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
Fruit Pizza A fruit pizza representing the American Flag for July Fourth celebrations has been a family tradition for many years. Two beautiful granddaughters have started to carry on the tradition. Thought for the Day: A love for tradition has never weakened a nation, indeed it has strengthened nations in their hour of peril.Winston Churchill
Shadows Shadows was the theme for the Iowa State Fair's 2020 Photography Salon, which was also cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The virus has impacted the entire world; it has reached every nook and cranny of each person's "normal routine". Nothing is as it should be. Not that I would have entered this photo … Continue reading Shadows
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
Alone The lone chair sits on top of a hill overlooking the playground of a Tanzanian elementary school. The usual occupier of the chair is the manager of the school's lunch program, where she takes her break from the kitchen's heat. There is no other "furniture" in the area; no picnic tables, no benches, no … Continue reading Alone
High School Graduation A month later than planned, this 2020 class of high school seniors attended commencement ceremonies in their football stadium. Social distancing for the 300 students required the entire field. Each student was allowed only four guests (tickets checked at the gate) and they were assigned to certain areas of the bleachers to … Continue reading COVID Graduation
We were exploring Hadrian's Wall in northern England, the most northern border of the Roman Empire. The small town of Brampton was our destination for the night. At the outskirts of town, where the speed limit dropped from 45 to 30 km/hr, I found this sign. It had obviously been altered ... neatly, not vandalized. … Continue reading Drive Carefully
US Senior Open - 2013 This past weekend, June 11 - 14th, was the first PGA (Pro Golfers's Association) tournament held since the COVID-19 pandemic halted play three months ago. It was played without fans. The next three scheduled tournaments will also be without fans. In a typical year The Masters, US Open and PGA … Continue reading Social Distancing
30' pine tree A large pine tree on my north property line fell victim to beetles and died after a quarter century of service. By the looks of the bark, the woodpeckers must have feasted on the beetles for many years. A family work day, eight lumberjack wannabees spread over three generations, made short work … Continue reading Smores Galore!
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
Knife Sharpening A Datoga tribesman puts a fine edge on his hand made knife. He shaped the blade from scrap metal and gave it a rough sharpening. Then he heated the metal over a wooden fire, stoked red hot by hand made bellows. When the blade was red hot, he doused it with water to … Continue reading Hand Made
Crazy Address Addresses with "1/2" added to the house number are not uncommon in the old parts of large cities. Why? During the Depression, people decided to rent out half their house to make ends meet, so they divided their house into two "residences" and "1/2" was added to distinguish the two. But, this picture … Continue reading 4147 1/2
Sarasota National Cemetery The first Memorial Day (called Decoration Day) was in 1868 at Arlington National Cemetery to commemorate the sacrifices made by both sides of the Civil War. Over 620,000 men gave their life for what they believed in, a number too large to comprehend. Memorial Day became an official national holiday over 100 … Continue reading Memorial Day
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
Ooops This will be a summer to remember; COVID-19 has turned everything upside down. Things we took for granted have been closed, cancelled or removed -- even little league baseball. Parks are closed, social distancing prevents players from practicing, and games aren't scheduled to start until June 18th. Even if games are played a whole … Continue reading Darn It!
"Fetch" No matter where or how far you throw the Lab's ball she will find it and bring it back for another toss. And another ... and another ad nauseam. Throwing the ball into the lake only makes her happier. So anxious for you to throw it in the lake again, she drops the ball … Continue reading Fetch
