch today!
(https://postimg.org/image/so1x7129b/) (https://postimage.io/) (https://certificity.com)
:wow: :up:
Before today's rain. After today's rain.
(https://postimg.cc/image/4qsiwrunx/)
(https://postimg.cc/image/kdjsa58fx/)
Oh no Candy, I hope the rain stopped and that we don't have to organize a copy run to The Sooner State!
Hannie
It did stop, Hannie and tough it is clouded over today, there is no rain. Our area received a little 3.5 inches of rain in a short period of time. It always amazes me that people try to drive over low, running water, areas. Several rescues were done for that very reason yesterday.
Candy, glad to hear it stopped. Yes, so many people underestimate the power of water, even when it only knee high you can be swept away.
Winter has returned to Minnesota, a good day to catch up on indoor chores.
(https://postimg.cc/image/nm600xbjr/)
Oh my Tori!!!!
Yikes, indoor chores!
Hannie
Ha ha... you know you've had a lot of rain when a duck waddles by.
(https://postimg.org/image/7xs2jvk4h/)
Candy, I can still see a lot of water. Good for the duck but not so for you!
My moring walk, I had to chuckle when I saw what happened to my neighbourhood... lamp shades everywhere!
(https://postimg.cc/image/4k4y2jaax/)
(https://postimg.cc/image/4qxhcmfgv/)
Are you finally drying out Candy?
Hannie ... love your morning walk path. The lamp shades are a hoot! Shadow would be stopping at every tree to say "hi" :funny:
Love the lamp shades!
Storms are getting near so Momma and the baby birds were nowhere to be found this morning. This limber goose (?) was enjoying the waterfall...the heck with "fowl" weather! :funny: Amazing how they can twist their necks and turn their heads so far around. She kept a real close eye on us.
(https://postimg.cc/image/b4x07g0nh/)
Lynn, I like your Roman tufted goose but would rather twist my neck for this:
(hubby made these and I'm not sharing any of it ^-^)
(http://s210.photobucket.com/user/marijtje2/media/nachos.jpg.html)
(https://postimg.cc/image/5eh98ad0p/) (https://postimage.io/app.php)
Oh Hannie :funny: You did it again. Now I know what I want for lunch. (You and Pat have the best hubbies!)
Thanks for naming the goose for me. There are a pair at the pond that have given us many funny moments these last few weeks.
Oh nice goose Shadow.. nice colors... and Hannie?? I'm supposed to be trying to stay on my diet!!! No hope.. I am now starving.... :mad:
Lynn, diet is not a very nice word! :police:
The nachos were amazing... :)
Kind of lost hope of seeing them this year, must have been the cool weather in April that slowed everything down. But here they are! Mom and Dad and 7 little furballs.
Hannie
(https://postimg.cc/image/n793o5zpz/)
You are SO right Hannie. D*** is a four letter word. I prefer "watching what I eat" ... there goes nachos, there goes pasta, there goes pie ... :funny:
Glad you shared the wonderful family with us. Those furballs make my day.
So cute!
Quote from: Shadow on May 02, 2017, 10:54:05 AM
Are you finally drying out Candy?
Hannie ... love your morning walk path. The lamp shades are a hoot! Shadow would be stopping at every tree to say "hi" :funny:
Yep. We're finally getting there. :)
LOL From ducks, to dogs, to lampshades.... LOVE IT ALL!!
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Broke a tooth. Grateful my dentist was able to repair it. No more Milk Duds for me . :-[ :)
Shadow, or Milk Bones? :funny:
P.S. Okay, not funny.
Margie
Poor Lyn! The only time I broke a tooth was eating chocolate while I was in the US. Makes you wonder about your dentists and chocolate manufacturers ... ?
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Margie, too funny! Good to see you.
And Hannie, now you got me thinking :funny:
We found the wee ones under some trees and this is the only one not scurrying around.
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That is so cute Lyn, nice shot too!
Thanks Hannie. How are the wee ones near you doing?
Not sure Lyn, the swan parents used to nest where I could see them every day. Now they are in a different place so I don't get to see them very often.
Hannie
Lovely quacky baby Lyn.. beautiful shot :loveit: I've missed half of what's been going on in this forum.. seems there is a lot of talk about food...
:loveit:
They are back, click Here! (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xjW-8iglJ-w&feature=youtu.be)
Yea! We adore the wee ones. Glad you found them Hannie.
This eagle eyed bird was fishing this morning. Such concentration and patience.
(https://postimg.cc/image/93ixpc3kn/)
Wow, a night heron, very nice Lyn! We only see those in the zoo.
From time to time there is a great blue heron that sits on my deck trying to ambush a koi in my neighbour's pond...
Thanks Hannie. That Heron captivates me. Bet your neighbor is not as captivated by the Great Blue when it shows up. Knew someone with a koi pond that built a shelf so the fish could hide from the birds. Mother Nature is such a hoot.
Quote from: Shadow on May 14, 2017, 11:09:00 AM
This eagle eyed bird was fishing this morning. Such concentration and patience.
(https://postimg.org/image/93ixpc3kn/)
ooo he's pretty!!
Hi all.. shutting down my computer :'( :-\ :( >:( here at home... have my laptop near hand in our little trailer.. will check in a lot en route.. changed our plans a bit due to tornadoes and storms so who knows where we'll get to.. headed for Seattle eventually we hope.
I've stashed my Wacom Pad and my CS5 so I'm good to go. I'll send some pics of our travels and check in regularly on my friend Shadow to make sure she's being good and not causing too much trouble.
Take care and be well.. I'll be around.
Lynn :hug:
p.s. of course I'll be checking in each day on my phone...
Sounds like a lot of fun Lynn, have a great time and return home safely.
Looking forward to your snapshots, stay clear from tornadoes.
About Shadow, we may have to call in the troops till you come back home.
(just kidding Shadow :))
:loveit:
Hannie
Wishing you a wonderful time Lynn! :hug: Shadow said to tell you ... be sure to hang your head out of the window. It's loads of fun! ::)
(https://postimg.org/image/4zj882x1l/)
And Hannie, you are too funny. ;) Gather all the troops so we can get a group shot.
(https://postimg.org/image/m5a1qkhob/) :funny:
Thanks Hannie and shadow... I'll try the head out the window thing..too hot here in cedar key fl 93 and HUMID!!!!
Hi Gang. Good day for hanging out here. How's it where you are?
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Missed this one somehow, you have a lot of nice critters where you live! Nice shot.
Today is my youngest grandson's birthday, he turned 2. He always had a fascination for vacuum cleaners(!) so my daughter borrowed vacuum cleaners from the neighbours and laid them out for him to see when he woke up this morning.
He totally flipped and couldn't have had a better birthday present!
(https://postimg.cc/image/ub1xxl67j/)
Oh Hannie! Adorable! Your daughter is so cool. What a great way for him to start his special day. Vacuums .... go figure 😁 Is Granny making a special cake?
That pond does have cool critters. Always something to give a grin or two.
You never know Hannie, he might own a cleaning business in years to come. :) Happy Birthday to him.
Our Rosellas are having a great time with the rose hips at the moment. Cleaning one mess and making another.
(https://postimg.cc/image/c2y5ovqyx/)
Vacuums and birds! Can it get any better?
Morning all from a storage and trailer park in New Mexico! Great vacuum story..love it...The sunrise over the storage bins this morning was amazing..off to find a spot to settle for a few days.. hopefully get my computer out.. hopefully Wi-Fi.. Lotta hoping going on. :) Is you puter fixed yet Shadow??
Thanks Tess, what a beautiful bird! Never got see any of these in Melbourne.
Lyn, hope you're computer can be fixed, enjoy the peace and quiet while you can!
My old clivia bloomed again this week, enjoy.
Hannie
(https://postimg.cc/image/la6ef1o0f/)
Hi gang. Tess, that Rosellas is so cool! Lynn, beautiful state NM ... good luck with your computer. Have a blast! And Hannie, love the clivia!!
As for me ... got word late yesterday that they have made progress. Holiday means it will be back home Tues. Wow. Sure getting loads of spring cleaning chores done and am almost through my whole stack of library books. Mighty quiet around here!
Have agood weekend gang.
Love the pictures, keep them coming. Maybe once I get off the work tread mill I can post something. :)
Quote from: Hannie on May 26, 2017, 05:57:46 AM
Thanks Tess, what a beautiful bird! Never got see any of these in Melbourne.
Lyn, hope you're computer can be fixed, enjoy the peace and quiet while you can!
My old clivia bloomed again this week, enjoy.
Hannie
(https://postimg.org/image/la6ef1o0f/)
Gracious!! That is beautiful!!!
Thanks Candy, I've had this clivia for decades. It once belonged to my mother, never once bloomed. Then the first year she was gone, amazingly, it did bloom and has done so ever since.
:loveit:
Hannie
(https://postimg.org/image/vnedrs4fl/)
Oh Hannie.. what a lovely thing to happen... how beautiful.
We are in Cortez Co heading for Utah.. here is our camp on the mighty Mississippi in Natchez.. quite the thrill for a minute or two...
Natchez Mississippi, home to the friendliest folks you'll ever meet!
What a dramatic sky, looks like clouds are going in every direction?
Hannie
Hannie, thank you for sharing your beautiful story. How special your Mom's clivia blooms for you. What a treasure!
How much of America have you seen Hanne?
Lynn, glad that storm was exciting for just a minute or two. How,s Cortez? Continued safe travels to you!
(https://postimg.cc/image/stjbnj20p/)
What I got up to this weekend--flying to Hutchinson airport for breakfast brunch.
Margie
Sounds like fun Margie,airport breakfast!
The photo looks like you are flying away from the airport.
Hannie
It's a tough job Margie,
But someone has to do it.
Mike
Hi Gang... good morning from Montrose Colorado :) nice to be in the Mountains... here is where I was a couple of days ago..
and here is where I am this morning...
and yes Shadow they are dust spots all over the images :D can't clean my sensor til I get to Seattle... :-[
oy vey...
(https://postimg.org/image/ffodj10vx/)
We are back on the 'puter! Glory hallelujah! Couple more things to restore and PS will be back up and running.
Wow Margie! That's how to travel!
Oh Lynn ... beautiful!! Love the pics and Shadow said he can't see no stinkin' spots, er, dust! :funny:
Wishing all of you a glorious day! So happy to be back.
:halo:
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Quote from: Hannie on May 28, 2017, 01:03:35 PM
Thanks Candy, I've had this clivia for decades. It once belonged to my mother, never once bloomed. Then the first year she was gone, amazingly, it did bloom and has done so ever since.
:loveit:
Hannie
It took your momma passing by and saying, "You'd better bloom!!" What a lovely story, Hannie. Thank you so much for sharing it! :hug:
(https://postimg.org/image/vnedrs4fl/)
Thanks Candy, I believe you are right.
:loveit:
Hannie
We are so entertained every morning. Another "fisherman" in the pond ;)
(https://postimg.cc/image/w3lpxwz2x/)
Beautiful, the great white egret. You are very lucky to see these, usually very shy, herons.
Hannie
We are really lucky. Have seen so many more birds around the pond this year.
A big thank you to Tess for starting this. Have paid much more attention when we are out and having loads of fun snapping away with the camera. Enjoy seeing everyone's pics here and am learning lots. Flowers, birds, weather, food ... :up: It's all good. ^-^
Lovely Heron Shadow... hope you didn't chase it...We had a fabulous day today.. saw this baby Elk waiting for mom to return..
And this is the Black Canyon of the Gunnison Colorado..
LOVE the pics Lynn!!! Glad you are having fun. Keep 'em coming!
Thanks Shadow.. I am actually trying to work on my restore as well as post some snaps.. I'm not really slacking off ::)
this was last night..Somewhere.. over the rainbow...
Welcoming committee.. taken through a dirty windshield lol
Best welcoming committee ever! Really enjoying your images Lynn. Beautiful country and love the rainbow.
:) You slacking off - Never!
You soak up all the beautiful surroundings and have fun!
Thanks for taking us all along with you through your photos. :hug:
Beautiful photos Lynn. I'd love to see some photos of your van/5th wheeler?
Here ya go Tassie...
It's a 25 ft lightweight.. we got rid of the fifth wheel.. too much to tow.. we like to roam around a lot :loveit:
I just love this thread!!
Nice Lynn. At 25ft you'd have heaps of space inside.
Beautiful photos and scenery in Colorado, thanks for sharing Lynn.
I agree with Candy and Shadow, this is a great thread and I love to see what everyone is up to. For me today not much, cleared, cleaned and oiled the deck and now it looks like new again.
(http://s210.photobucket.com/user/marijtje2/media/deck.jpg.html)
Oh wow.. nice job Hannie?? did you use photoshop?? :funny:
Saw two more Elk calves yesterday... the moms leave them by the fences (there are lots of fences to keep cattle in) we think the reason is cos the babies can't jump the fence!! so Mom has to leave them there all day coming back for them in the evening to feed and roam about.. they seem to fair well doing this..they look up sometimes but mostly lay low and we are very careful about not getting too close or getting out of the truck..
Aww, so sweet.
We had our second heavy frost this weekend so I started pruning my roses. Only got 9 done and have 25 bushes to do. :(
I always find it interesting that while were having summer you're into to winter. PS.... Keep trimming!!
I too forgot about you guys approaching winter Tess. 34 rose bushes to trim ... :D Hang in there.
That baby is SO sweet Lynn. Great vantage point you have in the truck! :)
Hannie, bet it feels good now that the deck is done. That is a BIG job. Looks like new. Will there be drinks on the deck this evening? :cool:
Pulling out tomorrow for Utah.. this place is magic.. almost overwhelming in it's spiritual beauty.. :halo: ..below is a Whistling Marmot.. he said "what you lookin at"...
and this is the Sneffles Range and valley below.. fantastic when the yellow Aspens are out in Fall...
