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Though she was napping away from the nest when I arrived, she was close by, as was dad. They hooted back and forth a few times. She flew away for a bit and then came back and fed lunch. Then here, it looked like she was going to keep an eye on things while they hunkered down and had a snooze.
I've neglected something essential to my existence, as though I had forgotten to wake up :-)
Robert Mapplethorpe
HFF! Truth Matters!
rose, 'Day Breaker', little theater rose garden, raleigh, north carolina
Though I don't have a large variety of spiders this year, I do have a few of the ones I did get.
HA2
Thanks for Viewing.
Though it's high summer rather than Christmas-time in the photo.
A view of Porth Nefyn and its beautiful bay from just above the village, with the peaks of Yr Eifl (The Rivals) in the distance.
Though the sun is shining at the moment, this winter seems to have been a long, very wet and certainly very windy one (still 35 mph gusts this morning).
So I've pulled this out of my Flickr possibles folder to get a dose of sun & warmth, if only by proxy!
This field with the crop taken over by poppies was just out of Alnwick (marked as Harlaw Hill on the OS map) and the view is towards Alnwick Moor with the Golf Ball visible of the skyline.
Willow Warbler - Phylloscopus trochilus
It is a bird of open woodlands with trees and ground cover for nesting, including most importantly birch, alder, and willow habitats. The nest is usually built in close contact with the ground, often in low vegetation. Like most Old World warblers (Sylviidae), this small passerine is insectivorous. In northern Europe, it is one of the first warblers to return in the spring though is later than the closely related chiffchaff.
It is a typical leaf warbler in appearance, 11–12.5 cm long and 7–15 g weight. It is greenish brown above and off-white to yellowish below; the wings are plain greenish-brown with no wingbars. Juveniles are yellower below than adults. It is very similar to the chiffchaff, but non-singing birds can be distinguished from that species by their paler pinkish-yellow legs (dark brown to blackish in chiffchaff), longer paler bill, more elegant shape and longer primary projection (wingtip). Its song is a simple repetitive descending whistle, while the contact call is a disyllabic 'hoo-eet', distinct from the more monosyllabic 'hweet' of chiffchaffs.
Willow warblers prefer young, open, scrubby woodland with small trees, including human-altered habitats such as coppice and young plantations up to 10–20 years old. High amounts of birch, alder and willow, with good lichen amounts, and water features (e.g. streams), fields with large amounts of bracken and mosses, and patches of low bramble (for nest cover) are preferred, but it will use a wide range of other species, including young or open coniferous forests. Incorporating woodland ride edge thickets is beneficial, as is 15 metre woodland edges of varying structure and height. They prefer damp woodland areas. Thicket forming shrubs like blackthorn provide pockets of habitat. Deer browsing can degrade the required low cover.
Even though it often feels wrong or unimportant, it’s ok to pause, to inhale and exhale a little more slowly and deeply, to truly see and take note of your surroundings, finding beauty and peace in the details of God’s creation around you. Your circumstances are incredibly challenging and you are worthy of taking these moments to care for yourself. Only then, after tending to your own needs, will you be able to care for others in a healthy way.
___________________
A few days ago I was struggling a lot with my own intense mental health struggles in addition to the stress and fear of my husband’s health struggles and recent hospitalization. Somehow I found the strength to spend some time outside capturing the beauty I saw in the fog and frost that was visible through the windows that morning—it seemed to tell an important, uplifting story that helped me continue pressing on.
Today was the last day of the hibiscus bush in front of my house. I'm re-landscaping around my house (that I bought last year), and the hibiscus was intergrown with another bush that I really didn't like. And the fact that I didn't really like the color (hence all the false color shots of hibiscus flowers) meant that it had to go. I had a moment of silence for it today, as I don't like to kill anything (and it seemed a really healthy bush). It will live on, though, as I took some cuttings last fall and at least one seems to be doing quite well. (For those curious about whether this shot looks familiar - yes, it's the same shot as Always Remember That Which Brought You Joy, but with different colors.)
I plan to get a new hibiscus. But this time I think I'll go with red.
Well, thanks for looking. And, as always, comments are always appreciated.
Though we don’t have a huge variety of species of hummingbirds in the United States, we do have some pretty neat looking ones. We were fortunate to see several species of hummingbirds on our recent Arizona trip including the one that I think is my personal favorite for the USA; the Broad-billed Hummingbird. I always though this bird should have had a flashier name, considering other hummingbird names I have seen. I mean, it does have a pretty cool looking beak but with all that color, the broad-bill just isn’t the standout feature to me. Hey, what do I know? Anyway, I hope you enjoy this beauty at least half as much as I did.
