Wandering around the wooded, marshy area, I came across a unique turtle. From my research, I believe the turtle is a Blanding’s Turtle. I am still researching the endangered turtle. As I find more information, I will share.
Until next time….peace
I know this is a common weed around here. But I find the thistle to be uniquely beautiful. I always get helpful suggestions that I should cut them down along the edge of the property. In my opinion, the flowering thistle is not harming anyone. I know the bees like them. So I just leave the plant alone.
Until next time….peace
In mid-Michigan, the last couple of days has been warm. I mean, the state is being declared a moderate drought zone. Now normally, I don’t mind the heat. But, the added humidity just seems to drain all my energy. So, I have been rather….lazy. Well, lazy for me.
Spending most of my days indoors with the comfort of the fans. I don’t have air conditioning which is an investment I may have to make at some point. I have managed to catch up on some social media networking and writing. And, I even picked up a book for some afternoon reading. So, I guess the warmer days have some benefits. I don’t really want to complain. Because I know in a few months, we will have snow.
But toward the evening hours, I tend to wander outdoors. The one aspect I have noticed, the wildlife seem to be having lazy summer days too. The bullfrogs float in the shallow water along the creek bed’s edge.
I have spotted turtles just lazily floating along. Diving down for a quick cool off and coming back up to the surface to float again.
The forecast is calling for continuous warm days with a chance for a rain shower at some point. I am absolutely convinced if a rain shower occurs, I will be outdoors standing in the middle of the downpour.
Until next time…..peace
When I am out walking, my mind tends to wander. I wonder what lives in the hollow of the trees, under the lily pads, and beneath the natural debris on the woodland floor. I photograph different areas to use as inspiration for my stories.
Earlier I watched lily pads move in the opposite direction of the wind. I, of course, imagined water fairies playing or gnomes skipping along the large leaves. In reality, the lily pads were moving along due to five little baby ducks swimming around underneath.
I assume the little ducks were hiding from predators. Or perhaps, they were just trying to get some shade from the hot afternoon sun. In any case, I really enjoyed spending time watching the little ducks swim between the lily pads.
Anyways, the little ducks provided me with the inspiration I needed to continue working on my book.
Until next time….peace
What can I say? Some evenings the mere glimpse of the sunset fills me with love, peace and a sense of joy. Tonight was no exception, the warm Michigan air seemed to help illuminate the emerging night sky.
As nature’s colors shined brightly through the treeline, I found myself transfixed. Yes, I still took over a hundred pictures of the sky and surrounding area. But for a moment, I just stood there. The moment was just magical. The fireflies flew about, the birds sang their chorus with the crickets and the frogs, and I just loved the moment.
With all the deadlines and hustle and bustle of the daily demands, taking the time to watch a sunset should be mandatory.
Until next time….peace
I find nature both amazing and intimidating at times. I cannot enter into a wildlife area without seeing something new. During this time of year, I tend to spot first-time blooms. The wild Iris flowers offer a beautiful site among the greenery.
The hatching of a new batch of dragonflies. Every time I see dragonflies flying just above the tall weeds in the field, I imagine fairies lurking about watching me photograph the natural scenes.
Two days ago, I came across a new site in the deeper part of the woods. Usually, the area is still under water this time of year. The Maple River cuts off and runs into the back creek. The warm weather caused the water to dry up faster. Certain areas are still damp and mushy. Yes, mushy is my new word of the day. In any event, the water snails had nowhere to go for water. They attempted to “climb” the trees which were still very moist from being underwater. Unfortunately, without the correct amount of water the snails died. Leaving only their shells behind on the trees. Yes, I know they are not technically called water snails. I am not certain of their correct name. I just found the site of the snails interesting and sad. They were just searching for water.
I hope everyone finds nature as intriguing as I do.
Until next time, peace…..
With the news of a loved one passing away, family members and friends always share memories. The stories help celebrate the life of the person who has left us. After 47 years of marriage, my aunt laid the love her life, my uncle to rest. The stories of his life came from a variety of sources, family, friends, and co-workers. Laughing at the funny stories, the grief of his passing left for an instant.
My uncle was a U.S. Army veteran who received the Purple Heart. And, yes, the playing of Taps at the funeral left no one with a dry eye. I believed my uncle to be a simple man. He worked all of his life in a small factory to support his family. He enjoyed fishing, collecting golf balls (50,000) and vintage record players.
Now, what does his passing have to do with a raccoon? Well, my uncle would sit down on the river flats. While spending hours fishing, he would feed the raccoons. According to the stories, the little pesky creatures would come right up to him and take the food from his hands.
Now, I know logically the raccoon that visited me has no connection with my uncle’s passing. Where I live raccoons are a common sighting, they have been in my bird feeders and frequently play on my porch. (Generally in the middle of the night when I am trying to sleep, I convinced they are having a gathering right under my bedroom window).
The night before my uncle’s funeral, I went to let one my cats in the front door. I was not paying attention which is often my own undoing. My old Siamese cat moves at a slower pace. I got a glimpse of a second animal trailing behind him. Assuming the animal was another one of my cats I held the door open. At that moment, my little dog let out a growl. Glancing back down, the second animal about to enter my door way was a raccoon. Of course, I quickly shut the door. I can just imagine the chaos the little raccoon would create upon entering my house.
Staring up at me, the little raccoon just sat in front of the closed door. Locating some old bread, I threw out the pieces to him (or her I really don’t have the knowledge to tell). I am not brave enough to get closer to the raccoon. The pesky little raccoon may look cute, however; the animal is still a wild creature. Anyways, the entire incident made me think of my uncle.
Now, I have shared my story.
Until next time….peace….
“Each moment of the year
has its own beauty”
Ralph Waldo Emerson
Even though, I have no way of knowing what Ralph Waldo Emerson was doing when he penned this quote. I would like to think he was observing nature. Knowing that each individual moment was a chance to be inspired by the natural environment.
I cannot write any type of poetry. But I do love to observe nature. Despite the newest mosquito invasion, I could actually get lost for hours watching the birds, Cranes and Egrets down on the river flats. Witnessing wildlife interact in a natural setting is a gift.
I hope everyone has a chance to enjoy nature in the purest form.
Until next time….peace
I have been enjoying time away from my computer. Oh, don’t get me wrong I am still meeting my article deadlines. My editor would not be happy with me if I work was not in on time. But I have also been enjoying the warm weather. One great aspect about this time of year is all the babies.
But I have also been outdoors more enjoying the warm weather. With combating the weeds and viewing the everything nature has to offer, I just seem to lose track of time. One great aspect about this time of year is all the babies.
One great aspect about this time of year is all the babies.
Baby birds, ducks, and geese are easily viewable.
And, the tadpoles are so much fun to watch along the water’s edge.
I have not been able to spot any baby deer yet. I have three does who visit my yard every night. I can tell, they are very pregnant. So, I am hoping I will soon see a couple of fawns.
Until next time…peace
The strange weather has been the topic here in mid-Michigan the last few days. The below normal temperatures are preventing farmers from getting their fields planted.
Yesterday began with rain and ended with rain. The extra rain keeps the fields very wet. But, there were moments of sunshine in between. My yard is starting to resemble a small lake. At least, all the wildlife are enjoying the extra ponds. The birds were out bathing themselves and searching for food.
The sun was out for most of the day today. As the evening began to usher in, the temperatures dropped, the wind picked up and the rain returned. Tomorrow, I cannot believe the forecast….rain with a chance of snow mixed in. Is it really May? Of course, it is Michigan. We all should be use to the changing weather by now.
Until next time…peace
Rebecca's Vintage and Wildlife Photography 