No drinks on the deck Shadow, it still needs to dry!
34 rose bushes? Where do you keep them all Tess, you have a botanical garden?
Lynn, amazing shot of the whistling marmot, wonder if his name is Otis.
Hannie
Otis is a perfect name for that little cutie. Great shot. Wow Lynn. Must be hard to pull yourself away from all that beautiful landscape. Hope your drive has gone well today.
Hannie, silly me. Always the eager beaver! ;) How long does it take for the deck to dry? Bet Tess is wishing she was sitting out on a dry deck about now ... all the roses! :D
Hey Otis ... looking for a good time! :funny:
(https://postimg.cc/image/djsbgaoh3/)
Cute little critter Shadow.. well worth chasing :cool:
Those mountains look breath taking Lynn.
Shadow, I love squirrels, they are so cute.
Lovely deck Hannie. It came up well, what do you use on it?
No I don't have a botanical garden just 1/2 an acre to look after. I'll get some photos later.
Tess, the pond has squirrels everywhere. Such happy little creatures.
As for your rose trimming .... Mom and I have a giant root beer floats when we get too tired trimming roses, and then it's back at it. Just saying. ;)
Look forward to your pics.
Here you go Hannie. Not good at stitching photos together but the first photo is our side yard. Right down the back behind the fence is the orchard.
(https://postimg.cc/image/l2l8yd2lt/)
Front yard.
(https://postimg.cc/image/6uhyqj4v9/)
(https://postimg.cc/image/suyb75nj9/)
Back patio garden.
(https://postimg.cc/image/glnngam2x/)
Fernery.
(https://postimg.cc/image/z364zs3yx/)
Lilly garden.
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Lol, yes you do have a botanical garden Tess!
What an amazing space and the lilies looks gorgeous. Lots of space for Mollie to roam around too.
I know you make your own tomato sauce, do you use part of as a vegetable garden or is it too dry there?
Your nasturtium is still blooming, did you know that the whole plant is edible and loaded with vitamins and lutein.
Shadow, I was not sure what root beer floats are, something like this?
(http://s210.photobucket.com/user/marijtje2/media/float.jpg.html)
Hannie
Quote from: Hannie on June 07, 2017, 06:04:53 AM
Lol, yes you do have a botanical garden Tess!
What an amazing space and the lilies looks gorgeous. Lots of space for Mollie to roam around too.
I know you make your own tomato sauce, do you use part of as a vegetable garden or is it too dry there?
Your nasturtium is still blooming, did you know that the whole plant is edible and loaded with vitamins and lutein.
Shadow, I was not sure what root beer floats are, something like this?
(http://s210.photobucket.com/user/marijtje2/media/float.jpg.html) :funny: :funny: :funny:
Hannie
Tess, you do have a botanical garden. Wow. Hope you have a riding lawn mower ::)
And Hannie,
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Hannie, our neighbour grows all the tomato varieties so we swap figs for them. We might grow a few this coming summer and see how they go.
Shadow we have a ride-on mower. No way we could mow all this including outside the front fences without it. Our youngest taking it for a test drive. :)
(https://postimg.cc/image/v7bevwsn9/)
Too bad you're so far away Tess. We could swap peppers for figs. Mom's peppers are going "bananas"! ;D
Your youngest makes mowing look fun. Sure beats the ole' push mowers! Love your yard.
A little bird told that Tess's youngest has something much better now to ride in! :)
Hannie
Yea for Tess's youngest!
This goose was sound asleep.
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Isn't it amazing how they can sleep like that! Great photo Shadow.
Yes the youngest bought her first car a couple of weeks ago, a 3 door Toyota Echo. She's currently having driving lessons with an instructor and hubby.
(https://postimg.cc/image/fa4tuaar1/)
(https://postimg.cc/image/sfkc0e4ml/)
The goose really was out!
Thanks Tess. You're right Candy it was out. His partner was standing watch. They have been a fun couple to watch.
Tess, your youngest must be on cloud 9. Such a momentous occasion. Fun little car!
Shadow, what a cute picture of the goose. He was later seen waddling into a chiropractor's office.
Tess, so happy for your daughter! She looks so happy.
Margie
Margie ... right! Made me want to stretch my own neck. ;D
Nice goose shadow :) Congrats on the youngest's first car Tess :D
We are recovering from our first major breakdown on the road... our big Silver Pickup boiled on a 9000 foot pass :'( Our wonderful son in seattle came to our rescue with this amazing gift... we are truly blessed.
So we are now back on the road in style...This is our new rig in Lander Wyoming.. rivers are in historic flood stage so we may have to pull out to avoid another disaster :crazy:
Lynn, sure sorry you had to go through all that. Wonderful your son was able to ride in with Big Blue! Wishing you a relaxing day. :hug:
I used to live in Lander many years ago. The local museum has photos of the flooding that occurred in the early 1900s along the Popo Agie (pronounced Puh po zhuh) River :huh:. I always wondered why they allowed people to build homes in the canyon after that. Hope they're still there!
Hi Tori,
Yes flooding everywhere right now as the heat wave melts the snow pack.. all the creeks and rivers and running high. We hot footed out of Lander this morning before the peak and are now high and dry in Cody Wyoming..
Recognize this?
Lander
High and dry sounds good Lynn. How's Cody?
We took advantage of the sunshine and headed over to the lake to watch a sail boat race. These 3 came right at us.
(https://postimg.cc/image/qsu1jqf0v/)
Nice lake shadow...looks like a good daily spot to visit. Cody is o.k. it's a tourist place really..it's quite pretty and clean ..lots of cowboy stuff and Buffalo Bill Cody things everywhere. We are off to less populated roads today..we're going to go over Beartooth pass but on checking this morning it's closed because of snow and high winds :D
Good job I checked. Hopefully we'll see some Buffalo today.. skirting top end of Yellowstone...away from crowds ... ;D
Have a great day all!
Beautiful pictures Lynn, now all of us are going to want to go on vacation. Question: Your son gave you a new pickup? Wow@
Margie
Lynn, what a fantastic trip, you get to see so much good stuff! The flooding can be quite dramatic and you have to make sure to be out of the way,good that you left! :)
Shadow, do you live near that lake and do people swim there?
Yes Margie...our son gave us a new Chevy Silverado 250.
We were trapped in rock springs Utah... he's been wanting to do it for a while but we wouldn't let him...then suddenly the situation was dire... he's a wonderful son indeed. He said"it's good karma for me to help you both"...we are truly blessed. :loveit:
Hi Hannie. Yes, we are lucky to be close to the lake. They no longer allow swimming. Lots of fishing, sailing, kayaking etc. No power boats makes it nice and quiet. Lovely place to hang out.
Lynn - rain, wind, snow, flooding ... your trip has not been boring! Look forward to your Yellowstone pics.
Lynn, would your son considering adopting a senior citizen? :halo:
Margie
Margie I think he feels he has his hands full with the two that he'sgot :D
Here's where we went day before yesterday.. Beartooth Pass Wyoming :cool:
The view at 10,000 feet
Shadow we skipped Yellowstone (been before) and too many people.. went for Beartooth instead which was quite exciting to say the least..
Look at all those spots on my sensor!!
Wow Lynn. Beautiful country! All that snow. Did you and hubby get out and make some snow angels? ;)
I have a friend that lives close to Bridger Bowl. Here's what she said this morning, " Meanwhile, at Bridger Bowl this morning! Pouring down rain and 38 degrees at our house this morning. Brrr" LOL
Gotta love that higher elevation!
How are those roses coming along Tess?
This is what we did today :)
(https://postimg.cc/image/nidfe6l4r/)
Too funny my.. hope he enjoyed it 😁
How beautiful Lynn, making me antsy for my vacation that is coming up soon.
Shadow, do he enjoy it or not? :)
Margie
So, Lynn and Margie ... Shadow said to tell you, "enjoy" might not be the right word. Worth it - absolutely!
Vet said he could have a small meatball with his medicine. He hates the medicine but loves the reward! Today's meatball included some sauce. :halo:
Prebath ...
(https://postimg.cc/image/zd0yw2qxl/)
Good thing the little guy has some blond fur. After all the sauce is licked off, it will blend pretty well! lol
Lol, Shadow looks smart with his new hair cut!
It has been quite warm here these last few days, wouldn't mind higher elevation for a while. (5 meter below sea level in my part of Amsterdam :))
Hannie
Reaching the 90s here, Hannie. I water in the morning to keep things happy.
Shadow, I'm waiting on the ones along the front of the house to finish blooming then I'll be done.
My red velvet rose sits right outside the open window and sends the most wonderful scent inside. It has 10 ft tall stems but is not a climber! I had to cut it back to 3ft just before summer so the new awning could be installed.
Good morning to all from Glacier National Park Montana.. This was the road towards the park and then we saw hundreds of Buffalo in the Blackfeet Nation Reservation.. not very good pictures but good memories.. hopefully will get to work on my restore as well in the next few days of camp rest. ^-^
Candy, he does do an excellent job of licking every last bit of sauce off. Still, he has yet to be spared a bath after one of those "special treats". And Hannie, glad you like his new do ... wish I could say it was all on purpose. Was trying to get the sides even and he kept wiggling ::)
Amsterdam, OK, TX ... I think the heat of summer is here!
(https://postimg.org/image/uqqj0nu1v/) Maybe we all need to visit Tess. We could help get the roses cut back when they stop blooming. I for one would love to see and smell that red velvet rose!
Of course, we could also ask Lynn to book a spot next to where she is now. Beautiful Lynn!!
I just love going on vacation in the comfort of my desk chair. Wonderful pictures! Visiting Tess is a lovely idea. :)
She's making all of us jealous. I'm going on a week vacation soon, but it won't be cooler--New Mexico.
Margie
My red velvet is top centre in this photo.
(https://postimg.cc/image/yjt739mfx/)
Gorgeous roses, the different shades look so good together.
The buffalo with the mountains in the background look great, just imagine how many used to roam the plains once upon a time...
I will leave the travelling to others and enjoy very much their photos from my desk chair, just like Candy. :)
Hannie
Tess I can smell those roses.. made me smile.
Tess, love the smell of fresh cut roses. Yours are beautiful. Thanks for sharing!
And girls, were these the "chairs" you were talking about ........ :funny:
(https://postimg.cc/image/ichzj0teh/)
Tess, your roses are beautiful, is your red velvet as large as it looks? Way to go Shadow, I'm sure that's what they meant. ;)
Yes Margie, almost covers a breakfast plate, 7 inches across.
We are watching the weather forecasts and awaiting Cindy's arrival on the coast. Hope she is gentle and out of here.
(https://postimg.cc/image/exb3blvfr/)
We had a new furnace installed today. After all the banging and sawing and drilling they had to test it by turning it up to 84(F). It worked fine but the first few minutes were very stinky and all the smoke alarms went off! So much fun. At least we won't have to worry about it failing in the middle of winter!
Tori, sorry it was a noisy, smelly day. Glad you won't be without heat in the winter. Does it mean you also have AC for the summer?
Shadow are you in Cind'ys path? :-\no no by
Shadow we have a window air conditioner which is sufficient for our little house in Minnesota since it cools down at night. They did include a nifty programmable thermostat!
Wow Tess, that is impressive. Tori, glad you got a new furnace, but if you were here it would be miserable having it put in with the high temps. Shadow, I too am watching and hoping Cindy doesn't do a lot of damage. Right now a lot of flooding.
I am going to be off the grid for a week. I just couldn't take anymore of Lynn's vacation pictures. Jealousy was eating away at me and I had to remove myself from viewing. Okay, just kidding. I'm going on vacation starting Friday in Albuquerque and Santa Fe, New Mexico. Really nice to have a break between jobs.
Margie
Have a good trip Margie!
Hannie
Tori, Minnesota sounds like the place to be right now! I remember when a loved one got their programmable thermostat. It was like that commercial where each spouse would sneak to reset it when the other one wasn't looking. Funny when one is hot natured and one is cold natured. ::)
Lynn, our loved ones are in the path from the along the coast to the Carolinas. It looks like the storm has lost steam and the flooding and tornado threat has diminished.
Margie, have a great time! Pics from your phone will be perfect ;)
Glad to hear your loved ones are out of danger Lyn.. Storms are always a worry.
Have a great trip Margie and a good rest.. you so deserve it :hug:
We are resting up in Grangeville Idaho.. lovely quiet rural area.. very soft and beautiful...
Not a very good picture of mom and baby but lovely memories...
Absolutely beautiful Lynn! Bet it's nice and cool too, huh? I like the Mom and her her baby. So sweet.
And thanks. They all really dodged one. Think 6" of rain was the most any of them had and no severe weather. We are all very grateful.
We've been dealing with opossums trying to get under the house... well last night I heard thumping and bumping, so I got up with my handy dandy flashlight and looked out the back. What to my wandering eyes did I see than 2 does laying under our Silver Maple tree. Made my heart smile.
Great story Candy but next time we want see the evidence! ;)
Tori, I wish we had your air conditioner...
Hannie
Candy, what a wonderful sight!! I'm with Hannie ... next time, it's flashlight and camera!
And Hannie, wish you had an ac too. We are sending you cool thoughts
(https://postimg.org/image/m0khtkhal/)
Good morning. These ducks were having the best time.
BOTTOMS UP!! (https://postimg.cc/image/weh9lkxw3/)
That looks so funny Lyn!
Swan family, then and now:
(https://postimg.cc/image/untge1iwd/)
Bottoms Up and Swans.... Gotta luv 'em.
Cute bums Lyn :) we've left here but this sign in this area made me smile.Salmon River, Idaho...
Hannie, you would have been laughing along with us. It was like they were practicing some synchronized swimming move. Too funny. Love the swan pics!
Candy, like your new avatar.
Lynn, the scenery is beautiful. The sign is a hoot! Thanks for sharing the laugh.
lol, love the sign. :D The ducks and swans are lovely.
