Many new arrivals...

...create lots of photo opportunities. Today was a "play day" shared with my friend Diane. We left home early to allow us lots of time for exploring. Our destination was Cooperstown, New York and a visit to the Fenimore Art Museum, which is where James Fenimore Cooper, the novelist grew up. The collection is an outstanding one which includes paintings by Thomas Cole, Gilbert Stuart, Benjamin West, Eastman Johnson, Grandma Moses and many other American Artists. It is always a favorite "play day" adventure. Lunch on the shore of Otesego Lake at the Blue Mingo, was as usual, a gourmet delight. We both enjoyed a Salmon and Corn Chowder, followed by Lobster Salad Sandwich and dessert of Key Lime Custard.
After driving only a short distance, we noticed a family of Canada Geese on the banks of the West Canada Creek, which included a Male, a Female and nine Goslings. Then we stopped by a favorite water fall, on the Little Black River. The rain the day before, made the falls even more spectacular. Another family of fowl was spotted at the falls, a Female Ruffed Grouse and four chicks.
One adventure after another completed a magnificent "play day" of flora, fauna and fun.

Memorial weekend flew...

...by so quickly. Lots of work, lots of play and tender, yet sad memories.
We lost a courageous young soldier, who was a member of our parish, a few weeks ago. Blaise lost his life in Iran, fighting for ideals which he strongly believed in, and will greatly missed by all members of our community.
It was also a weekend to remember those community members and family members who fought and died or fought and lived, for freedoms we all enjoy.

It was a weekend to go to "The Sand Plains in Rome, New York" to photograph the wild blue Lupine. The sand plains are, one of a few inland Pine barrens, left in the Northeast. The threatened frosted elfin butterfly which feeds on the Lupine can also be found there.

We also had time to go kayaking in the Mountains, another one of my passions. My husband and I have been kayaking for many years. We each have an Old Town Loon kayak. My husband's kayak is 17'5" and weighs about 60 pounds. Mine is 11' 1" and weighs about 35 pounds. The one thing we enjoy most about kayaking is we play on the same team but, different positions. My husband enjoys exploring while kayaking and I prefer to photograph and spend lots of time in one area. However, we always start and end our journey together.

Ring around the rosies...

...a pocket full of posies. I have always loved that poem, and the little dance that we did, as we sang it. Last week a friend gave me a very special gift, a real pocket full of posies. She purchased the "pocketbook" which is covered with moss, and added the posies. The sweet little bluish purple pansies couldn't be prettier.
The gardens are becoming very lush. The rains and now warmer weather has everything growing, almost before my eyes. Fortunately this year I have been able to keep up with the weeding. I even started a compost bin. In the past I didn't bother doing one for fear the bears and other critters would just disturb it, but so far they haven't. In addition to clippings, weeds and pruned items I have also added fruit peels, coffee grounds, and veggies leftovers. However, it will probably be several years before good compost is available.
Happy gardening...

If you don't like the weather...

...just wait a few hours. Last night the temperatures hovered around 20 degrees. Yes, we got a frost. Knowing that this was a probable, I covered the four zone 7, ornamental grasses that I dared to plant early. They are really annuals for this area, as we are in zone 4. In the fall I plan to remove them from the garden and winter them over in the house. They are worth the trouble, as they are really lovely. Two are Cymbopogon citratus, Lemon Grass and two are Pennisetum setaceum 'Fireworks'. They are not very special to look at now, the Lemon Grass is just a wide blade yellow green grass, but in the late summer and early autumn it will obtain greater height and hues of red, orange and gold. Fireworks true to her name will blast into reds, deep greens and golds. Photos will be more impressive later in the season. And true to form the weather changed and it was in the 70's today. We had an early evening visitor last night. I remove the suet, seed feeders and peanuts every night because I don't want to attract nocturnal visitors. Bears, raccoon, skunks etc. will seek out free meals that I would rather save for the birds, especially since the latter don't eat like birds.

Yesterday was a most...

...unusual day. It rained off and on all day. I truly wanted to accomplish some gardening tasks, but each time the rain stopped and I assembled my gardening tools...the rain returned. Finally I decided to just stop trying and do sometime else. Then the sun came out. So, instead of gardening I grabbed my camera and went in search of photo opportunities. It didn't take long to find a few fun and funny things to photograph.

This little Chickadee seemed to be having a really Bad Hair Day. Actually it had been bathing in a shallow stream of water and was trying to groom itself when I found this photo op.
I continued photographing for about an hour and then returned home. On the balcony I observed a gray squirrel on the "Squirrel Proof Feeder". When I approached him he climbed down and gave me a look that seemed to say...

...Why are you looking at me? I didn't do anything, it wasn't me on the Bird Feeder, it must have been someone that resembled me. You can't prove a thing, I"m innocent, you believe me don't you?

A Wonderful day of...

...discovering. I have a passion for photography. The last few weeks it seems as soon as my feet hit the floor in the morning, I am off and running. But, today I had most of the day to myself. There is nothing I enjoy more than to just take my camera and go looking for whatever, is waiting to be "discovered" and photographed.
First I "discovered" that the Jacks are back. Both the green and brown. I like to turn up the flaplike spathe and photograph "Jack" the club like spadix.
Next among the Euphorbia esula, Leafy Spurge I found several Red Ants, Formica exsectoides. They are rusty red on the head and thorax and blackish brown on the legs and abdomen. Worker often stay near aphids or transport them to collect their "honeydew". Honeydew is a saplike liquid which the aphids secrete.
Next I found Morel mushrooms in several places, where I have not found them before. They are edible and if I find enough, I will pick them and cook them. A local grocery store sells Morels at $99.00 a pound. They are a very valuable "discovery". The question is do I like photographing them or eating them? Both!!!

The month of May...

...is my very favorite month. I want to be outside every possible minute. The sounds, sights and smells are all so fresh and wonderful. Baltimore orioles, Scarlet Tanagers, Ruby-Throated Hummingbirds and Warblers have all returned. The meadow and wood are a cacophony of bird melodies. The gardens seem to be growing so quickly that, the growth can be heard. The sweet smells of flowering trees, woodland treasures and gardens fill each breathe I take.
Discovery everywhere...each morning some new leaf or bud...eggs in the nest in the blue bird house...peepers and other frogs, a chorus nightly...insects...bee buzzing in and around each garden, shrub and tree...butterflies, dragonflies, moths.
I recall the words in a song from the Musical Carousel. "April cried and stepped aside and along came pretty little May. May was full of promises but, she didn't keep them quick enough for some". Well, she keeps them quick enough for me. And she always keeps her promises.