Ice Covered Tree After a cold dreary yesterday with freezing rain overnight, a bright sunny morning provided a visual treat. Thought for the Day: Some old -fashioned things like fresh air and sunshine are hard to beat.Laura Ingalls Wilder
Category: Nature
Mule Deer Ever seen such big ears!? This mule deer doe must have sensed I was no threat, her fear instinct did not overtake her curiosity. But, she was cautious, only allowing one camera shot before returning to her breakfast. Even though she wasn't looking at me while grazing, her ears always pointed in my … Continue reading Big Ears
Milkweed Seeds The milkweed seed pods are finally drying out, opening and letting the wind spread their seeds far and wide. Fine "hair" on the seeds blowing in the wind reminded me of fireworks. Thought for the Day: We have two ears and one mouth so that we can listen twice as much as we … Continue reading Milkweed Fireworks
Bee on Aster The New England Aster is beautiful, but patience is required to see it. It doesn't bloom until October. With the exception of the Mum, most every other flower in the garden has lost its bloom. I like the Aster because it attracts the bees, probably their last easy meal for awhile. The … Continue reading New England Aster
Young Doe I was surprised as she was. Our eyes met simultaneously and the realization of what we saw froze us both. The young doe seemed more curious than afraid, no flight instinct was apparent. She just stood there while I took several pictures, as if modeling for the paparazzi. After a while she sauntered … Continue reading Oh! Deer Me!
Musk Thistle Late summer, the beautiful Musk Thistle appears in pastures and road sides. The hummingbirds love it, the farmers hate it. It is considered a noxious weed. Contrary to popular belief, the Musk Thistle is not poisonous to cattle. The main beef (pun intended) against the Musk thistle is its thorny stalk and spiked … Continue reading Thistle
Snapping Turtle The oldest and largest Common Snapping Turtle in the world resides at the Schramm Educational Center south of Gretna, NE. Over 80 years old and weighing 95 lbs, he is a crowd pleaser at feeding time. As ferocious as he looks, a head scratch from his handler is always welcome. Thought for the … Continue reading Big Snapper
Shades of Green This shaded part of the yard gets very little direct sunlight. The early morning light allows the ivy to glow among the other shades of green. Thought for the Day: I awoke, only to see that the rest of the world is still asleep.Leonardo da Vinci
Bzzzzzzzz Just watching a bee for a short while will make you tired. Never staying in one place too long, wings working faster than 1,000 beats per second and bouncing from one flower to the next, the bee is always in motion. Observe a bee for a short time and the phrase "busy as a … Continue reading Busy Bee
Wasp The blooming flowers are attracting a lot of pollinators. This particular wasp seemed to be more attracted to the wet leaves than the blooming cone flowers near by. Thought for the Day: Luck is what happens when preparation meets opportunity.Seneca
Tranquility As if the only creature on earth, the pelican floats along with the current without a care in the world. No worries. Thought for the Day: The world turns aside to let any man pass who knows where he is going.Epictetus
Bluejay Chick This young Bluejay was found on a plant stand just off the deck adjacent to a well traveled walk way. I had passed it twice before noticing it. It didn't mind my presence; I went about my business assuming it would take flight before I could get a picture. With camera in hand, … Continue reading Bluejay Chick
Butterfly Rest Stop First of July and the butterfly garden looks to be in good shape. In full bloom are Gaillardia (yellow), miniature Cone Flower (pink) and Soapwort (white), commonly called "Bouncing Betty". Behind these colorful perennials are Common Milkweed, where Monarch Butterfly lay their eggs. Also, Goldenrod, Nebraska's state flower, and giant Sunflower. I'm … Continue reading Butterfly Garden
On Watch Zebras have keen eyesight. You often see them in pairs looking in opposite directions on the "Endless Plain" of the Serengeti, keeping an eye out for predators as the rest of the herd grazes. By comparison, wildebeest have poor eyesight so they travel along with the zebra for protection. Wildebeest have a knack … Continue reading Striped Sentries
Three Hungry Chicks Robins are either very trusting birds or stupid. They build nests in obvious places, not very well hidden and easily accessible to predators. This one built a nest on the cross beam above our deck, allowing us to sit in our easy chairs and watch it all day long. Mama Robin worked … Continue reading Feeding Time
Bull Elk Morning was almost gone on this sunny day in late May. The bull elk was laying in a bed of wild flowers enjoying the cool breeze. This image is one frame of a video I took that day. Software is so sophisticated you can advance the video one frame at a time, so … Continue reading Velvet
Vulture on Zebra Carcass While on safari in Tanzania, the scenes and songs from the movie, "Lion King" often popped into my head. But none more than the lyrics of "The Circle of Life". Some say eat or be eaten Some say live and let live But all are agreed as they join the stampede … Continue reading Circle of Life
Marabou Stork Storks enjoyed a favorable connotation when I was a kid. The myth about the stork delivering babies was known world wide, and illustrations always presented them pleasantly; i.e. happy, friendly, trustworthy, reliable, etc. That reputation was shattered when I met the Marabou Stork in its natural habitat -- the local garbage dump in … Continue reading Marabou Stork
Cheetah and Cubs A four-month old cub stands watch as Mom and sibling enjoy the rump of a freshly killed wildebeest. This was observed by over a dozen safari trucks parked in a semi-circle about 30 yards away. Safari drivers share information about major animal sightings, and cooperate in "circling the wagons" to provide good … Continue reading Wildebeest Feast
Roaring Forks Falls The Smoky Mountains NP has over 2,900 miles of clear mountain streams, which are fed from over 85" of annual rainfall in the higher elevations. The steep mountain sides create roaring streams with hundreds of water falls. Books are written about the top 50 falls, most scenic, tallest, etc. Roaring Forks Falls … Continue reading White Water