Great sign!
Hannie
We spotted a newbie at the pond. This little guy is funny to watch. Made our morning watching him walking along the stone wall "fishing."
(https://postimg.cc/image/gwo2frsvb/)
Nice catch Lyn... Little Green Heron?? we think?? Cute guy..
He's awesome, Shadow!
Beautiful Shadow! We don't have these here. I did see one in South Africa, kind of a brownish red color with green wings.
Hannie
Finally my Lil Red Wagon daylilies have bloomed. Along with my Stella daylilies.
(https://postimg.cc/image/w0exei861/)
(https://postimg.cc/image/fjio5yjx9/)
And a couple friends dropped by.
(https://postimg.cc/image/qrpvsa7n9/)
(https://postimg.cc/image/v3ehhaek5/)
(https://postimg.cc/image/ahzppdwz9/)
Candy, your lilies are beautiful and we love your "friends"!!
Doves made me smile Candy... and your lillies are lovely..
We are trying to find a cool place for lunch today.. s'gonna be 100 degrees.. Desert heat tho so not like Florida..
Dry heat is better than humid Lynn but geez ... 100!
These birds made our day. We saw them strolling down the path like they were headed somewhere important. They marched in front of the cars to get to the other side of the street. Then they crossed there and then reversed course back to the side where they began. Everyone seemed to be as pleased as us to stop and watch thier march.
(https://postimg.cc/image/6ip88dfnf/)
Oh that's funny Lyn...we have loads of Quail here at the RV park.. they are so lovely.. mom and dad run around with dozens and I mean dozens of little baby quail running after them.. also lots of bunnies here too and they don't even move when you walk by..I'll have to get a picture if I can..
Honk!! Honk!! Geese go where they want. It's not unusual to see them making a nest in the oddest places.
The lilies are gorgeous Candy. Is a daylily like morning glory, only blooms 1 day? (here we call morning glory "dayflower")
I remember the first time I landed in Phoenix, it was (then) a record 122 degrees. It was quite a surprise leaving the ac airport hall... I agree that dessert heat is so much easier to take, I actually kind of like it.
The geese are hilarious! Reminds me of a swan family in Amersfoort, police has to help them cross a busy traffic crossing from time to time.
https://youtu.be/FvpCV284s-Y
Hannie
Hannie thank you for the video link. Too sweet!!!
Oh Hannie I just saw the swan video.. how lovely and how dignified they were..thanks for posting :hug:
The waterfall reflects how much rain the recent storms dumped on the area. The sound was great!
(https://postimg.cc/image/wbgt46w3x/)
Quote from: Hannie on July 07, 2017, 07:21:00 AM
The lilies are gorgeous Candy. Is a daylily like morning glory, only blooms 1 day? (here we call morning glory "dayflower")
I remember the first time I landed in Phoenix, it was (then) a record 122 degrees. It was quite a surprise leaving the ac airport hall... I agree that dessert heat is so much easier to take, I actually kind of like it.
The geese are hilarious! Reminds me of a swan family in Amersfoort, police has to help them cross a busy traffic crossing from time to time.
https://youtu.be/FvpCV284s-Y
Hannie
It depends on the variety of daylily, Hannie. The Stella's flower (yellow ones) bloom and then stay for almost a week. In spring the entire plant is covered with beautiful blossoms. The Lil Red wagon will bloom and stay two days at most. I try to get my pictures before it leaves. Where the Stella is more prolific in spring, the Lil Red Wagon comes on stronger in the heat of summer. We're around 97 - 100 degrees right now, on some days. :loveit:
For those with gardens who love birds ... ;D
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OWJSOQV_azU
:up: Where is she when I need her!?
Ain't it the truth Candy. We could use 2 of her for Mom's rose beds!
Thanks for the info on the lilies Candy. You have a very cool place! Pretty flowers and neat friends.
Happy Monday (and Tuesday to Tess). We are back home. Welcomed a new "great" to the family. She has been in the NICU for the last week so they are eager to get her home. A bit of rest and we will be back at it. ;)
Hey shadow welcome home girl ..you were missed...good morning from kanab Utah..on the road heading for Colorado..have a lovely day everyone
Huge congrats on the new baby Lyn xxx
Welcome back Shadow and congratulations on your new granddaughter, glad to hear she is out of NICU and going home to her parents!
:)
Thanks Lynn. Look forward to your next pic so we can travel along with you!
Tthanks Hannie. This newest one is my great niece. Our family is up to 15 "greats" and 10 "grands". Family gatherings are a hoot.
After a recent thunderstorm, this guy found a log out in the lake to rest on.
(https://postimg.cc/image/g9uj7tk7j/)
Oh Hannie ... you made my day!
And to Hannie, Tess, whoever removed my "oops" ... :wnw:
Nice Heron Lyn :up: We are looking forward to being back in amongst our "birds" in Florida.. this was our view from the stern of our son's boat :P... I know I know... someone has to do it.. now back to reality :(
Thanks. Wow Lynn!!! Reality will be harsh after that. Wonderful.
Well ya know Shadow? Living in Florida with Herons and Pelicans and lots of wildlife and nature ain't half bad.. the city is very exciting and very challenging to us oldies.. I'll leave it to the young'uns methinks.. :crazy:
Still on the road.. back in Mississippi on the great river.. it's hot hot.. Looking forward to being off the road and back in our house and BED... but what a wonderful adventure..
This is Mary and Big Blue resting in The Great Basin Desert in Nevada..amazing place.. silent and empty..
What a beautiful view Lynn! I can understand that after being on the road this long that your own nice bed is calling out for you to sleep in. :)
Hannie
Beautiful Lynn. You and hubby sure found some wonderful places to visit along your journey! Thanks for sharing.
Beautiful Place Lynn. I can imagine how quiet it is there.
Beautiful Lynn!
Margie
I've been out edging and mowing... while it is beautiful, I feel the heat!! WHEW!
So Candy, This
(https://postimg.cc/image/k7dgh4pfj/) followed by
(https://postimg.cc/image/bxcwz3vcr/) :funny:
No beach play. I'd have to go to the gulf for that. I love the idea of turning on the sprinklers though. Does that count? P.S. Normally I split up the yard work (3.2 acres) but silly me :D wanted to get it all done. Good thing, too. It rained lightly last night!
So now I'm thinking about cool weather and Halloween.... :)
This fine lady was making her nightly web two steps out my backdoor. How'd you like to step out onto the decking and meet her? :wow:
By morning however, the web is gone and I suspect she's sleeping sweetly under the eaves.
(https://postimg.cc/image/dkz9ya7zx/)
(https://postimg.cc/image/6789xbgt7/)
Shadow, you're a kick! lol
Nice shot of the beautiful barn spider Candy, reminds of the fall time here. Sometimes when I open the door to leave the house in the morning, a spiderweb will have blocked the whole entrance.
When I forget to check before I walk out it can be quite unpleasant, no matter how much I admire the critters.
(https://postimg.org/image/50roy8o3v/)
I fully understand. It happened to be a moonless night and my hubby was shining the flashlight out the door so I could take the trash down when he noticed this gal. Close to the A/C there was another. Must have been the night for having a dueling web contest. Looked her up, too. She's called a garden orb-weaver. Makes sense to me.
No way, outside spiders get relocated far way from the house. Our dog loves to eat them as well as moths.
Deadly ones get dead.
"Deadly ones get dead" :funny:
If they are doing no harm to me, I let them be. This gal is awake when I'm not and asleep when I'm awake. We are copasetic. :)
When I lived in Australia for a few years I was driving my car and put the sun visor down and a huge spider fell into my lap... :wow: then another time I was canoeing with my women friends and a HUGE wolf spider crawled over the edge of my cap in front of my eyes..
:cool: I am terrified of spiders.. don't like em.. don't kill em unless they attack me but do not like em one bit...I nearly vacated that canoe with much screaming...
LOL Great story, Lynn.
Oh Lynn! That spider on the cap thing ... they could use that to test for bladder control!! :funny:
Quote from: Shadow on August 08, 2017, 04:54:58 PM
Oh Lynn! That spider on the cap thing ... they could use that to test for bladder control!! :funny:
:wow: :funny:
Almost all grown up.
(https://postimg.cc/image/mdy5lrnyr/)
Eclipse NE Ala.
(https://postimg.cc/image/jizl6v79f/)
(https://postimg.cc/image/hfp5z77gj/)
Wow! I love those crescents!
Oh Hannie! Thanks for sharing the swan update. Where does the time go?!
Kiska, love the crescents. We watched the eclipse at the park and marveled at all the different size crescents on the sidewalk depending on which trees we were under. Very cool.
Was anyone in the total eclipse path?
My son and family were in Oregon specially for it.. they were all blown away by the awesomeness of it all... my grandson is ten and absolutely loved it. I tried watching it from Florida with four pairs of sunglasses on at the same time.. (I looked very silly) was pretty amazing but only partial. 8)
Beautiful day out so we headed to the pond. This little one was on the bridge. Anyone getting fall colors yet?
(https://postimg.org/image/srfe06mq3/)
My sister called and said she sent me some smiles. Thought I'd share them. She took these from her veranda and boat house. Needless to say ... sister lives in paradise! Yes, you can color us "envious!" :funny:
(https://postimg.cc/image/2tkl3ey517/)
(https://postimg.cc/image/7xw9soypez/)
(https://postimg.cc/image/11rm8ifn0b/)
Wow, what a beautiful sight Shadow, color me envious too!
This morning the whole swan family was present. All 7 cygnets made it to adulthood. They still have the brown feathers but soon they will be sparkling white like their parents.
(https://postimg.cc/image/9pw4q7gx8b/)
Been working hard around the yard attacking the weeds and watching all the roses bloom. Hubby and daughter went woodcutting last weekend and she found a frog. It happily posed for a photo on her glove.
(https://postimg.cc/image/4hab0cc5x7/)
Love the swans Hannie. And what a great place for a stroll. Are those Weeping Willows?
Adorable frog Tess. We were out among the trees and colorful leaves and I wondered how your roses were doing. We are eager for falling temps and you are in to spring. Amazing.
What a sweet little frog, nice shot!
Yes Lyn, those are weeping willows. I always wonder how come their haircut is so neatly just above the water. Do the branches just stop growing or is it the critters eating what they can reach from the water? ;D
My roses are going mad already. My red velvet is huge this year. You can see the tip of one finger and my wrist for size comparison.
(https://postimg.cc/image/292kkfu2vf/)
Tess, never seen a rose this size, what a beauty!
Funny Hannie, never thought about it like that. We had a beautiful weeping willow on the edge of the pond and it never looked like the leaves were in the water either. Love those trees.
Tess, OMG! Beautiful rose. Too bad we can't smell it ;)
We had a big male Koala decide our gum tree looked good. Our dog went mad, barking at him until we shut the patio gate so she couldn't get to him.
(https://postimg.cc/image/92remkyocr/)
Wow Tess!
Tess did your koala stick around or are they wanderers?
Definitely wanderers Tori. After a fight between him and another koala that kept us awake half the night, they moved on.
Tess, I am so envious until I got to the part about them fighting and keeping you awake half the night. Still, pretty neat!
Margie
Gotta luv our critters.... sometimes! lol
Walking to my desk with a cup of tea when a koala strolled across the patio and up the tea tree. He's now asleep after growling at us for taking photos.
How cute Tess, great pic! You are so lucky to have these beautiful critters come to your yard.
All I saw today was snow... pretty but I would rather be in Victoria right now. :)
(https://postimg.org/image/vg95wasq9/)
Hannie, I think I'd prefer the snow. Supposed to get to 37C/98F for the next couple of days.
Tess, thanks for sharing ... absolutely too cute! And Hannie, oh my! So much snow. Beautiful. We had a cool snap and are already warming back up. Here's a sunset shot from Thanksgiving. Mother Nature does like putting on a show.
(https://postimg.cc/image/8p98dohph/)
Beautiful Lyn :hug:
Great shot Lyn! I like how the lines are coming together near the sun, beautiful sky.
Thanks Lynn and Hannie. Wish I could have captured the pelicans. What a display they put on!
Merry Christmas all.. this was my morning walk this morning.. snapped with my phone...
Wow! That is a stunning picture!
Margie
We want to walk with you!! Awesome photo Lynn.
Wow Lynn, how beautiful!
Thanks gang..snapped it with my new phone which I com normally do..these new phones are amazing!
Lynna, what a beautiful memory on film!
Beautiful!
Merry Christmas to everyone. Its 10 degrees here but the geese don't seem to mind the cold
(https://postimg.cc/image/haakgcoit/)
It's beautiful tho Phil Merry Christmas :)
Burrrrr, but pretty Phil.
Margie
-12 Celsius! No wonder the geese stay in the water, seems warm enough not to freeze or is it sea water?
Beautiful shot Phil.
Hi Hannie. The water is lake Michigan. I live in Wisconsin. Right now the temp is -5 degrees F. Shortly ice burgs will form on the shore.
Quack!! It's pretty though!! Quack!!
Hi Phil, I guess with a huge lake like that the current will prevent or at least slow down the freezing process. Stay warm!
Lovely Phil. Way too cold for us. Brrr!
Well after a week of below zero f temps Lake Michigan is starting to freeze some. This photo was taken this morning from just about the same angle as the previous one.
(https://postimg.cc/image/hetmsds9v/)
It is beautiful Phil. Do you get the lake effect there?
Beautiful Phil.
Hi Tess. At times we get the lake effect but we are on the west side of the lake so when a strong, cold NW blows it picks up moisture from the warm lake and then when it hits land it forms snow for the folks over on the other side, Michigan. With an east wind we would get the lake effect as well, but its not as common.
Phil I'm glad to see you have recovered from your carpal tunnel complaints. ;)
Sounds like everyone is freezing over there, in Canada too, worst winter since long time.