_MG_1730-web
Cynanthus latirostris
28th June 2017:
Felt as though I was getting a sore throat last night and knew I was this morning - ouch. With paracetamol and throat lozenges at hand I got as far as this garden to take something for today.
Luckily for me it rained most of the night and part of today, but the sun came out and made the raindrops sparkle.
I wasn't going to try for a closer photo, hadn't got the energy, but for what it's worth it's SOOC.
Better viewed large and thank you for your favourites. :O)
yet almost nothing.
Beside me
the gray sea
was opening and shutting its wave-doors,
unfolding over and over
its time-ridiculing roar;
I looked but I couldn't see anything
through its dark-knit glare;
yet don't we all know, the golden sand
is there at the bottom,
though our eyes have never seen it,
nor can our hands ever catch it
Mary Oliver
Though often mistaken for an owl, the tawny frogmouth belongs to the Nightjar family.
The tawny frogmouth has excellent camouflage. Helped by the colours of its feathers, these birds stay perfectly still and tilt their heads upright, making them hard to see among tree branches.
Tawny frogmouths wait for their prey to come to them, rather than seeking out their food. Once their prey is in sight, tawny frogmouths pounce down from their tree branch. Prey includes insects, frogs and other small animals.
A gate though a wall made of volcanic stones leads into pastures on a hillside above the villages of Feteira and Serretinha on Teiceira. Offshore the Ilhéu das Cabras (Goat Island) is visible. This island (actually 2 islands) is the remains of a submarine volcano which created a tuff cone that protudes from the ocean. Much of Terceira is broken up into small plots of cultivated ground and pastures by innumerable stone fences which crisscross the island. Lush green vegetation covers the hilly volcanic terrain. The rock used to build the walls and the older farm structures came from farmers clearing the fields.
Even though the day was dreary, beautiful Loch Lomond beckoned the intrepid tourist in spite of the rain.
"Some people walk in the rain, others just get wet."
~ Roger Miller
"If ye canna see the bright side o' life, polish the dull side."
~ Christina Dodd
Though it appears to be laughing, in reality the gull was panting under 40C on the beach, to keep itself cool. While in Durham, North Carolina, I woke up early one morning and drove for two hours and half to get to Wrightsville Beach by the Atlantic Coast to see birds that we don't usually get in the great lake region. I wasn't disappointed, I managed to see three life birds after walking on the sandy beach area for three hours. Altogether I got to see 25 different species of birds including a whole bunch of these gulls at varying level of maturity. I was totally exhausted towards the end, but it was worth it. Mason Inlet Waterbird Management Area; Wrightsville Beach, NC, USA.
Though shadows fall
Still the stars find their way...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=dlBvKzc8Odo
From Virtual Worlds Collection - Hoelbrak - Guild Wars 2
Even though we stopped feeding the deer, they still hang around hoping we will change our mind. Now they nibble on our shrubs and cedar trees.
NOTE:
I am going to be less active on flickr for awhile. We are in the beginning process of downsizing and selling our home. Our intention is to buy a smaller home with more amenities, close by, in another community. Right now we are preparing the house for viewing. I will keep you posted as to our progress. Hopefully it all goes smoothly!
Do you know that small children often ask the grown-ups to see what they drew or gathered? "Look! Look!" That is how I feel at the moment. On a fine autumn Sunday I could take a few photos which I like very much.
Even though our fast little friend isn't side-facing, I really loved showing off the iridescent green against the purple flowers he was feeding on.
Even though it was white and bright everywhere I am glad that we left it behind and are having warmer days now.
Large view is better.
Many thanks to all those who view, fav or comment my pictures. I very much appreciate it.
Though I do have technologically advanced cameras, I tend to prefer older cameras (all these are second-hand cameras with a 16MP sensor) and use them manually. I am not rejecting technological excellence and sophisticated algorithms. All I am saying is that I have more joy when working manually and that Fuji's old 16MP sensor is really good enough for my purposes. This shot was done with my new (ten year old) Fuji X-Pro1.
Earl and Daryl have definitely been here. The owner of this barn stated that some of the old weathered wood was rotting and asked the boys to fix it up.
Earl and Daryl decided to cover the beautiful weathered wood with old, left over corrugated metal panels instead. They didn’t even finish the job. The owners are complaining that on windy nights they have to wear ear plugs. Apparently the sound is like thunder produced on a B Horror Movie. What a shame. The wood would have been so attractive. They haven’t messed with the fences yet though, so HFF
Though our day in the Lakes was a largely fine one, the previous few days had been very wet. As a result our walk-in along the River Glenderamackin before heading up to Bannerdale Crags & then Bowscale Fell was more suited to waders than to walking boots,
The path in the top right is our (dry) return path which drops down from the Bannerdale Crags/Bowscale Fell 'plateau' skirting The Tongue (seen in the previous upload flic.kr/p/2qxXPZY).
