Gems

Yesterday it was dams, the Great Miami River, and turkey vultures.  Today it was a visit to Charleston Falls, although there wasn't a whole lot of water actually falling.  It's been pretty dry (not Colorado dry, but dry enough that we are on alert for fires), so the falls were limited to one small area . . . I did find a few other things that caught my eye, though.

When I first saw this, I wondered why somebody had put an omelet on the tree trunk.  Duh.  Some kind of fungus I assume.

I loved how the light made some of the leaves almost translucent, while others were opaque.

I'm not sure I would have spotted this female cardinal if she hadn't put on her lipstick this morning!  Sure looks like it to me . . .

Just one of the many examples of a beautiful patch of sunlight in the midst of darkness or shade.  I won't bore you by waxing poetic . . .

Here are the falls . . . see the water falling?  Nope?  You're not missing anything.  Normally there is at least a small waterfall going, but not today.  Keep looking though . . .

I don't know why these vines appeal to me, but they do.

A couple of shots of the very small trickle of water falling . . . loved the individual droplets above, plus the splash below!

My favorite shot of the day - for the shadow . . . I spent quite a bit of time at this spot.

Love the detail in the wings on this one; so intricate and delicate.

There was water, but it wasn't moving . . . I did like the reflection in this shot.

More interesting shadows . . .

The imagination must have been in overdrive . . . this stick in the water reminded me of an alligator or crocodile!  It would have fit well in my Crafty Nature post . . .

This was a first for me - taking a picture of the shadows on the water . . . I like it.

Growing up here in the Dayton area, I always thought of us as pretty much landlocked, with not much in the way of lakes, rivers, etc.  I knew about the Great Miami and a few others, but didn't realize just how much water is around us (and I don't ever remember learning about the 1913 Dayton Flood in school).  I don't know if I'm more open to learning about Dayton and its history, but I am appreciating those who made sure we have such wonderful parks and reserves to visit.  I might just end up admitting I'm loving what Dayton has to offer and embracing its nickname of The Gem City.

Parade of the Redheads

Life has been going non-stop lately, and while I have a ton of things I should be doing, today became a "Calgon, Take Me Away" Day.

Initially my plan was to spend about an hour to an hour and a half outside watching the birds and/or reading.  I stuck to that plan very nicely as the birds cooperated!  Papa Cardinal above was my first visitor, and he allowed me to photograph him for a change.

Next, I saw these sparrow on the opposite side of the feeder, and liked the image that came through.

Papa Cardinal must have told Mama Cardinal it was her turn to come pose for me.  I've seen a female cardinal a couple of times, but it's been even shyer than the males.

Went back to my chair and read for a while, and when I got up to stretch a little, I took my camera "just in case" when I peeked around the corner of the garage.  Glad I did because this guy was showing off for me!

After the woodpecker flew off, I had to check out my peonies, which are just starting to open up.  I took a few shots of them and the honeysuckle, working my way closer to the suet feeder.  When I finally took the camera off of my eye, I was shocked to see this little woodpecker busy at work within a couple of yards.

I'm having a tough time deciding if this is a Downy Woodpecker or a Hairy Woodpecker, but I'm leaning toward the Downy because of the length of the bill . . . until I see it in a different angle . . . and then I'm just as sure it's the Hairy Woodpecker!

My flamboyant friend returned and showed off a while longer.  Have I created a situation where birds fly in for their portrait sessions?  He seemed to have enjoyed showing himself off from all angles (there are a whole lot more that I didn't share!).

After I came inside from birding and reading, my original plan was to get some cleaning done, along with some laundry.  But, when I checked the mail and saw a movie from Netflix, that agenda changed.  The movie was "The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo" and I'd been wanting to see it for a while.  Knowing the next couple of days are going to be super hectic, I figured this was the only time I'd have about 2 1/2 hours I could carve out to watch it.  So, I did.

It certainly was an extreme contrast to the colorful outdoor experience I'd just had!  I've read all 3 of the books, and have seen all 3 of the Swedish version movies, and I'm leaning toward them as the better movies.

Now it's getting on toward the evening, and I'm feeling much more relaxed.  I'm glad I took some Calgon time for myself.  Now I think I can manage to squeeze in some of that cleaning and laundry before I go to bed and get up and start going, going, going tomorrow.

Thank you, my red fine feathered friends!  You certainly helped me chill out and relax so I can knock a few more things off my to-do list.

Turtle, Take 2

I've been playing turtle again . . . pulling into my shell and not coming out for anybody.  It was only for one day, and I feel better for having done so.  I needed that day to process the bad news that I am STILL unemployed. I thought for sure I was getting this job.  Nope.  I did find out today that it was a very difficult decision for them, and that they really liked me and my qualifications; I kind of figured that out when the recruiter called to let me down, and practically begged me to keep in touch with him.  Regardless, it hurt.  And it hurt pretty badly.  The worst it's been since I've been looking for a job.  So, yeah, I took a day of being a turtle to work through it and accept it.


Today probably would have been a good day to be a turtle, but for a completely different reason!  I went to Aullwood Garden MetroPark today after visiting with Mom.  I was trying to be economical with time and gas since I had to be back at the Village for a seminar on Alzheimer's at 6:30 and it was about 4:00 when I left there.  Aullwood and Englewood are the closest MetroParks to the Village, and both are also close to one of my favorite fast food places, Hot Head Burrito (dinner!!).  So off I went to discover new and exciting sights.