I even saw snow fall in Florida.... (Glenna?)
Temps are not bad here but we've had some fierce storms and for the first time all of the storm surge barriers are closed now.
Will we stay dry... :-\
http://www.amusingplanet.com/2014/04/the-netherlands-impressive-storm-surge.html (http://www.amusingplanet.com/2014/04/the-netherlands-impressive-storm-surge.html)
Fascinating article Hannie. Fingers crossed they keep doing their job. ;)
Hey guys... been playing with my new camera.. still need to learn a lot but a couple of my local inhabitants... :)
Love them Lynn! :)
Cold and gray in OK :)
Great photos Lynn!
3 different herons, all look different from the herons over here.
The bottom photo is beautiful with the reflections and shape of the clouds. What is your new camera?
thanks guys.. Hannie the first bird is a Sandhill Crane.. they stand about 4ft high and are so beautiful.. much loved in the area.. the second one is a great white egret and the last are Rare Florida Wood Storks.. they stand about 2.5 feet tall..
My new camera is an early birthday gift from dear son.. something I would never have thought I would have.. a Canon 5D sr with an L 24-105 lens :hug: (50.6 mp!!!!!) Now I have to learn how to drive it...and how to download images without blowing up my puter..... :-\
Now I understand why they look different, not herons after all... 8)
51 million pixels, wow! Your son bought you a very fancy camera.
Should be so much fun to work with it, enjoy yourself!
Beautiful pictures. An immature whooping crane also looks like a Sandhill crane and during the hunting season that's not a good thing. During migration through Kansas, they try to keep a watchful eye. Why anyone would want to kill or eat a Sandhill crane is beyond me. Lynn I am so envious of your gift, no, happy for you.
Sorry to be absent from the forum lately, but I get home late and then leave early for work in the morning. In between, I just crash.
Margie
Went down to "The Shed" for a beer last evening and took my camera with me... couple from the waterfront...don't ya just love pelicans...
Pros got absolutely nothing on you girl! Wonderful pics!!!
Very beautiful Lynn!
Lynn, love the first picture with the pelicans. Are they throwing fish for them? Really unique picture.
Margie
Thanks Margie and all... The fishermen come in with their boats and clean and cut up the fish at dock side... as soon as a boat starts coming in the pelicans all rush in for fish parts that aren't used .. Great white Egret and Great Blue Heron as well... local inhabitants :)
I know I just posted but just had to share this.. we meet this dog every day on our walks.. I was a bit anxious around him at first but he's turned out to be such a beautiful spirit.. his name is Bastion..
Love the eyes Lynn! Thanks for sharing.
Beautifulk dog, looks friendly.
Beautiful dog.
Our Molly got a grass seed stuck to her eardrum so a trip to the vet for a snooze while they extracted it. She's finally not shaking her head until she's dizzy now.
Yesterday we discovered wild bees had managed to get in through small vent holes and set up shop in our wall! Trouble is you can no longer buy the cladding on the outside of the house, or get it off in one piece and there are too many bees to remove from inside.
So the pest controller is coming on Monday. :(
Glad Miss Molly is free of that irritation now Tess. Sorry to hear about the bees.
OOOO don't ya hate when you get a grass seed in ya ear... :mad: Poor Molly.. glad she's free of it... :)
Remember that every condition you see in a dog must be assumed to be caused by a grass seed until proven otherwise! ;D
Family have flown away back to Seattle but we all went to the wildlife park here in Homosassa.. this sweet scene almost made me cry... the night Heron was sitting on her nest and the male was a fair distance away from her... suddenly he carefully started to inch towards her and seemed to say "it's time babe to turn the eggs"... he moved carefully away and she proceeded to stand and move her eggs.. I was so privileged to see that.. :'(
That is a great picture Lynn and story Lynn. I only get to see these at our zoo. Night heron here is "kwak"... such a funny name, even in Dutch. :)
Wonderful Lynn!! What a nice way to start a day. Thanks for sharing. :)
our area is in a state of emergency, not wise to travel due to flooding.
Stay safe and dry!
Love the pictures and the stories behind them. Just don't decide to be a nature photographer instead of photo restorer. ::)
Margie
No fear of that Margie... :loveit:
So, we slipped away to a pond nearby and managed to spy this little guy. No idea what this little one is but sure is cute.
(https://postimages.org/)
Stunning photo Lyn!
It is a northern shoveler.
Beautiful Photo! At first I thought a Mallard duck, but think Hannie is right, especially after looking at his beak.
Margie
Thanks Margie and Hannie. I just knew one of you would know what it was! Thanks for sharing.
Beautiful image lyn...you got ya pond back??
Our pond is accessible but huge construction cranes are within feet of it. In need of a Mother Nature fix we found this pond through some woods nearby. Glad we did. Cool birds!
We spent a couple of nights at Cedar Key Fl... saw some lovely bird life.. these two Ospreys were returning to the nest..
Love the pic Lynn!
:up: Marvelous shot!
https://www.nasa.gov/image-feature/technology-then-and-now
Great article, kinda like this:
(https://imgur.com/J7N3Kgs)
Cool articles.
I'm still doing all that ..
Can you imagine someone turning on a fan and blowing those photos everywhere when she just finished!
That is evil Tess! >:D
They don't call me Tassie Devil for nothing Hannie. >:D
We need you on that wall Tess ...keep the muckeruppers out.
So,
Tassie Devil not to be confused with Tazmanian Devil! >:D
(https://postimages.org/)
Quote from: Shadow on April 23, 2018, 11:44:54 AM
So, Tassie Devil not to be confused with Tazmanian Devil! >:D
(https://postimages.org/)
Yep, thats me Shadow. ;D :halo: Used to live in Tasmania.
:funny:
(https://postimages.org/)
We helped family members introduce their new puppy to "polite behavior". The scorecard is Puppy 1 - Humans 0. :funny:
Could take a while :funny:
(https://postimg.cc/image/jx8jdjzel/)
:funny:
Hello from Seattle.. this is Gibson Samoa Gold Toe (named by my 11 year old grandson) ::)... practicing with my new 50mm 1.2 which I'm not worthy of..
Love the eyes! Beautiful Lynn.
Worthy or not... gotta love the great cameras! What a lovely cat!
A beautiful cat, Lyn. Love the puppy Shadow.
Our Molly is as smart as but still gets all the treats with her sad eye look. This is her on the daughter's bed watching dessert get eaten and waiting for a few bits of strawberries and cream.
I would sure give her some of my strawberries!
Love the photos!
Gibson is a magnificent cat!
Shadow, it comes as no surprise that the puppies beat the humans in the politeness department.
The way that Molly looks at you, I wouldn't be able to take another bite of my dessert... ;D
Shssss... let me whisper in your ear.... (dog park today in Seattle... dogs rule)
;D
We stepped out of the door and there was this wee little bird on the steps. Poor little thing. It finally made it over to where a car was parked in the shade. Mama bird has been checking in on it. Hope it makes it back up in the tree soon. It is so hot out!
(https://postimg.cc/image/c9y9huc2v/)
(https://postimg.cc/image/qt5ej9cxj/)
Oh lyn how sweet he is... looks like he's just fledged.. I'm sure mom will take good care of him and lead him away.
Shadow, what kind of bird is it?
Hannie, think it is a Robin. The Mama was too fast for my little point and shoot. They were gone by dark last night. Sure hope that means the wee one managed to fly.
Definitely a young Robin wishing Mom would hurry up with lunch :up2:
How cute! I love robins and many years ago I named my nature store The Fat Robin--my husband's idea.
In need of a breeze yesterday, the boy wonder took me over to the lake to watch the sailing class. (Yep, he drives ;) ) They sure looked like they were having fun. Is it hot where you are?
(https://postimg.cc/image/ylj8wfevr/)
(https://postimg.cc/image/80gq0v4sn/)
Glad the boy knows how to keep cool! I have a nice cool breeze on my belly... that's good... no A/C here...love those sunglasses
Shadow doesn't mind wearing sunglasses? Love the photos and wish I was still sailing.
Lynn, what a ham, love the expression on his face (her).
LOL Woof!!
Adorable dogs. Is that an Aussie, Lynn? Shadow is too cool.
Lynn, precious pic! Adore the expression. Margie said it ... "what a ham"! ;D
Margie, Shadow knows sunglasses
= head-out-car window for a drive around the lake so he endures them. (Vet recommended them to protect his big brown eyes.) ;)
There were 5 boats in the class. The biggest one was always just out of frame. The boy in the itty bitty boat was having a blast. Pics aren't great but you get the idea. There was plenty of hollering and a horn blowing for the second one. ;D
(https://postimg.cc/image/r6pbqmoaf/)
(https://postimg.cc/image/4ja2kat93/)
Shadow, the pictures are great and when you click on them, they are larger. The bottom photo shows the guy tacking (flip your sail with boom to change direction) almost being ran over but that might not be as close as it looks. :up:
Is it hot where you are? (https://postimg.cc/image/wehj712gn/)
Rough weather here so the whales are swimming 50ft from the breakwall in the town just down the road.
Not my photo.
Thanks Shadow, now I'm hungry. Wow Tess, that is so neat to be able to see them.
I'm with Margie ... Wow Tess!
Great Photo Tess. This morning I was flying my drone down main street in Belgium Wisconsin. Yep lots of work going on there. :-\
(https://postimg.cc/image/5dctjln3l/)
Cool pic Phil!
Shadow, is it hot here? After winter there was no spring but full blown summer with temps close to 30 degrees Celsius. It is going to get even hotter in the next few weeks, no rain, farmers are suffering and so is the country side. I sure hope this is not going to be a recurring thing in the future!
Tess, it must be a great sight to see the whales come in so close, beautiful.
Phil, great shot, must be fun to have drone like that.
Great photo Phil. A drone would be very handy at times.
Neat picture Phil. A drone in my hands would be a dangerous weapon.
Hannie, I believe in climate change and things are going to get worse. Very hot and humid here.
:-\ 109....
Sorry to hear you are also having a heat wave Hannie, and Candy, hang in there. You gals stay cool!
It is 110 in the shade right now.
(https://postimages.org/) Must admit, this heat is beginning to get to us. :-[
Climate is always changing. This was posted by KFOR weather. History of our weather.
(https://postimg.cc/image/gmo9qy9wt/)
Last weekend we had strong winds so the sail boat races were really fun.
(https://postimg.cc/image/cp5gaetnr/)
(https://postimg.cc/image/8u227kuzr/)
(https://postimg.cc/image/dspkm5oiv/)
Well yesterday I took my drone out in the flight up the beach some. I made a video of the flight. Its on the Wisconsin side of Lake Michigan.
https://vimeo.com/284195235
What a nice spot where you live Phil and great to finally see you! We all should use a drone and do the same thing.
Great video.
Thank you Hannie
Great video Phil! Enjoyed the one with you trikking as well. Thanks for sharing. :)
Yes thanks for sharing Phil.. great vid. I can AT LAST VIEW IT... I fixed my puter!!! I've been almost unplugged for 2 months. We are on the road in a 25 ft travel trailer (tin can) in the rain in Massachusetts now. And it's COOL.. we left the Florida heat behind. Missed you all sooooo much I'm so glad to be back in the forum. I've requested a real easy one cos I've forgotton how to restore :( Hopefully it'll come back to me??
Hey Lynn. Good to see you. Look forward to your "easy" one!
Lovely video Phil. Such a pretty spot.
Really nice Phil. Glad it's in your hands and not mine or someone would get hurt. ;)
We watched an air show practice recently. These guys flew right over us. Plenty of cool old planes.
(https://postimg.cc/image/3r5r7sr2f/)
(https://postimg.cc/image/nlrstxdzr/)
They look great Shadow.
Beautiful shots Shadow! Must have been fun to see those.
Great shots Shadow!
Thanks girls. There was this plane at the end of the runway (loooong way from where we were) that was doing that thing where they are really high and then look like they are about to plummet into the ground and pull up at the last second. Wow!
Now then, what have all of you been up to?! :)
Cleaning green beans.
Brings back memories. Did you grow them Hannie?
I wish Shadow, they would taste so much better!
You are so right Hannie!
This morning there was a stiff breeze on Lake Michigan
(https://postimg.cc/image/jvypa4qyn/)
Beautiful Phil!
Michigan, my birth state! We moved when I was 6 but I remember the lakes and the colors of fall!!
Well I live in Wisconsin, Candice but very similar to Michigan except this year our football team may be better. My area has been having east winds for several days. Thanks, Shadow.
I have family in Racine. My Aunt keeps me up on the changes. :up2:
Beautiful shot Phil, it looks great in black and white.
The lake looks like a sea now.
Phil, I agree with Hannie about liking it in B/W. It seems more dramatic. Beautiful!
So, was looking for a cute something and stumbled across this. Anyone know what it is?
(https://postimg.cc/5Q1btWM9)
It is a cute baby sloth. :)
Thanks Hannie. It sure is a cutie.
Fall is here. Inspired by my sister's snapshot from a train ride in MI, we went on a stroll in search of autumn colors here in the city. Recent storms didn't leave much. How about you guys? Anyone have any gorgeous colors to share?
Upper Penninsula MI (compliments of sister)
(https://postimg.cc/dhWvc8B9)
(https://postimg.cc/PLPHXPVn)
Texas
(https://postimg.cc/bs9p3XSW)
(https://postimg.cc/3kr7qLgR)
I love Michigan!
How pretty. Shadow!
Beautiful photos Shadow.
I woke up to a full blown nasty cold, so will be laying low for awhile. Will be back as soon as I can ditch the Kleenex box.
Margie
Beautiful colors Shadow!
In Amsterdam everything still looks green, it seems like there are just 2 seasons left here: summer & winter!
Well darn, Shadow, I was in the upper P as well and went over to Mackinac Island. This photo was taken out the window of the Grand Hotel.
