Woodlot Wander

Our Barn Tour photo shoot was cancelled yesterday due to the rain. I was really disappointed but I think that it will be rescheduled for next week.
Today, I went to Lake Erie Metropark for a walk and a few folks from Crack O' Dawn also showed up...Bernie, Inga and Ulanawa. It was a beautiful day and we saw a Cooper's Hawk's nest and the male hawk in a tree. The female was sitting on her eggs. Paul, the interpreter, set up a spotting scope so we could see her.
Also, saw a pair of Yellow Rumped Warblers (also known as Butter Butts). We had a lesson in wild flowers as well. I took a lot of photos and it was a great walk. Very busy on the bike trail as it was Sunday. A lot of bikers. We had to keep jumping out of their way.
Crack O' Dawn next week!

Wild Geranium


Cooper's Hawk

Yellow-Rumped Warbler

Paul, Metropark interpreter

My new Chevy Cruze (doing my bit to help the economy)

Mike's Bike Team

Finches

Yesterday, a flock (charm) of American Goldfinches arrived in my back yard. Previously, I had one early scout come once or twice, checking out my seed sock but now they have descended on my River Birch to eat the seeds and also eat from my sock that is filled with Niger thistle seed. I didn't get any photos yet this year but will get out there soon (when the sun comes out).
I love these small, colorful birds with their bright yellow feathers and their undulating flight pattern. They are like flowers in my garden.
Meanwhile, I did capture a photo of a House Finch at the sock. He struck me as comical, like he knew that I was watching him. When I first moved here, 16 years ago, there were flocks of House Finches (a flock of House Finches is called a Development). Now, I am lucky to see one or two. They were struck down with a virus that causes blindness....I hope that they are making a comeback.
Scheduled for a photo shoot today...doing the "barn tour". I have been looking forward to it all week and have gone so far as to buy a new frame and matte for a great barn photo. Now, rain is predicted and as any camera person knows, you don't take your camera out in the rain. It is dark and gloomy and I have been checking the radar and my email. The shoot is at 3pm so we will see what happens. Of course as the weather would have it....tomorrow is going to be beautiful and sunny. Hope to go on a group walk at Lake Erie Metropark in the afternoon. A "Woodlot Wander"
In the meantime I got a picture from my son Mike who was getting ready for a bike ride with the GTG (good time gang) in Kansas. The picture showed his beautiful bike next to his truck. His comment was "This is the best morning that I have ever had for a ride" See photo of Mike's bike team in the above posting from last year's MS ride.

Are you lookin' at me?

Bridges

Shed

Woodlot in Spring

Barge moving into Lake Erie

Wind Walker

Wow! Went on a walk today toLake Erie Metropark and about got blown away. I'm a big woman so you know if the wind is going to rock me, it must be a hurricane gale. I drove out to the lake and the wind was coming in at gale force. I know this because I got out of the car to take a photo of a barge and couldn't hold the camera still. The water, of course, was very rough and there wasn't a duck in sight.

My walk through the wood lot was nice. It was sunny and even though the wind was howling it wasn't bad in the woods. Saw a heron and again saw the Kingfisher but wasn't quick enough to get a picture. Also some little deer.

It's evening now and the wind has calmed way down. Hoping to get out again on Thursday.

McCourtie Park

McCourtie Park

Our model

Jeff, our fearless leader setting up our group shot. Run, Jeff, run!

Photography Class, advanced

Packing up to leave.

Wow, they changed my whole blog around as far as postings go...don't like that! Anyway, here we all are at Mccourtie Park which at one time, in the 30s, was an estate owned by a cement magnet who had all these concrete bridges built. Recently the bridges were restored and are in great shape...because anyone that has a driveway knows, concrete deteriorates. The park is located in Somerset Center near Irish Hills. Loved the scenic drive out there. Really looking forward to next week when we will be shooting barns out in the same area.
The grounds were beautiful and we had a great morning...topped off by lunch at a sports bar where we were all thoroughly disgusted with our Detroit Tigers.
I have taken tons of photos and will post them here and there as time goes by.

Allison

This picture was taken by someone else....cropped and edited by me. Allison looks so pretty!

Spring At My House

Everything is so lush and green in my yard. Getting a head start on all my spring clean up with time to plant a splash of color.

Periwinkle growing in middle of my river birch.

The periwinkle in my garden is so beautiful this year. Divided and moved my Solidego (golden- rod hybrid). That plant grows like crazy and blooms in August and September when everything else is looking sad. It gets almost 4 ft. tall so I'm using it to hide an old iron gate that my neighbor has leaning on the side of her garage. Really is an eyesore for me. Looking at maybe a bamboo fence. PS: Why, Sadie, did you not put the gate behind your garage?

I have Goldfinches and one lone House Finches coming to my sock for seed...yea! Also saw a Red Admiral butterfly in my yard several days in a row. It's going to be a good garden year.

Getting Ready

Spent some time working on my front flower bed yesterday and today I plan on working in the back. Can't believe that I am getting this done so early but yea! Yesterday I bought some pretty yellow pansies to plant or as they call them in South Carolina "winter flowers". They remind me of little ladies..so pretty.
Well, it is a absolutely beautiful morning, so off I go to play in the dirt before I have to leave for my hair appointment.

City Coffeehouse

Had a great time with my friend Susan last night. We went to Olga's for dinner and then stopped at City Coffeehouse in Allen Park to check out my classes' photo display. It also gave Susan a chance to hook up to the Internet as she has no Internet access at home. Ran into Bob and Karen there.

It has been awhile since I have hung out anywhere and I really enjoyed it, especially having great conversation with Susan.

Beautiful day today. Wish I could be out on the trail but I have an appointment mid-day...darn! I am headed out to the garden though, to get a little work done....not work when the weather is as beautiful as today ;-)

Wilderness Walker

Doesn't this sound like me? I want to go hit the trail but: 1. it's too cloudy 2. it's too cold 3. too windy 4. too wet 5. too buggy 6. too hot 7. way too sunny 8. I'm tired 9. not motivated 10. my foot hurts.....anyway, you get the idea.

Today was cloudy and gloomy and it got really dark like a storm was rolling in. Then the sun came out and the wind kicked in...gusting almost 50mph. Now, that is too windy.

Have appointments the next few days but hope to get out Thursday. My ankle really puffed out after Sat. Guess it's just will take more time to heal.

Not complaining though. Asking for a speedy recovery for my son, Mike, who hurt is shoulder, my old coworker, Linda, who is very sick at Oakwood. Putting everything in perspective I am doing just fine!