Voodoo Lily/Corpse Plant

 When I got to the conservatory right at 10am, I was amazed at all the people pouring in. Soon I found out that they had all come to see this exotic flower. I am assuming that it must have gotten a lot of news coverage and everyone wanted to see and to smell it. It was sure strange that's for sure.
For further info about this plant go to:
http://belleisleconservancy.org/

Belle Isle Carillon Tower

The tower from inside the conservatory

Nature Challenge Day 7

This is one of my favorite nature photos. It  really has an atmosphere about it. Taken on an early morning walk it defines the overcast and gloomy day.
I am glad to say that the 7 day challenge is over...yea! I did enjoy sharing some of my favorite photos and hope that everyone liked seeing them as well.

Old Fire Hydrant

Picture of a very old fire hydrant taken today on Belle Isle. It was along a road that cuts through the middle of the park which is wooded and has no buildings anywhere in sight. It makes me wonder if there was a structure back in the day...or structures along this lonely road.

What Day is it?

You know when you are retired it's difficult to remember what day it is...there seems to be no marker for the weekends. I just know that the days and weeks fly by and even more so since I have been laid up. Yesterday, I made a trip to Costco and I was done for the day. It was exhausting. Tomorrow I am going to try to go out and take some photos. Still don't feel up to walking at the parks so will try something where I can do a lot from the car. So...hopefully, new photos tomorrow.

Nature Challenge Day 6

I remember the evening that I took this photo...it was last spring and the light was perfect and the ocean breezes warm and mild. I am pretty sure that this is a Sand Piper of some kind...not good at identifying shore birds. More than the bird are the memories of that perfect evening...that's what photo are for.

Nature Challenge Day 5

Great White Egret taken at Huntington Beach State Park, Murrells Inlet, SC.

One month and I will be there in person ...can't wait!

Nature Challenge Day 4

I thought that everyone would appreciate some summer color today....it's been snowing to some degree for 24 hours. Surprisingly, only about 4 inches on the ground.
This is the backside of a flower (yellow my favorite color) with a monarch perched on the front. Can't wait for the meadow at Lake Erie to bloom...one of my favorite places.

Nature Challenge Day 3

I call all chipmunks Alvin even if their name might be Robert or Dick. In fact, when I am out walking I carry on a running conversation with all the birds and other animals that happen my way. Most common is begging a little song bird to please sit still so I can get their photo. I guess that's why I like to walk alone.

Weather

Don't know what it's doing out there....this morning it snowed slush and now it seems to be raining. I went to the store because I was afraid that I would get snowed in without any milk...ha. It was a sloppy mess out there. Suppose to turn back to snow tonight. So glad that I am retired!

All the Leaves Are Brown

and the skies are gray. Iv'e been for a walk on a winters day......................

Nature Challenge Day 2

This photo of a Barred Owl was taken last year at Brookgreen Gardens in SC. He sat in broad view, watching with great curiosity a landscape crew working on a flower bed. I felt very lucky to get such a close up view. Note that he has an injured eye.

Nature Challenge

I have been nominated to take part in a nature photography challenge on facebook. I have been challenged to post one of my photographs for each 7 days. I can't really compare myself to some of the wonderful photographers out there but I will do my best.
This is my favorite bluebird photo that I have ever taken. Nestled in a flowering redbud tree, this bluebird is the epitome of Spring.

A February Spring day

60 degrees and sunny on February 20th! Had a little outing to Lower Huron and enjoyed the beautiful weather (snow predicted for next week). Not much going on there but on my way out of the park I saw a Bald Eagle. He was catching the draft, souring then banking and diving....looked like he was enjoying the sunny day as much as I....well, more than me because he can fly and I can't ;-)

Travels With Carol, Italy

 Here I am in the beautiful hotel lobby in Stresa, Italy.....
This two week trip to Italy with my friend Susan, is still one of my favorite tours. Of course we saw every church between Capri and Switzerland, museums and other points of interests but what I remember best was the sun and the light, the wonderful friendly people and the food, food, food. Just little things like a walk to town from the hotel to Stresa to sit in the town square and drink a sangria, or the little town of Frascati, where the whole town was out for the evening, strolling, sitting and visiting before a late evening meal....we were told that it was like this every night. Italians know how to live life!
Then there was the fabulous meal, al fresco, in the hills above Florence. It took hours to eat! Shopping in Sorrento, the rain storm in Florence and the singing and dancing in the rain (us) in the rain in Venice, Capri, Capri, Capri and limoncello, and the great folks in our tour group all made this the best trip ever!

Lake Maggiore where Susan swam and I collected sea glass.

 Milan

We saw so much in two weeks that it makes my head spin thinking about it. I have love Italy ever since and was lucky to go again a few years later....watch this space.

Liam Goes To Washington

For more go to our family blog at: http://carneyfamilynewsletter.blogspot.com/

Snow Scenes

 ...and why not? It's in the single digits and there is snow on the ground but not as beautiful as these photos that I shot at Lower Huron in November.

Amaryllis

 My granddaughter gave me this beautiful Amaryllis for Christmas. It took a month to go from a bulb to these wonderful red flowers. I used to have one that my Mom gave me that bloomed once a year for 10 years. Hope that I can keep this one going.

We have artistic talent in our family

This was taken by my granddaughter, Allison. For more about our family's talent check out our Carney Family Newsletter page at http://carneyfamilynewsletter.blogspot.com/

I'm Back!

I have been missing in action for the last 2 weeks because I had emergency surgery on January 20th. I'm coming along slowly. Pretty tired of being house bound with very little motivation to do much of anything. Looking forward to spring when I hope to be fully recovered.
A shout out to everyone who has supported me and sent me get well wishes and especially to my daughter, Amy, who came up from SC to take care of me. I appreciate her disrupting her life to come to my rescue.