(https://postimg.cc/n9MxDzNB)
Thanks Gang and hope you feel better soon Margie. Darn indeed Phil. Love your shot. Told my sister all about you and sent her the link to that video you did. They were there at the hotel for a few days and are already making plans to head back up to the UP next year to camp. What a gorgeous area.
And Hannie, that is so sad you are down to two seasons. The weather has been so weird. Do you still see the swan family?
Oh Margie sorry about the sneezies and blowies.. put chapstick on your nose and drink lots of hot lemon water or tea..Lots of rest and a good book...
signed
Nurse Rachett... :knuppel:
Uh oh Margie ... better get well fast! :funny:
(https://postimg.cc/217ggY8p)
Well goodness and gracious. I woke up this morning and I saw three freezing geese cruising by. Snow too. So Soon!!
(https://postimg.cc/YvT2zvfM)
(https://postimg.cc/cvv43R3F)
OOOO way too cold for me.. this was my day Wednesday at Cedar Key Fl.. saw this cute little critter sunning on a log..
this may have been mom..
a beautiful end to a spectacular day...
:up: Awesome pictures!!
Very Nice pictures, Lynnya. Thanks for posting them.
Very beautiful shots, I envy you all for being close to so much beauty.
Margie, I hope you got rid of your cold, I had the start of one but luckily it went away!
Shadow, the swan family is still there: the kids all left home but decided to share an apartment together. Mom and dad are are taking a well deserved break. :)
Thanks guys.. yes Hannie I'm very fortunate to live here and never take it for granted...
So beautiful Love the reflection of the little guy in the water.
Beautiful photos everyone. We are having all 4 seasons every week here. One day aircon, the next we are lighting the fire.
What great pictures everyone! Tess, I'm almost the same but 2 seasons: fall and winter. Went from not needing a coat to down to 17 deg F.
LOVE all the pics gang! I guess winter is here for many of us and Tess, Mother Nature sounds like she's on a merry go round where you are. :crazy:
We are dealing with a misbehaving computer. :knuppel: Back soon. (We hope!)
(https://postimg.cc/Mn2FNFKg)
Shadow, you're a kick!! Get well!! LOL
This little guy was soaking up the sun before the rain and cold hit.
(https://postimg.cc/hh69bMtC)
While he got the sun, we got the snow.
It's still cold out but the sun is out today!
(https://postimg.cc/wRRf5Rbf)
Gorgeous. We are so grateful the snow stayed in the panhandle. Stay safe and warm Candy. :)
It was beautiful, Shadow. Even more so when the sun hit it this morning. The glistening light always warms my heart.
Happy Thanksgiving!! (https://postimg.cc/t7w3vX5v)
Happy Thanksgiving to All of You!
HAPPY THANKSGIVING GANG!
Well this is sort of a Christmas Story. Its sort of long, but since OPR is taking a Christmas Break I thought I would post this true story. So...
A week ago I was taking a walk. I took this picture which I thought was interesting. Leafless Trees against the sky creating an interesting Silhouette. And that is my first picture.
(https://postimg.cc/ZBRLNNN5)
So at home looking at it, I thought goodness why not place a threshold adjustment layer to increase the contrast. Wow.. the photo popped out. And that is the second picture.
(https://postimg.cc/LYnz5pdq)
Well gosh what if I inverted the photo and that certainly made it more interesting and exciting. And that is the third Picture.
(https://postimg.cc/pmRz88bM)
Finally I cropped it a lot more and placed a cardinal on one of the branches and added some Text. And that is the fourth picture.
Merry Christmas to all of you.
(https://postimg.cc/sGCvzd3C)
:hug:
Beautiful Phil!
Lovely transformation
My family spent Christmas at Sunset Beach NC. Its interesting in that you can photograph the sunrise as well as the sunset from the same location. Have a Happy New Year Everyone.
Phil
(https://postimg.cc/KkY1jtcd)
Love your beach shot Phil. This was the view off my sister's dock the evening before that holiday storm blew in.
(https://postimg.cc/75spgg7J)
Gorgeous! Dramatic skies over water - one of my favorite views.
Beautiful shot Shadow!
Wow such rich color. Thanks for posting it.
Thanks gang :hug:
Lovely, lovely, lovely!!
Beautiful Lyn :loveit:
Beautiful sunset and clouds Lyn!
Though I've been MIA from OPR, I have been busy. Here's my latest project. With the floor done and wallpapering done I was able to get the vanity base in. I just put the sink in place. Now we need to get connected, get the mirror up, as well as the towel bars. Then David will have his bathroom sink back. Most importantly is that he will be able to get his wheels under the edge so it'll be easier to use the sink.
*Update: Had to post a better picture and the part for the new drain connect is on it's way. Always something. LOL
(https://postimg.cc/DJLVVF03)
Looks good Candy. Man you have mad skills!
Thank you, Shadow. Necessity, right? lol
David is a lucky man Candy!
Great job. :up2:
Well the cold weather has arrived. Ice bergs are starting to form.
(https://postimg.cc/0Mj2DFc9)
The cold weather has definitely arrived here in Michigan Phil.
We were greeted with a minus 11 degree temp this morning. The "feels like" temp registered a minus 18 degrees.
OUCH!
(https://postimages.org/)
While you are all in the deep freeze, we are in the oven! The hottest in the country was recorded at 121F and we will be getting at least 107F on Thursday. Even the roads are melting!
https://bit.ly/2sGPX81 (https://bit.ly/2sGPX81)
Phil. there are no icebergs here but winter has come here too! (lobelias
(https://postimg.cc/MX0w4Zkg)
Wow Tess! Sure hope you are able to stay cool inside. How are all your gorgeous flowers managing?
Love your pic Hannie.
Great pic Hannie... Not to be left out.. we had a mild frost here last night.. :cool:
All my dark coloured roses are fried but the light coloured ones are in full bloom Shadow.
Hannie, how beautiful, but poor flowers. Here it is freezing rain followed by light dusting of snow. And not to forget the 30 to 40 mph winds. This year winter is the pits!
Wow such a contrast. OPR spans the globe.
We traveled under the coolest sky this weekend. Not sure I've ever seen clouds like this before.
(https://postimg.cc/9RvN9XS4)
(https://postimg.cc/N2mCkqqd)
Lovely .... don't ya love the sky.. :loveit:
Lovely skies. As a kid, we called those herringbone skies; in searching that, I found a blog about skies and weather and the term Mackerel skies was used (which also sounds vaguely familiar)
https://www.naturalnavigator.com/news/2017/01/mackerel-sky/
Do love the sky Lynn. Amazing what a beautiful canvas it is. Thanks for the link Jo Ann. Learning something new makes for a good day :)
Great shots Shadow. Now for some photos of all of freezing with the Polar Vortex coming through.
Ok Margie. Temp right now is -21F. Here are two photos I took about sunrise. The warm moist air coming off the lake condenses to form fog.
(https://postimg.cc/HJm3rhF2)
(https://postimg.cc/CZNCzHyn)
Thanks Margie and Oh my Phil!! :wow:
Brrrrr !!!!! Brrrrr !!!!!
I probably should not complain about the cold weather over here...
Adorable Hannie.
Well Done, Hannie. Unique. Artistic.
Hannie, that make me cold and hungry! LOL
32 deg on the coast and 37 in the western suburbs. A day inside with the house closed up
Doesn't look at all like me Hannie so it won't work!!!!!!!!
Athol
I took this out of my window this morning. It appears that winter is still here.
(https://postimg.cc/RJH3Qsdw)
Think I need another cup of steaming hot coffee after seeing that Phil. ;) Man, looks so cold!
Wow Phil, beautiful picture, but I'm of the same thought as Shadow. Brrrrrrr!
Phil, it looks so beautiful but I sure am glad that over here spring seems to have sprung.
Does that mean you have some gorgeous flowers popping up Hannie?
Lol, not yet Lyn! The crocus and hyacinth leaves are already up but no flowers yet.
__/)
.-(__(=:
|\ | \)
\ ||
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\|
|
So ready for spring I got ahead of myself :) love the design Hannie.
Never boring at Sister's house. Here are some of the visitors we saw from the veranda.
(https://postimg.cc/YhSnDcTJ)
(https://postimg.cc/qzZm9bTg)
(https://postimg.cc/7GV9XX9H)
(https://postimg.cc/N9Yb1Z1C)
(https://postimg.cc/BjLhsTSp)
Lovely photos Shadow!
Thanks Tori. One day I'm going to rent a big ole' lens and a full frame camera and see if I can get some really nice shots. Nothing better than sitting out there with a big cup of coffee and watching all the different birds and critters.
Shadow..... Wonderful pics!!
I'll share our friends. This fine couple has come in for the past week.
(https://postimg.cc/CZvyZfPz)
I will have to get around to dealing with this:
(https://postimg.cc/PNpWLG3n)
Brrrr!!!
Lovely pics everyone. Tori, you can send some of that cold down here. Friday and Saturday were 104 in the shade with high 70's overnight.
Shadow, your sister is so lucky to have so many different beautiful birds near, love your shots!
Make sure not to walk to close to your house Tori.... ;)
Candy's fine couple reminds me of the swan couple busy looking for a suitable nesting spot here. I want to tell them it is warm now but winter can still return.
Would love to send some cooler air your way Tess! It's -17 F here this morning.
Hannie, we know about winter returning here in Oklahoma. Strange as it is, we have a light snow falling right now. Spring is taking her time this season!
Nothing to match Tori's icicles or low temps, but as you get older 2 to 3 in is too much. Okay, seriously I can take that, but with winds of over 30 mph; I have drifts in some spots of around 2-3 ft. I ignore them except for the one in front of a north facing garage. Got through shoveling and only enough to get the car out and luckily the drift went for only a short distance. The cold here will be around 8 to 0. My house is total electric which is great is the summer, but a heat pump in the winter is a way to finance the electric company and the stockholders. So about 3 years ago I bought a Vermont stove that is a catalytic wood burning stove which is very efficient. However, it doesn't stock itself and this weekend the boyfriend brought in plenty of firewood. Winter is losing its charm and so is bringing in firewood. Thought you might like to see the collection. The blue container is 38" long and the wood up to about 28".
Shadow, renting a lens is the way to go. I like the Lens Depot, and have used them for weddings and even an OPR copy run.
(https://postimg.cc/rzsppXjt)
Margie, we must keep the kitties happy!
Sure like your fine couple Candy. And wow Tori ... too cold for us!
She sure does Hannie. Visiting her is always an adventure. They have birds and all sorts of critters out there. Last spring a huge pig showed up near their home. Fortunately they have a wonderful game warden that helps with surprises like that. Any pics of your swan couple yet?
Tess, sure hope that awful heat wave breaks soon. Have been following it online. Beastly! Hope you are able to stay cool indoors.
You said it Margie ... "winter is losing it's charm!" Enjoyed the pics and thanks for the heads up on the Lens Depot. Will check them out before my next trip.
Has anyone seen Jo Ann around the cooler?? she's gone awal? I sure do miss her input..
I have been AWOL for a little while, but I'm largely back, at least for a few weeks. And how nice of you to miss me!
We got a record-setting (for here) two feet of snow in three storms earlier in February. Nothing is set up for snow clearance in the Seattle area, plus it took down more trees in our yard (we'd lost a couple to windstorms in January - been a tough year for the garden). After we dug out our (long) driveway and cut tree branches so we could get out, I was away visiting family. Then there were visitors, some other family related distractions and before you know it most of February was gonzo :)
We *still* have some ugly lumps of what used to be snow hanging around and it's sleeting right now!!
This is the driveway after snowstorm #2
(https://postimg.cc/9wZWPSLC)
This is my daughter after she and I finished digging out the (long) driveway so we could leave after snowstorm #3
(https://postimg.cc/23GmY4gH)
To mis-quote John Lennon: life is what happens while you're busy making plans... :)
No snow here, we are 1000km north of my computer on the Sunshine Coast for a family holiday. The weather has certainy changed, north of us is recovering from a cyclone with flooding. Sydney suffered a dust storm with the western part of the state jin a 5 year drought and uncontrolled large bushfires further south. Farmers are certainly doing it tough.
However, Maisy and my daughter made the most of yhe beach yesterday
Cheers
Atholl
(https://postimg.cc/PvnB8J1b)
Wow, Jo Ann I feel like a sissy for complaining about our snow. Glad you are back. Hope it didn't bring down any trees. Cute picture of your daughter, at least she is smiling. And then there is Athol's beautiful picture the opposite of what we have here, but Australia is suffering from weather at the opposite end. Makes one dread what's in store to come.
We don't expect anything like the record February snows, but it's at it *again* this morning!! Snow, snow go away...
(https://postimg.cc/sMm28xs0)
My son lives in Seattle... his driveway is an hallucination of a goat track... they didn't get out for nearly a week lol - coming from a New England Winter we had a good laugh.. even more so now we bask about in the sun in Florida..
Hey! were old - we deserve it... :cool: :crazy:
We lived in New Hampshire for 11 years, so I do know what a real winter looks like :)
And enjoy your warmth and sun - gloat a lot about wimpy Seattleites complaining about a dusting!!
I have had my fill of snow and freezing drizzle this winter, but Jo Ann your view is beautiful if you only didn't have to get out in it.
Lynn, let's not gloat. :funny: GK our long time OPR volunteer who for health reasons doesn't get on the Forum anymore, used to really rub it in during the winter moths. She too lives in Florida.
I know.. I'm totally sick of all the sun we get, the kayaking is getting really grueling and the bird life is driving me nuts...sigh.. oh for a nice freezing rain.. :funny:
I miss Glenna! She was a kick!!! Also, good to see you back JoAnn
There is a flock of Robins out my back window and light fog! Five days ago we were at 8 degrees at night. 21 degrees for the day. Yesterday it was in the 40s. Ahhhh Oklahoma Spring!!