This extremely large tree section was one of the first things I saw on the trail.  I wish I'd had a macro lens to REALLY get in close.

Love the look of the moss growing on the tree trunks.

 I was tempted to take off my socks and shoes and dip my toes in, but didn't dare!  I love the light reflections.

I know this guy is a cardinal!  Whew, one I recognize (and could recognize a bunch of them singing most of the time I was walking the trail). 

I don't know what this is, but I thought it was interesting.  Couldn't get all that close, or you know there would be some funky super close-up!

I tried this pic with the funky branch as the focal point as well, but I like this one better!  (FYI, funky is my word for today.)

Need help from my friend Jenny at I'd Rather Be Birding!, but I believe the bird above is a Vireo, and the one below is an Indigo Bunting.  If I'm correct, today was the first time I saw either one, ever!!  Jenny knows how exciting that is.

There's a moth "hiding" in the flowers.  Every time I moved to try to get a better shot, it would counter-move!  I guess it's used to stalkers?

I don't know what this is, but every time I see it, I think of the Crown of Thorns . . . and yet that's a plant that doesn't look anything like this.

Not sure what this is either, but thought it was pretty . . .

I liked the tiny bloom unfolding after most of the other buds had opened.

It's hard to tell, but this plant was growing in the middle of the creek.  One more thing I didn't have a clue about!

I liked taking pictures of the creek today (be glad I'm not sharing but a few with you; I took a LOT).

I thought these fungi were interesting, growing in the cleft of the tree.  I also liked the bark of the tree.

Empty benches are yet one more visual I have a "thing" for.  I'm not sure if it's because they seem a bit lonely, or if they're calling me to sit and relax.

Extreme close up of some clover (pretty good size clover).

Crazy, but I am fascinated with this hollowed out log!  For one thing, it's HUGE.  I love seeing how it has weathered over the years, along with the natural swirls and curves and growth rings from when it was alive.


So, why would TODAY have been a good day to be a turtle?  I enjoyed ambling through Aullwood, and I think it would have been nice to have gone even slower (possibly sighting MORE birds) and stayed all day.  I was also fascinated with the creek, the light reflecting on the creek, the rushing water, and the plants/algae growing in the creek.  There were several times I thought it would be nice to be floating down the creek . . . I think by slowing down, I appreciated the beauty around me a little more today, too.  Focusing on God's creation instead of my own sorry little mess of a life can do that to a person.

Sweetest Day

I had a feeling it was going to be a great day when I started on my morning walk . . . well, after I turned around and got my cell phone that I'd left on the charger.  I'd decided to take my camera with me to get pics of the "new" elementary school that took the place of two schools I'd gone to.  I was looking all around me as I made the trek, and found a few interesting things to photograph!

We're just getting to the end of April, and here come the pine cones!  That just messes with my sensibilities somehow.

This reminded me of a miniature wreath . . . Christmas in APRIL????

A couple of Irises almost ready to bloom!  This is so strange to have the plants so far along already.

I thought this was a funny angle . . . perspective IS important.

This is the new school.  It combined two elementary schools that were back to back.  I went to 2nd and 3rd grade in one, then 4th-6th in the other.  With the fencing, and the cupola, I think it looks more like a prison than an elementary school!

I love construction equipment, and this particular piece had some interesting shapes to it!

I think there is something drastically wrong with the next three pictures.  It's getting close to the end of April, when most kids are more than ready to be playing outside, yet the playground at the school is off limits.  The old playground has been torn down, but the kids can't use this lovely equipment!  I can only assume it's a liability issue since no protective/cushioning cover has been put down around and under the equipment.  I think somebody messed up their planning BIG TIME.

I liked this tree stump . . . it has the weathered and aged, interesting character look to it.

 

This house is where I attended first grade.  Back in the day, there were so many elementary school age kids that we didn't have enough schools to house them all.  So, the builder of all of the homes in the community offered the school system the use of homes for kids to attend first grade for a rental rate of $1/year each.  The houses were modified slightly to be able to accommodate approximately 25-30 students.  Many of us walked home for lunch because the only other option was to bring our own - no cafeteria here!  It was a great experience since kindergarten was not required at that time.

I got a nice 2 mile walk, some interesting pictures, plus a trip down memory lane (remembered where several friends lived when we were in school as I walked by them, and then some of the fun stuff we did).  Then I got home to find the animals ready to entertain me!  The squirrel cracked me up with the way he was perched there on the end of a branch; he kept looking for something, but I never figured out what it was.

I don't know why, but I haven't noticed many robins the last few springs.  This isn't the first one I've seen this spring, but it's the first one I was able to get a shot of.  I did finally see a blue jay in the redbud tree, but I didn't have my camera with me.  :-(

Then, just as I was thinking about getting up and going inside, a minor miracle occurred.  A red bellied woodpecker flew onto the redbud tree, closely followed by a beautiful cardinal!  It's not clear as I'd like, but I managed to get a picture with BOTH of them in it.

The icing on the cake?  When visiting Mom today, it was a pretty darn good visit.  She was joking around and laughing.  It's so wonderful to have those kinds of visits.  More icing on the cake?  I spent the evening with friends, talking and laughing and having a great time.  It's definitely been my sweetest day so far this week (and maybe this month).