My last mountain walk on my original left knee. I had a total knee replacement on Tuesday, so no mountain (or even dog) walking for a while!
Though just one of hundreds of surviving temples, Angkor Wat is the most iconic and most photographed. It is also one of the largest religious monuments ever constructed. Its 65-meter central tower is surrounded by four smaller towers and a series of enclosure walls. Climbing the central tower for a view of the surrounding area is quite an experience!
Though nothing can bring back the hour
Of splendour in the grass, of glory in the flower,
We will grieve not, rather find
Strength in what remains behind
------ William Wordsworth
I first photographed this old farm building in February, so this past weekend it seemed like visiting an old friend. I was amused to find when I looked at the old shot I'd posted that I'd chosen the same composition both times despite taking lots of angles.
Click on the one taken in the winter (in the first comment below) if you want to read the interesting history of the building.
Even though the sun in winter may be weaker, it still covered everything in a clear brightness which shimmered and sparkled all around.
These are the Opalesque Eyes from Petrichor, out at the Midnight Order
Sparrowhawk - Accipiter Nisus
Though it is a predator which specialises in catching woodland birds, the Eurasian sparrowhawk can be found in any habitat and often hunts garden birds in towns and cities. Males tend to take smaller birds, including tits, finches, and sparrows; females catch primarily thrushes and starlings, but are capable of killing birds weighing 500 g (18 oz) or more.
The Eurasian sparrowhawk is found throughout the temperate and subtropical parts of the Old World; while birds from the northern parts of the range migrate south for winter, their southern counterparts remain resident or make dispersive movements. Eurasian sparrowhawks breed in suitable woodland of any type, with the nest, measuring up to 60 cm (2.0 ft) across, built using twigs in a tree. Four or five pale blue, brown-spotted eggs are laid; the success of the breeding attempt is dependent on the female maintaining a high weight while the male brings her food. The chicks hatch after 33 days and fledge after 24 to 28 days.
The probability of a juvenile surviving its first year is 34%, with 69% of adults surviving from one year to the next. Mortality in young males is greater than that of young females and the typical lifespan is four years. This species is now one of the most common birds of prey in Europe, although the population crashed after the Second World War. Organochlorine insecticides used to treat seeds before sowing built up in the bird population, and the concentrations in Eurasian sparrowhawks were enough to kill some outright and incapacitate others; affected birds laid eggs with fragile shells which broke during incubation. However, its population recovered after the chemicals were banned, and it is now relatively common, classified as being of Least Concern by BirdLife International.
The Eurasian sparrowhawk's hunting behaviour has brought it into conflict with humans for hundreds of years, particularly racing pigeon owners and people rearing poultry and gamebirds. It has also been blamed for decreases in passerine populations. The increase in population of the Eurasian Sparrowhawk coincides with the decline in House Sparrows in Britain. Studies of racing pigeon deaths found that Eurasian sparrowhawks were responsible for less than 1%. Falconers have utilised the Eurasian sparrowhawk since at least the 16th century; although the species has a reputation for being difficult to train, it is also praised for its courage. The species features in Teutonic mythology and is mentioned in works by writers including William Shakespeare, Alfred, Lord Tennyson and Ted Hughes.
Male Eurasian sparrowhawks regularly kill birds weighing up to 40 g (1.4 oz) and sometimes up to 120 g (4.2 oz); females can tackle prey up to 500 g (18 oz) or more. The weight of food consumed by adult birds daily is estimated to be 40–50 g (1.4–1.8 oz) for males and 50–70 g (1.8–2.5 oz) for females. During one year, a pair of Eurasian sparrowhawks could take 2,200 house sparrows, 600 common blackbirds or 110 wood pigeons. Species that feed in the open, far from cover, or are conspicuous by their behaviour or coloration, are taken more often by Eurasian sparrowhawks. For example, great tits and house sparrows are vulnerable to attack. Eurasian sparrowhawks may account for more than 50% of deaths in certain species, but the extent varies from area to area.
Males tend to take tits, finches, sparrows and buntings; females often take thrushes and starlings. Larger quarry (such as doves and magpies) may not die immediately but succumb during feather plucking and eating. More than 120 bird species have been recorded as prey and individual Eurasian sparrowhawks may specialise in certain prey. The birds taken are usually adults or fledglings, though chicks in the nest and carrion are sometimes eaten. Small mammals, including bats, are sometimes caught but insects are eaten only very rarely.
