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Sunday, May 6, 2012

Allison

As everyone knows, I have 6 grandchildren but seem to only post pictures of 3....now why is that? I recently saw a picture of John in a suit and I thought "Who is that guy?" As far as Sean and Mikey go, I can't remember what they look like. Geez, for Mother's Day...how about some pictures?

Kind of small....even with my glasses on I didn't recognize him

Liam and Emma

These two make my car look even better. Love those smiles!

Liam

Friday, May 4, 2012

Big Birds

Love the baby Sand Hill Crane chicks. I slowly moved closer to get a better shot and the parents made a warning sound...sounded like someone was knocking on a door. I had heard that if you get too close to the chicks they will attack you, otherwise they are usually oblivious to people and will walk right up beside you.
The tom turkey was right at the side of the trail, by himself, and was not bothered by 3 photographers snapping his photo.
Another hot day today (muggy). We got up to 89 yesterday and broke the record. Cooling off for the weekend back to more spring-like weather.
Crack O' Dawn tomorrow at the crack of dawn...don't like that part :-)

Thursday, May 3, 2012

A Walk in the Park

85 degrees is too warm for May 3 but at 8 am this morning the weather was just perfect. As soon as I pulled into the drive leading to Kensington Metropark, I stuck my nose out the window and was hit by the best smells...of fresh washed earth and, I think, apples blossoms.
My walk was absolutely one of the best that I have ever had and even my ankle held up pretty well. I used my walking pole and I think that helps.
As soon as I stepped onto the trail a male Downy Woodpecker started dive bombing me, looking for a handout. In fact, he followed me for quite some time.
Wildflowers were in bloom everywhere and I had both cameras snapping. I have so many flower photos to post but first I will try to identify them.
The birds were out in force and their singing was wonderful. The songbirds that I saw (unfortunetly I wasn't able to get everyone's photo) were the Tree Swallows, two Baltimore Orieles, Chickadees, Downys, Tufted Titmice, Bluebird (one), Yellow Warbler (one), Red-Bellied Woodpecker and what looked like a Brown Headed Cowbird. I also saw one male wild turkey and two pairs of Sandhill Cranes with chicks. I didn't walk over to the lake but as I drove by, I saw that the Great Blues were still in the rookery and an Egret as well. . Also got some Mute Swan photos. As I was getting ready to leave, a gentleman pointed out two turtles in the pond near the Nature Center. Also out in full force were other photographers....oh, to have along lens of my own.
I got so many photos and will be posting a lot of them, For now, here is a study of a pair of Tree Swallows that are nesting in a Bluebird nesting box.
Happy walking from me, Sun Walker. (today, anyway)

Just a little add- on of information...the top 4 photos were taken with my Canon Powershot, the last three were taken with my Canon T1I SLR.....these were taken in manual mode.