Lynn, I'm going to start sticking pins into a model of your computer and tablet to make curves jump around like crazy if you're not careful :)
We'll get back to those vivid blue skies and low humidity warm days with gentle breezes and then I won't be thinking...how I miss the three-shower-days of Florida's humid summers :)
(And we'll take the Spring break week in San Diego which will provide an interim boost of sunshine and warmth until ours returns)
Lynn, I feel your pain.
Love the beach shot Athol and enjoyed the winter pics Jo Ann ... especially from down here where there's none of that white stuff! ;)
I'm with Margie, sick of winter!! We haven't had anything like all of you folks in the north but ole' Mother Nature has dealt plenty of weird weather. So ready for some sunshine :P
Shadow, all over it's been an odd winter. It's almost over though!
The thunderstorms blew through here yesterday and today is glorious. The sun is out and everything is so vibrant. We headed over to one of our favorite ponds to explore. Came across this pair. Beautiful markings. Bet one of you wise ones knows what kind of duck this is ... yes? ^-^
(https://postimg.cc/MfQDtQHS)
(https://postimg.cc/WtFXsQnH)
(https://postimg.cc/QV2SC0Yx)
What a lovely couple of Wood Ducks!!
Thanks Candy. Now I can go read all about them.
Shadow, what beautiful photos of the wood ducks. I think they are one of the most beautiful, and of course the male gets all the glory. I have the Walnut River in my backyard and back when we had a canoe we would come up on them.
:hug:
Lovely ducks Lyn... I see them when we go kayaking.. so beautiful :hug:
You live in paradise Lynn!
Lol..except when its 95 and 100 % humidity :'(
I have 100% humidity today - but it's in the form of rain, and the temperature will be lucky to hit 60 :)
Last week we were in the West Coast version of paradise (Windansea Beach in San Diego)
(https://postimg.cc/CzFH3Y4H)
That's so pretty, Jo.
Jo Ann, I am so envious!
Lovely!
(https://ibb.co/BBsx8sz)
To all my OPR friends, I wish you a blessed Easter! Love, Candy
HAPPY EASTER CANDY AND ALL AT OPR
Happy Easter everyone!
Someone give me Bambi's email address so I can make a request. She doesn't have a banner in her gallery with it on it.
Thanks.
bnicklen [at] operationphotorescue [dot] org
Thank you, Jo.
Candy, the sign is back in Bambi's Gallery with her email address. Wind must have blown it away.
Thank you, Margie. Coming from Oklahoma, I could go with wind. :up:
Spent the last couple of days an hour up the road at Cedar Key... can only stay two days as we get so relaxed we fall into comas...
Great shots and such a mixture of celebrity subjects, too!!!
Thanks Candy.. I just lost most of a day's work on my latest muckerupper ... don't ask me how.. it's payment for going to Cedar Key and lolling about with shrimp and wine... :'(
Ughhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!! I feel your pain!!! Now I "control S" every few minutes, I'm so paranoid!
I FOUND THE FILE!!! YEAY... BACKED UP ON MY SEAGATE DRIVE!!! I must have done something right after all.. phew! that was a lot of work down the drain...YEAY!!! :funny:
Woot!! Woot!! :hug:
So glad you found the file.
Time for more shrimp and wine... :)
Good Idea Jo :up: :up:
I didn't look at your photos earlier - brain on the fritz.
Looks like a gorgeous place. Can't see what harm a few more days would do...
That lizard's pose is hilarious! Given the raptor (not sure if that's a hawk - not good with bird IDs beyond owls and bald eagles!) you photographed, the lizard needs to pay attention to his surroundings!
We are pretty relaxed when we arrive at Cedar Key.. couple of days tips us over the edge into comatose.. the raptor bird is an Osprey.. big, like an eagle..
Beautiful shots Lynn, what is the little bird?
Cedar Key looks like a lovely little town, have fun!
Hi Hannie thanks, pictures were experimental with new eyes and new camera.. birds were all a bit underexposed and noisey... I'll do better next time ::) The little bird (fluffy one) is a Northern Water Thrush... (that's according to DH who is the birder in the family).
Lynn, love your photos and would love to check the place. Is the larger bird a Mississippi Kite or Osprey--or neither?
What a lovely break.
Hi Margie thanks..its an Osprey.
Wonderful shots Lynn! What a fabulous place. Thanks for sharing. :)
Couple of shots from my very stressful couple of days back at Cedar Key... had to leave early cos the yellow flies were sooo bad.. could'nt get out of the car :mad:
The bird digging in the mud is an Ibis and the other white bird is a great white egret. They are so beautiful.. I like the Ibis.. looked at me as if to say.. "what you lookin at"..
I think the egret is the belle of the ball - so very elegant in shape and I love the wispy ends to the feathers. Shame about the flies though...
Beautiful Lynn. Sorry those pesky bugs drove you away. They can be awful.
Beautiful ibis shots Lynn. I had to look up yellow flies, I know all about black flies and as tiny as they are they have huge jaws! :)
Beautiful pictures Lynn!
I love the pictures, Lynn!!
Thinking of all our friends and colleagues in the path of these storms today. Please be safe and check in so we don't worry about you.
Just a bit of rain last night. This is dry most of the time until our neighbors pond overflows. This is about 3 foot of water in the bottom area of our land.
(https://postimg.cc/hXcwJWZT)
Wow Candice. It sure seems our country is getting more than its share of rain. Hope your house and buildings are ok.
I don't know what they are, but the red caught my eye. They are no bigger than 1/4" in size.
(https://postimg.cc/pyDMyZXN)
Quote from: philbach on May 21, 2019, 02:38:49 PM
Wow Candice. It sure seems our country is getting more than its share of rain. Hope your house and buildings are ok.
All is well, Phil. We're on high ground. Noah would have to be building an ark for the rains to reach us. lol
Candy I think those red berries are very poisonous don't touch them...I think they might be crab eyes. ..are they berries?? Or bugs...too small to see..
Beauty in the simplest of things.
(https://postimg.cc/zb01xDLC)
(https://postimg.cc/kBkP1p5p)
Lynn, they are bugs. :)
She finally sat still, well still enough, for me to take this picture. Y'all have a great week!!
(https://postimg.cc/HrdnvnnK)
I hope that water drains soon! There are ladybugs with stripes and other patterns - some really elaborate ones (I've only seen in a google search; never in my garden!)
Ladybugs are great to have as they eat aphids and not sure what else, but they are "good bugs."
Looks like you got more than your share of rain Candy. Loved the adorable bird!
On our stroll this afternoon we passed four houses where they were cleaning up after huge oaks were damaged by wind and lightning during the storms. Breaks my heart when those giant trees come down.
Some of the BlackJack Oaks have short roots. If pushed to hard the old trees can't stand up to mother nature. I lost one huge tree via an ice storm right after we moved into our home. You're right, it does break ones heart!
Our area had over 5" of rain last night.
Um.. does anyone else think this might be a brown recluse spider? on my window? in Florida?
I'm not sure, but that pattern on its back looks wrong - and did you count the eyes? And FL isn't on the list of states in the article below...
https://www.wikihow.com/Identify-a-Brown-Recluse
Look at the pattern in the article below for a female house spider - it looks like those stripes to me
http://spiderbytes.org/2015/06/08/how-to-tell-if-a-spider-is-not-a-brown-recluse/
Did I count the eyes?? I had a hard time getting close enough to get these.. I'm afraid of nothing... except spiders... apparently they are found in Florida but not native.. I'm hoping it will leave the area on it's own. I just checked and it's gone.. now I wonder where.... :-\
Did I count the eyes?? I had a hard time getting close enough to get these.. I'm afraid of nothing... except spiders. :funny: :funny: :funny:
Lynn, I agree that I don't think it is a brown recluse spider as the it would have what looks like a violin pattern on its back. Hopefully you were using a macro setting and the spider is not that BIG! If it is that big, run, run, run!
Quote from: Lynnya on August 01, 2019, 01:46:57 PM
Did I count the eyes?? ...
:)
We keep a plastic drink tumbler and a piece of card on the counter for capture and ejection to the outside of any spiders that come visiting - it is nicer to know they're outside than wonder where they might have found to hide inside. Needs to be a transparent plastic tumbler so you can be sure you captured the critter. And the card wants to be rigid enough to slide easily between wall/window and tumbler (and then you know you wont get bitten through it should the invader get upset about his eviction).
Works for stink bugs too, if you have those :)
No stink bugs.. we did have those in Australia tho when we lived there.. I usually call for backup on spiders and creepy things but he's getting new tires put on the truck.. :( I did however have the fun experience of having a large snake fall out of the tree onto my head and shoulders.. I shut it in the porch but when it looked at me and said (with it's eyes of course) "I'm sorry I fell on your head, I didn't mean to".. I let it out.
I need a bit of comic relief from this hand that won't comply...
I'm with Margie ... no matter the size! Run! :)
;D
Lynn, you are a brave and kind soul. I don't have problems with snakes, but one landing on my head would have freaked me out.
This is more what I didn't wake up to. With all emergencies it seems like they happen at the worst time. Saturday I was faced with losing Smoky because his kidneys were shutting down. Unfortunately my vet was out of town and when I called the emergency number; I got a text saying she was out of town and would not be back until late that evening. At around 9 pm Smoky was able to cross over the rainbow bridge. He was somewhere between 18 and 20 and was one of 3 drop offs that happens a lot when you live in the country. This picture was taken in 2012 when he looked at his best. RIP Smoky.
(https://postimg.cc/s120Z3Vs)
Oh Margie. So very sorry. :hug:
:'(
Oh Margie so very sorry for your loss.. my Toby (little black dog) is also at Rainbow Bridge so Smoky is not alone. So sorry :hug:
Smoky was beautiful! I'd like to think of him running after all the mice he can get. I'm sorry for your loss, Margie. :hug:
I'm so sorry Margie. Losing a pet is so hard. They give us so much.
Margie, I'm so sorry to hear you lost your beautiful cat Smokey.
So sorry to hear about Smokey, Margie. :'(
We have a new resident moved into our garden... A young Florida red shouldered hawk...
Hawks are neat. Great pic!
Thanks.. yeah.. it's fun to watch him attack tiny lizards and try to cope with them for dinner.. he's not very good at it yet..
Wow, what a stunning view!
The great blue heron here are so tame now that you can walk right up to them. (phone piccie)
(https://postimg.cc/6yb49dRt)
Nice pic Hannie.. don't ya just love great Blue Herons... :loveit:
Lovely pic of your new resident Lynn, and Hannie, love your Blue Heron. You two walk around among so many stunning birds. Wow.
Hawk is SO awesome.
I had a "pet" heron when I lived on the lake. It was so magnificent. Never got too close though.
Hi all.. can y'all check around the break room and cooler and see if Jo Ann is lurking about in there... she's been away far too long and I for one need her expertise if I'm to submit anything decent.. :mad:
I was wondering about that myself.
In honor of Tess we took along our point and shoot to capture some of the gorgeous colors we've been seeing.
(https://postimg.cc/CBJ9vPGt)
(https://postimg.cc/FfV6RWBR)
(https://postimg.cc/SYJ1gyN2)
(https://postimg.cc/5HVGfdpT)
Lovely Lyn and Shadow..
Thinking of Tess.
Lyn and Shadow, Tess would love it. I will put this link on her daughter Bethany's Facebook page.
Thanks.
Beautiful photos in honor of Tess.
I remeber how much she loved this photo (South Africa), she used it as a desktop wallpaper for a while...
(https://postimg.cc/B8MsQFkc)
Beautiful Hannie.
(https://postimg.cc/fkfRnJ3N)
Gorgeous Schen
Beautiful! :up:
The other day I was riding my trike on a beautiful day and I thought I was on top of the world
(https://postimg.cc/S2dZx1CZ)
Phil, looks like it. Hope you got back down to ground safely? :)
You were Phil, you were! ;D
What fun Phil!
Virginia Creeper
It was so pretty this year!
(https://postimg.cc/Cdrsy86K)
Candy, how beautiful. As for myself I woke up to the first day of work for the next 6 months or so. Because of Covid-19 I will be able starting in a day or so to work from home.
What has been done to this nation because of Covid, IMHO, is detestable. I'm glad that you were able to at least able to work from home. In the beginning my son's job was shut down. He was in Hotel Management and had just moved to CA. My daughter's business was deemed "non-essential" and they had to close for 2 months.
And just two weeks ago my husband lost his big brother. Jim was found deceased in his home. Yes, it's been a hard year for families, friends, and a nation. However, we have all maintained our health and minus the crazy weather, life is still a blessing! :hug:
Oh Candy, I am so sorry for your husband losing his big brother and the loss for the family. My sister almost died, but luckily the 2nd doctor wanted her stay over a night in the hospital because she had short seizures where she was unaware of what was happening. She was sent to the hospital and good thing she did as at 2 am the next morning her heart stopped as did her breathing. They performed CPR on her. She is still in pain from the chest compressions. She is high risk because of all her medical conditions and worry about her because of Covid-19.
Take care everyone and cherish your relations and friends as you never know when you might never see them again.
:hug:
QuoteTake care everyone and cherish your relations and friends as you never know when you might never see them again.
:hug:
So true, best wishes to all.
Bruises can heal. I wish her and your family a full recovery. It is so true, "Cherishing others" is more important these days. :loveit:
Yes, best wishes to all.
(https://postimg.cc/n94ZYBc8)
Thanks Everyone! I think this was especially hard this year losing Tess and Pat Wendt. I still have both on my friends list in Facebook and couldn't stand the thought of removing them. :'(
:hug:
I feel the same Margie.