Though it's 60 degrees down here in Maryland it's apparently winter. Other than last week, I can't think of a time I've been able to take pictures of Canvasback wearing just a t-shirt.
Aythya valisineria
- Cambridge, Maryland- USA
And though the course may change sometimes
Rivers always reach the sea ....
The River Severn, the longest river in the UK, takes its rise nine miles to the west of Llanidloes high up on the slopes of Pumlumon, the highest point in the central range of the Cambrian Mountains. The Roman name for the Severn (the Hafren in Welsh) was Sabrina, and ancient myth tells Sabrina was one of three sisters, all water nymphs, who met on Pen Pumlumon to discuss how they might wend their way to the sea. Each sister took a different route, Ystwyth to the west and Varga (the Wye) away to the south, while Sabrina who loved the land, set out on a slow meandering course that led her far into the east. The spirit of Sabrina still resides in the sparkling waters of the river and nowhere is her benevolent presence more apparent than here, where she first set forth upon her long journey to the sea.
~ Ten Years Gone ~
as though I had forgotten to wake up. I know that the accident of my being a photographer has made my life possible :-)
Richard Avedon
Peace Now!
prunus mume, white japanese flowering apricot, 'Tojibai', j c raulston arboretum, ncsu, raleigh, north carolina
.. though--the stars are like the trees in the forest,
alive and breathing. And they're watching me.
Haruki Murakami
Topaz Studio
© ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. Use without permission is illegal.
Please, don't fave and run, you will get yourself blocked.
Though the sky was dreary and not very promising for sunset photos we stuck it out until the very end. This proves one should never give up on the image until the bitter end!
Given the Beauty of this Flower and its Visitor, clearly the Devil lost! The ancient story goes that the vernacular name of Succisella inflexa, Southern Devil's Bit (Morsus diaboli), goes back on the enmity between the Devil and Beneficial Nature. Our Scabious once in the dawn of humanity was a Heal-All, much to the dismay of the Devil who sought only anguish for humankind. Out of pure spite he bit off the main part of Scabious's root - regard its shallow rooting today - hoping the plant would die. Hence 'Devil's Bit'. Of course, Succisella didn't die but it did lose its healing powers. In compensation it remained attractive and beautiful, full of Plenty for myriad insects among which Butterflies and also this marvelous Hoverfly.
Belted Flyer. Volucella zonaria, by the standard of Hoverfly sizes, is very large; it measures about 2.5 cm (=almost an inch) compared to the 2-3 mm (.09 inch) of the smallest ones. And Zonaria's color is striking as well, very orange-yellow, mimicking a Hornet. So often it's called the Hornet Hoverfly. Entirely harmless, though; not a devil at all in her!
I returned to Yearsley Woods today in the hope of dryer conditions... though was thwarted. Even so there was enough brightness around to help me select this composition where the larches are brighter than the foreground woodland creating what I think is a nice window onto the vibrant yellows and oranges of the larch.
overcast and rainy. suddenly as though the sun was making a giant statement, there it was beaming from the clouds. it was an amazing sight that i couldn't recreate or duplicate on my own. not even in my photoshop.
Though photographed in Brazil, this striking raptor is the same species found in the southern U.S., particularly Texas and Florida. The Crested Caracara belongs to the falcon family, but its bold stature and soaring flight often lead people to mistake it for a hawk. Unlike typical falcons, it often scavenges like a vulture, foraging on carrion as well as hunting small animals, making it a fascinating blend of predator and opportunist.
Ain’t no hawk, it’s a caracara,
Wears the dust like it's mascara.
Ain’t no drama, no curtain call
Just dines on the dead in a free-for-all.
Looks like a hawk, eats like a vulture,
Caracara ain’t got no culture.
Though I think not
To think about it,
I do think about it
And shed tears
Thinking about it.
~Ryokan
Happy Bokeh Wednesday! Back later to check your streams.
Thank you for Explore!
Though this past year has been most hectic, I feel so blessed to open yet a new chapter of my life as 2016 begins.
Warm wishes to all for an even more exciting year!!
though I knew there was something wrong
And the feeling had me oh so strong about you
Then you gazed up at me and the answer was plain to see
'Cause I saw the light in your eyes
Even though I posted this on Friday, I am dedicating this to Rainey www.flickr.com/photos/raineys/ who truly is my Little Angel for being a caring and understanding friend. Special and talented people like Rainey come rarely into someone's life.
Please do not use this image on websites, blogs or any other media without my explicit permission. © All rights reserved