:hug:
Hannie, I remember the times when the 3 of us would be able to be on chat despite the hardship of different time zones--Kansas, Australia, and the Netherlands. This was about the time I took over and things weren't running smooth. Despite staying up to 2 am the chance of making each other laugh was priceless. All of our inner team has been together for a long time and offer moral support and also rein me in when I get out of hand. Plus, I value the volunteers that I have become close with over the years. And then there are some that like to hang on me, like a certain Australian I know and an inner team member that can't wait till birthdays to call us "old.". :funny:
Stay safe everyone, I can't stand any more losses this year.
:hug:
Good Morning Everyone,
This conversation has veered off from the original subject and now has become more of a partisan nature. Everyone is entitled to the own opinion, but I feel this conversation needs to end as it is getting away from what the OPR Forum is for. Unfortunately without photos to restore it has become stagnant, but I want things to stay on track and congenial with one another.
I am removing some previous posts because of the reasons given above. That is all I have to say.
:hug:
Good idea!
Well I have photoshop 2021 and started to see what hath that version brought. One of several amazing things is Select and Mask. So you open the file and then under the select menue you click select and mask. Next you select subject and after that select refine hair and then you are done. Wow. Here are three that I did. The middle photo has a small mistake that can be easily masked out.
(https://postimg.cc/94ZL0p1k)
(https://postimg.cc/XGWQCCzY)
(https://postimg.cc/7GNXMZFM)
Phil, I saw a demo at the Adobe Max Creativity Conference (virtual). PS finally caught up with facial recognition and the hair refinement is what I always wanted.
I have been working from home since March. I do some product photos for work and my old CS6 at home seemed sufficient for the task so I haven't bothered to figure out how to run the shared license from work to use the latest and greatest.
Well to me its pretty darn amazing. But like you much of what photoshop offers I don't use.
Wow Phil. Thanks for sharing. Been out on any more rides? :)
Nice job Phil, makes me tempted to update.
Hi. No more bicycling up here in Wisconsin. Just too darn cold. Now in the day I would ride in cold weather. Here is another photoshop invention. Here is a portrait I took of myself yesterday via my iPhone. To that portrait I applied a Happy filter. Too funny
(https://postimg.cc/2VbckFJR)
Phil, I need to get on my work computer to update to PS2021 so I can get a smile :)
I used to bike whenever there was no snow on the ground but that was my younger days. We just had two days in the 50s in northern Illinois, the same temperature as in Florida. The difference is that they are warming up today and we are dropping back to the 40s.
Like it! :up2:
Well I didn't get up to this this morning but I did last week. Photo taken at Sunset Beach NC. Dunes in the foreground and residential condos in the background.
(https://postimg.cc/SjtT9SZt)
Wow Phil. Makes me want to curl up in a rocker on the veranda with a cup of jo and watch the sky.
Well thanks Shadow. Now I am back in Wisconsin with lots of snow and ice on the ground. But it was fun.
Glad it was fun Phil. Miss the ocean! Is the lake frozen yet?
No Lake Michigan has no ice on the shoreline. Its been a very warm winter here
Does that mean its warm enough to see more cool photos of you cycling? :)
Beautiful picture Phil and really love it in black & white.
Thank You Margie. Shadow here is a photo I took a few minutes ago.
(https://postimg.cc/gnNWRrSh)
This is compared to one taken in 1973 at Roughly the same location
(https://postimg.cc/3kNHZ7Vc)
This photo shows my nephews and nieces in 1961 standing on an iceberg out in the lake looking toward shore
(https://postimg.cc/JGn1pbBx)
So the winters are getting milder here. Summers seem to me to be about the same.
Wow Phil. Your photos take me back to our time living in Labrador. You're right. Winter does seem milder. 'Course, since winter weather is bearing down on us in the south I don't want to say that too loud. ::) Thanks for sharing!
Well this is the morning sun shining on Lake Michigan
(https://postimg.cc/SJQdCT5Z)
GORGEOUS!!
Thank You Shadow. I made a video of the drone flight that I made yesterday as well if you wish to see it. Anyone can view it if they wish.
https://vimeo.com/499270893
Beautiful Phil. Especially enjoyed the view from over the water. Thanks for sharing. :)
Thanks, Shadow.
I am Watching this site.
(https://postimg.cc/LJNVF3SN)
Quote from: philbach on January 19, 2021, 12:15:14 PM
I am Watching this site.
(https://postimg.cc/LJNVF3SN)
Me too.
Is this a form of hypnosis? ZZZZZZZZZZZZZ
LOL
Upon looking out the window this morning I came to the conclusion that winter is here.
(https://postimg.cc/QBfm5Kb4)
We totally agree! ;D
Beautiful, but I'll opt out.
Something different. How do I get the contacts all the same smaller size? Mac, Big Sur.
(https://postimg.cc/xqNdRd5b)
Found the solution. I had accidentally "pinned" the top contact.
This was a few days old but we are still getting snow from time to time.
(https://postimg.cc/m1H0NGhy)
Lovely Schen and way too cold for me. :)
Nice Schen, makes feel at home.
Phil, you live north of me and by the lake. I can't compete with you for the amount of snow.
(https://postimg.cc/fkGkXYRx)
Well that photo is about what we have here.
The snow looks like fun ... especially since I don't have to shovel it. ;)
Well we have not had a temp above freezing for a few weeks now and things are getting icy. I took this photo last evening.
(https://postimg.cc/n9bWzPMm)
Know what you mean. After a week of below zero (F) temps (down to -26F with 30mph winds), it got up to 28F today and it feels like spring!
https://getknitevents.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/1609681_10201283059499805_1231750879_n.jpg (https://getknitevents.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/1609681_10201283059499805_1231750879_n.jpg)
https://getknitevents.com/minnesotans-odd/ (https://getknitevents.com/minnesotans-odd/)
Torii, love your pictures and I give you bragging rights for be the coldest. I was going to mention mu -17, but was afraid it would make me look like a wimp.
I am so happy that I am able to work at home this year as don't think I would have been up to the 60 mile a day commute.
Stay warm everyone.
We finally got above freezing today. Snow started melting on the roof.
(https://postimg.cc/dDLzM3pj)
Hey Gang. The seasons are changing finally. Here's a bit of what we saw on a stroll. How's things where you are?
(https://postimg.cc/SYXL26cx)
(https://postimg.cc/6TTfmXFx)
(https://postimg.cc/XpCcngV2)
(https://postimg.cc/xq73rZSJ)
Lovely Shadow! nice stroll indeed..
This is from my window last afternoon with my phone...a dirty window I might add... ::)
(https://postimg.cc/hQbmvpzG)
Yesterday around dusk, I walked up to this tree and could not believe my eyes.
(https://postimg.cc/zLY4HQJD)
(https://postimg.cc/WdYh2Mj7)
I've been AWOL lately - we're in the process of moving coast to coast and it's eating up all time available. Lovely to see everyone's autumn colors. I'll offer colors from a recent house-hunting trip - from a park about a mile from what will be our house in a month or two. That's the Charles River - I took a short and thorny detour from a path to try and get closer to the water
(https://postimg.cc/dkpQSh9N)
I envy you all to live in such beauty!
The colors are amazing (yes, the Popsicle too) and Lynn what a gorgeous view you have. :loveit:
Lynn, love your view! What is the red tree/bush?
Jo Ann, gorgeous. Good luck with the move.
Schen on our stroll today I'm going to be seeing popsicles everywhere. Love the tree colors.
Wishing everyone a lovely weekend. :)
Good luck with your move JoAnn! I'm going to miss not having you just around the corner from me!
Looking out my backyard at the Walnut River--little low right now. Would have loved to post the pictures I took on a 3 hr train rain from Van Buren, AK to Winslow, AK, but the memory card got corrupted. :'(
Love all your pictures and Schen's sense of humor. Jo Ann, where are you moving to?
(https://postimg.cc/cttfnGwk)
Wow Margie. That's a mighty nice view to the river! Lucky you ^-^
I'll second that "Wow" to Margie's Walnut River view - it's gorgeous.
Needham Massachusetts - just west of Boston. We lived in the Boston area before, but not there, so it'll be both familiar and new.
We know needham..we lived in athol Massachusetts for 40 years..know Boston well. Lovely town. Best of luck 👍👍
(https://postimg.cc/N2Kwkkk0)
Love the colors Schen!
We have been watching this gorgeous tree for a while. The bark is falling off leaving the smooth white trunk. Its happening near a couple of ponds we visit.
(https://postimg.cc/m1bYBYQ8)
That's lovely - could it be an American Sycamore?
https://www.fast-growing-trees.com/pages/white-bark-trees
Lovely shadow, and I agree with Jo Ann that it looks like a Sycamore. Love their bark and leaves.
Thanks Margie and Jo Ann. Its always a good day when I learn something new. Putting these pics out to see if someone knows the name of the plant with the red flowers. We were out exploring a few weeks ago and came across these gorgeous planters on a little bridge over a pond. We went back every day for a week and they remained just as gorgeous and hardy as they are here. Any ideas?
(https://postimg.cc/rdp75WQn)
(https://postimg.cc/671gc3P9)
Beautiful pictures!!
Shadow, I think they are cockscomb. Beautiful planter!
There are two free phone apps I used often to identify plants, PlantNet and iNaturalist. You might want to give them a try.
That is a lovely planter indeed and a nice park by the looks of it :up:
Thanks for the info and tip Schen. Will check out the apps. And thanks Lynn and Candy. Glad you enjoyed the plants. The colors were so striking.
Wish everyone a lovely weekend. :)
Shadow, what a beautiful planter.
Yesterday, we had the reddest clouds I could remember at sunset.
(https://postimg.cc/FkmNwXfX)
Well up here in Wisconsin we had quite the blizzard with 35 mph east winds off of Lake Michigan. Just before bedtime tonight I peaked out the curtains and took this photo and then closed the curtains again real fast.
(https://postimg.cc/njcM6TKN)
:funny: cabin fever Phil??
What does this arrow mean. Dropbox no longer appears is ps Bridge.
(https://postimg.cc/XGH9RwWk)
The arrow on a file or folder indicates it's an alias. A pointer to where the actual file or folder lives. You can select the alias and right click to "Show Original" so you can find the source
"Revert capture time to original"???
No lunch in the garden for me today!
(https://postimg.cc/rDzhxNXJ)
Hey Jo Ann, nice to see you.. same "no lunch" here as well....
(https://postimg.cc/0K89bw3W)
It's the first time in a while that Pacific Northwest and New England have been on the same weather page!
This was Monday afternoon - 61 degrees!!
(https://postimg.cc/F7Nxm598)
The temperature differences across the country is incredible, giving Storm Olive plenty of energy!
(https://postimg.cc/V0dWbpKt)
18 degrees here in Pacific Northwest.. my chickens sleep in the trees silly birds, I was so worried but they have survived.. crazy weather. :wow:
Ha! Wednesday it was 65. Today is 25. Gotta love Oklahoma!
Spring is here if you believe it. Last week, we had five days of above 80 highs by Sunday evening, and it dropped below freezing.
(https://postimg.cc/6yN0j2dW)
This year, I started volunteering at Morton Arboretum. My job title is Phenology Monitor and my task is to observe and record the seasonal changes in the plants for the research. I have been assigned 15 oak trees. Here are the pictures of six different oaks' catkins (the male flowers). For the tree nerds, they are (clockwise from the upper-left corner) fernowii, alba, shumardii, georgiana, bicolor, and rubra. Their common names are Fernow's, White, Schneck's, Georgia, Swamp White, and Red. It takes me about an hour each week and the best parts are that it gets me out of my chair, takes me into the woods, and saves me $15 per visit.
(https://postimg.cc/Dm2vh5QR)
What a great volunteering job Shujen. Will you also have to record any changes in birds and insects?
I still feel somewhat traumatized when I see catkins. When I was 6 years old I went to the park and took some branches with catkins to give to my mother (she loved them). The park ranger saw what I had done and had a few words to say about it. I had to give my name and address and lived in fear for the rest of the week for the ranger to come to my house and tell my parents. :knuppel:
I learned something about catkins - thanks schen! The woods around me are showing more signs of spring every day - including the skunk cabbage!
(https://postimg.cc/vctZ0xg9)
Wonderful Schen! And your pic of the woods is so inviting Jo Ann!
Hannie, they do have traps for insects. I know there are people working on frogs and snakes but I am not sure about birds. But my responsibility is limited to 15 oak trees.
One semester in college, I went crazy and signed up for a class in plant taxonomy. I was more interested in the philosophy of taxonomy then. It's fun to come back to it half a century later.
Wow! Congrats Schen, what an interesting way to volunteer. Keep us posted.
These baby acorns of three oaks are on my observation list.
It's interesting how different they are.
(https://postimg.cc/Mc8CBXpy)
Is the forum supposed to look like this? Hell, can't post an image without an http.... was a screenshot.
Fascinating Schen!
Kiska,
I am sorry. For the time being, we are stuck with this format until we find a better replacement. To post an image, please see:
https://www.operationphotorescue.org/forum/index.php?msg=55489
It's baaaaack. Thanks!
Thanks Schen. Much better
Our area is covered with very heavy smoke for the second day.
(https://postimg.cc/XZNXfJzZ)
(https://postimages.org/)
The smoke reached Europe today. Spain and Portugal are hit the most. Supposedly the smoke would not be very concentrated over The Netherlands, NOT!
It has been very warm here so all my windows and doors are open and I'm sitting here coughing, eyes burning.
I can imagine what it must be like in your area Shujen, time to get face masks out again!
Yesterday, the wind shifted to the south so the smoke is being blown back to where it came from. Sorry. It must have a tremendous impact on life in general, not just human life. A friend of mine visited Yellow Stone last week and sent me much wildlife they saw. It reminded me of our visit in 1989 when we saw only a single moose and nothing else. The area was scorched by the great fire the year before.
(https://postimg.cc/t1JSHKNM)
Good thing you still have masks Hannie. Hope they help. And Schen, how are the trees you're monitoring managing the bad air? Hope things clear up for you guys quickly.
Shadow, the arboretum sent out warning messages to the volunteers to limit outdoor activities. So, I have not been out observing lately. The trees probably feel sad that their Canadian friends are burning. We are supposed to get some thunderstorms later today and hopefully, they will help clear up the air a little more.
Schen, those pictures are so sad. Having returned from Canada this month we missed getting in the middle of it. Canada is so beautiful and hoping for rains, although they're say the worst is still to come. Stay safe and guard your lungs.
Schen so sorry to see all that bad air.. hope you are taking precautions and Hannie stay safe over there please. We are so lucky here in the North West. Last year and the year before was really bad but this year we have nothing so far. All going your way.
Bad stuff to get in your lungs.
We have a Burr Oak that is well over 100 years old and right now it's acorn are small, too. They come in a group of 2 or 3. Their acorn also get's very large.
Very interesting to see your picture, Schen.
Candice, the burr oak has the largest acorn. They get to about an inch wide and an inch and a half long. All my life, I was looking at the acorns on the ground. This is the first time I observed them growing. It is very interesting.
Morton Arboretum is famous for its world-leading research in oaks. Because of that, they decided to double the size of the observers this year and that was how I got my job. There are so many different kinds of oaks in the collection here. I will take more pictures in the coming weeks. Here is a Sawtooth Oak with some baby acorns. The leaves do not look like what we usually think is an oak leaf.
(https://postimages.org/)
Schen, sounds like a great project to be involved with!! Keep sharing those pictures. We love them!!
The amazing variety of oak leaves:
(https://postimages.org/)
Bur Oak, Chimney Fire Oak, Cut-leaved Daimyo Oak, Dean Oak
Dumast Oak, Oriental White Oak, Maple-leaved Oak, Turkish Oak
Wow, didn't know there was such a variety of oaks!
That is interesting. I did not know that either. About 5 years I planted some Oak saplings in the yard and every year they grow. But I believe I will be long gone before they reach maturity.
Until I met these, I didn't know there are columnar oaks. These are Ware's Oak, a mix of Columnar English Oak and Swamp White Oak.
(https://postimg.cc/5Yv1DPM2)
Amazing!
Love the pics and the info Schen!! Thank you so much for sharing. Looking at all the trees around me with a keener eye. :)
I had to make a quick trip to Taipei, Taiwan last week. Something interesting caught my eye. Outside of many office buildings, there were tables set up. When lunchtime came, Uber Eats delivery person came by motorcycle or scooter (don't have to worry about parking). They dropped off the food on the table and left. There was no receptionist or security. I was told that since the beginning of the pandemic, they refused delivery persons to enter the buildings. It worked so well, the practice continued.
(https://postimg.cc/CzQmGFz3)
That is great Shujen! I don't think that would work here, I'm sure it would atract the pilferers.
How interesting and nice that your food was still there.
Yesterday, I attended a Moth Night event at Morton Arboretum. Moth Night is an annual event performing census data for research. We hung a piece of white cloth with two lamps of different wavelengths on each side and waited for the moths to land on it. I used a macro lens I bought at the hotel during a 24-hour layover in Tokyo in 1979. The lens is sharp but has no auto-focus. The flutter of the cloth in the wind made it very difficult to take close-up pictures.
(https://postimg.cc/nX7WFG20)
Very cool Schen!
Some of those colors and patterns are unreal, very beautiful Shujen!
Nice photos, Schen. You hooked up your old lens to a digital camera. They seem to be in good focus. I'll bet you moved with the moving cloth.
No this was not out my bedroom window.
(https://postimg.cc/BtBcfS4b)
Phil,
I think I fixed the problem that the image uploaded to postimg ended up as thumbnail.
Feel free to repost your beautiful picture.
Shujen
Well thanks Shen. I did not know what happened. I use Artmatic Voyager which makes interesting Landscapes. To be honest, I forgot what I posted but here is another landscape I made.
(https://postimg.cc/bZ5s4Sk3)
Well this morning I took this photo. Along the Lake Michigan Shoreline about 20 miles north of Milwaukee. This has been a very nice summer here. The best that I can remember
(https://postimg.cc/HrtpXCcg)
Halloween lawn decorations are out in the neighborhood!
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Schen be careful. You live in a scary neighborhood. 😎
A bit late ... love your lake pic Phil.
And Schen ... the skeleton up the tree with the dog is a hoot!
That's too cute, Schen!!
Love it!
We have had a strong east wind on Lake Michigan. Its died down some but there is still a pretty good surf
(https://postimg.cc/RJS60mSR)
Wow, it looks like a sea shore!
Lake Michigan at Indiana Dunes
(https://postimg.cc/8FxRt5VV)
It is about 30 miles across the lake from Chicago. If you squint, you can see the top half of Chicago skyline because the earth is round.
(https://postimg.cc/jwVfyFzx)
Beautiful skyline!
I always love your photos, Schen!!
This is a photo of Quarry Lake I took about one hour ago. It is located in Harrington Beach State Park.
(https://postimg.cc/8sYHnK9Z)
That's so beautiful, Phil!!
Thanks, Candice. The Park is within walking distance of where I live.
Phil,
That is a beautiful drone shot! I didn't know there was such a park before.
I just looked it up. It is a new state park, by that I mean it opened after I left Wisconsin.
Thanks Schen. When I was a kid it was privately owned. They used to have a full time guard and dog providing security. It was always exciting to sneak in and have a dip in the quarry. Best not to get caught I might add. I think it was converted into a park around 2009. I enjoyed your photos as well. Coming to Wisconsin from Pittsburgh along I-80 and the skyway show scenes like you so nicely captured.
Phil and Schem, wonderful photos. Thanks for sharing!
There is an abundance of acorns in our area this year. It turned out, that this is a "Mast Year." Because acorns are nutritious and favored by many animals (including humans), most of the acorns are consumed by them. Once in a few years, the oaks produce a massive amount of seeds and some of them will be left to germinate after all the animals are satisfied.
The picture below was taken from a mulch-paved trail under a hundred-year-old White Oak tree. Three weeks after they fell, there are still many left.
(https://postimg.cc/TyLJxtgY)
Very Nice Schen. Interesting what you can see if you will just take the time to look for it. Around here there are a lot of apple trees and the deer have a great time feeding on the apples when they fall off. This morning I was riding my Trike through Harrington Beach State Park and took this photo
Phil
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Nice shots Schen and Phil. Here's mine from returning from a 2 day Riverboat Twilight on the Mississippi from LeClair to Dubugue Iowa and back.
(https://postimg.cc/dL1vfPjb)
(https://postimg.cc/G9zdzhGP)
Nice Photos, Margie and I'll bet that was a very nice trip.
The colors are peaking in my area this week.
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Very Nice Schen. This is my favorite time of the year.
Phil, fall is my favorite season also.
The two different oaks have such different appearances. The top is Schneck's Oak and the bottom is Fernow's Oak.
(https://postimg.cc/vxb1yYKC)
Love all these nature photo's, thanks for posting everyone! The acorns look cute with all the different shapes and the river boat looks like a scene right out of Huckleberry Finn!
All I have to show is this little creation by our little neighbour boy: a sled filled with pumpkins, Mr. Halloween and lots of spiders. :-)
(https://postimg.cc/kVrcLkb1)
Happy Halloween, everybody!
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Happy Halloween everyone. Enjoyed all the pictures.
This is Idaho on our last little trip.
(https://postimg.cc/QVkGvP7r)
so peaceful.
Love everyone's photos, both the beauty of fall and Halloween humor. It's great to still stay in touch!
Halloween snow, the third time in the recorded history all in the last decade! The last time in 2019, it snowed a few inches before the leaves dropped and the snow on the leaves took down half of a tree in my front yard.
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A black maple tree. Not sure why it is named black. It looks a lot like a sugar maple but the leaves turn bright yellow.
(https://postimg.cc/NLpHZVv7)
Two big upright sugar maples with a Japanese maple at the lower left.
(https://postimg.cc/7fw2RkRL)
Love, love, love the fall colors!!
So beautiful!
Very Nice.
A couple of days ago I was at near by Harrington Beach State Park and decided to take a break.
(https://postimg.cc/jC7Ps6sV)
Nice drone fisheye shot, Phil.
I don't have a drone so I can only take the picture from the other direction.
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Hi Schen. My photo looked like a drone shot but was done with a 360 camera on a selfie stick. I liked your "reverse" photo as well.
The images are all wonderful! Thank you for sharing. :)
With most of the leaves and fruits dropped, my first year of serving as a phenology observer came to an end.
The sculpture in the foreground is "Oculus" by Olga Ziemska. I signed up to process the dead tree branches for her to build the sculptures but the date I signed up was canceled.
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That's interesting Schen. Thanks. Phrenologically speaking, near by Harrington Beach state park awaits the soon arrival of winter.
(https://postimg.cc/svhBVGbS)
One of the over-the-top decorations in my neighborhood. I like their next-door neighbor's simple approach (the red arrow).
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This has been the most decorated house in town for years.
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Wow Shen, that would be hard to beat.
I took this photo this morning right before sunrise
(https://postimg.cc/mPVVcQ2g)
Phil,
That looks beautiful. I am envious of you living so close to the lakefront.
Wow, Schen & Phil, both beautiful! I can't help but wonder what the electric bill is for all those lights.
The LED lights help conserve electricity. I bought a string of 800 LED bulbs that only uses 6W of power. The old incandescent lights I replaced used about 24W per 100 bulbs!
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The hottest Christmas Decoration this year. I found myself surrounded by people with a fraction of my age 🤭
(https://postimg.cc/6T7wyy5q)
Love all the pics. Here's some from the last couple days at the pond. These quackers are so fun to watch. What personalities they have. :)
(https://postimg.cc/BPXf2Jk7)
(https://postimg.cc/Lhbp2Zgc)
(https://postimg.cc/0rQsTCjG)
Great photos!
I recently visited a statue by Lorado Taft on the bluff over the Rock River in Illinois. Taft was a native of Illinois. He founded an art colony where this statue stands today. He named the statue "The Eternal Indian" but it is often referred to as the Black Hawk Statue. The concrete started deteriorating after more than 100 years and was restored a couple of years ago.
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That's Interesting Schen. Thanks.
Here is a link to a video I made. I have no idea whether this will show up here. Oh well.
https://vimeo.com/920116820?share=copy
Too low terrain, too low terrain!
Phil, watch out for the mountains.
Spring is here!
(https://postimg.cc/Xr07NBCq)
Spring Has Sprung!
Yes it has! It's like one day nothing and the next everything is in bloom. I imagine very beautiful where you are at.
Two years ago, I said.... no more spraying the yard. Now I have a very healthy crop of dandelions, and while the neighbors might be shaking their head the honey bees are buzzing!
(https://postimg.cc/hhrnLjnf)
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Great Candy, I'm a big thumbs up with Hannie Dandelions are one of the first sources of pollen for bees. The sad news is if your neighbors spray theirs, bad news for the bees. I also in the back yard had some healthy clover which the bees love.
Candy,
The bees will appreciate that.
Last weekend, we took a trip to Kansas City to visit a couple of museums.
Kemper Museum of Contemporary Art
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The thousand-year-old wood carving statue of Avalokiteśvara at Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art
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On the way back, I took pictures of some amazing cloudscapes.
(https://postimg.cc/qhtZFYPX)
Very Nice Chen.
Beautiful, Chen!
Wonderful pics!
Yesterday, a total solar eclipse occurred in North America. Although I lived a hundred miles from the path of totality, We still got about 94% coverage.
(https://postimg.cc/kRvPBK51)
Beautiful!
I saw a total solar ecplipse in Australia. It was an amazing experience, hearing the confusion of the birds when it got darker was so much fun to experience. My atttempts to photograph the ecplipse failed miserably due to not having the right lens.
Very nice Schen. I tore apart one of my eclipse glasses and used one of the eyepieces and taped that to my iPhone to photograph the eclipse. Although the idea was brilliant the results were bad. I guess I will just have to wait until the next eclipse.
I taped a pair of cheap glasses over the lens. The images are a little blurry but it was a fun project.
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Lovely Schen. We watched it down here in Texas. Like Hannie said, amazing experience and the birds were something.
Quote from: Mhayes on March 24, 2024, 04:33:02 PMGreat Candy, I'm a big thumbs up with Hannie Dandelions are one of the first sources of pollen for bees. The sad news is if your neighbors spray theirs, bad news for the bees. I also in the back yard had some healthy clover which the bees love.
My back yard is also spray free. You know what's fun? It's fun to see just how fast dandelions grow. I can mow and 2 days later the fluffy little heads are blowing in the wind.
Now, our other flowers are waking up. First iris of spring.
Lovely irises!
(https://postimg.cc/3dwy5mDh)
They're beautiful Candice!
Thanks for sharing. Beautiful!
Very pretty Candice!
Miss living in the country, but here's what was in my backyard in the city. Not the best shot as shot through the window/screen.
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Very nice, Margie. Exciting too. I still live in the country and along my narrow road the Marsh Marigolds are in bloom like they have been for many years
(https://postimg.cc/FYWZPFZP)
Beautiful Phil!
Love the fox shot Margie! Foxes love the cities, I see them from time to time on my early morning walks in Amsterdam. One day I saw a fox being chased by a crow...
Phil, beautiful marsh marigolds! They are so beneficial for us and nature in many ways.
(https://postimg.cc/Lh6JZJgQ)
Wow!
Shujen, what a beautiful picture of the peonies! This is art that rivals a painting. Love it!
Very nice. Schen. And love the fox Margie!
Lovely Schen!
This was taken a couple of days ago. With my 360 camera.
(https://postimg.cc/4Y4tRGrJ)
Beautiful!
My irises finally start blooming.
(https://postimg.cc/F7N1CW8g)
Lovely Schen!