Butterflies at the Cascades

Spring Butterfly at the Cascades
(Cabbage White perhaps?)

If you've ever been on a "butterfly hunt" as I call it.....you knowthat once you get up to these little guys....they usually fly away... and leave you without a shot. Well....this one hung around a little while.

One of my favorites of Spring - Mourning Cloak Butterfly

Be infinitely flexible and constantly amazed.

― Jason Kravitz

The Cascades

Taken at the Cascades in the Jefferson National Forest.

During this visit we didn't have time to do the hike - 4 miles round trip....but just

seeing the area leading up to the hiking trail was a real treat.

There is a 69ft water fall at the top.

 

More info about The Cascades: HERE

Looking Up

From a squirrel's perspective :)

I got as close to the tree as I could.....and then looked up....and took the shot.

I liked how the branches looked against the clouds.

Invisible wings guide them
Endless possibilities
Clouds

Watching the Birds

American Robin

Male Downy Woodpecker

Mockingbird

Nobody can discover the world for somebody else. Only when we discover it for ourselves does it become common ground and a common bond and we cease to be alone.

~ Wendell Berry,

Bench Collection

Rest and be thankful.

~ William Wordsworth

Relax Refresh Renew

This Canada Goose was on the pond at the Izaak Walton Park 

I thought he was so cute diving under!

Bottom's UP!

And this was as we were leaving. Those lines on the left are the reflections of the trees.

Relax. Refresh. Renew. Play. Sing. Laugh. Enjoy. Forgive. Dance. Love. Hug. Share. Kiss. Create. Explore. Hope. Listen. Dare. Trust. Dream. Learn. TODAY!

Steve Maraboli 

Skywatch Friday 03-21-08

The first blooms on a tree at the Izaak Walton Park

last Sunday afternoon.

One of my favorite places :) Happy Friday Everyone!
If you want to participate in Skywatch Friday...visit Tom at
Wiggers Worldfor all of the details
at:http://womtig.blogspot.com/

This Sunday we celebrate Easter.
Happy Easter to all of those who celebrate!

ABC Wednesday....I is For

Icy Branches from an Ice Storm we had on February 1st 2008

Identification:

A goal for this Spring/Summer is to Identify more trees and wildflowers.

I have no Idea what kind of tree this is!Irresistible
Isn't this squirrel irresistible?

He was chewing on something intently while

I walked by.
(not the same squirrel from yesterday's post)Happy ABC Wednesday Everyone!

If you want to join ABC Wednesday go to Mrs. Nesbitt's http://mrsnesbittsplace.blogspot.com/and sign up!

Watching the Wild

White Breasted Nuthatch

  squirrel coming down the tree :)
  Tufted Titmouse
grabbing up some seed from the ground. Mmmmm Yummy!


And another squirrel...that seemed to be watching me intently.

As long as I live, I'll hear waterfalls and birds and winds sing. I'll interpret the rocks, learn the language of flood, storm, and the avalanche. I'll acquaint myself with the glaciers and wild gardens, and get as near the heart of the world as I can.

― John Muir

BUG, BUD and BIRDS

I found this bug/flying critter at Bissett Park yesterday.

He just sat there on this bud. He was TINY!

A Male Red-Bellied Woodpecker

I had the most Amazing Experience yesterday!

A Carolina Chickadee ate seed directly from my HAND!

I have never feed a wild bird from my hand before....it was AWESOME!

An update on the Boys Basketball Team.....they came in

Fourth Place at Nationals. They were playing many teams across the

United States....so I thought that was pretty awesome too.

We are so proud of them!

Saturday Suet and Seed Lovers

You are probably thinking "what a weird title for a post".

Well.....you see I wanted something that started with S....

and Suet and Seed were all I could think of in reference to Birds.

If you have any "S" words you want to contribute...so I can

use in future Saturday posts....leave them in a comment to me :)

This is a Tufted Titmouse cracking open a Sunflower Seed.

(please click on the pics...you get a much better view)

A Male Cardinal balancing himself.

"Cans someone hand me a napkin?"
This Female Cardinal has suet on her beak....she
just finished eating on the suet cake.
all of these were taken thru the glass
I am ready to head off to take some more pictures this morning.
Hope everyone has a Super Saturday!

Skywatch Friday - 03-14-08

On Wednesday of this week, Hubby and I went to

the Izaak Walton Park after work.

It was a Warm and Sunny Evening!!

This is the very first picture I took.

I must have seen about six Jets in a matter of 45 minutes or so.
While I was looking up, I spotted this guy........

This and the one below are what he looked like after
I "blew him up" on the computer and lightened the shadows.
I think it is a type of Hawk.
His markings underneath are quite unique!
Happy Friday Everyone!
If you want to participate in Skywatch Friday...visit Tom at Wiggers World
for all of the details at:http://womtig.blogspot.com/
Hope you Enjoy your Weekend!!

ABC Wednesday.....H is For

HIDING....A Cardinal hiding behind the branches.

HORSESHOES
Have you ever played??
This is FUN FUN FUN.
When I was a youngster we had plastic HORSESHOES so
that when/if we HIT anyone when we threw them(by accident of course)
no one would get HURT. These guys can be HEAVY.

HOLE
This HOLE would make a good HIDING place for
some creature.

HIVE
HUBBY and I found this HIVE when we were at Bissett Park
in November.

And Finally.........
Happiness!
My Son cutting down the net!
We Won our State High School Basketball Championship this year
for our division!
The boys are currently in Dayton TN playing at the
National Championship Tournament.
Go Lions!
Happy ABC Wednesday Everyone!
If you want to join ABC Wednesday go to Mrs. Nesbitt's http://mrsnesbittsplace.blogspot.com/and sign up!

Tuesday Takes

White Breasted Nuthatch

Tufted Timouse...these are such SWEET looking birds :)

Red-bellied Woodpecker
All of these shots were taken at Bissett Park on February 2nd 2008.
I haven't mastered the art of using a tripod yet...I am very much
a spontaneous "shooter"......I really need to work on that :)
For more birds....see my post below...Saturday Snaps!

Added Later: I am using a Nikon D40X with an AF-S Nikkor 55-200mm lens

Saturday Snaps

Mocking Bird

Sometimes he thinks he

Rules the Roost

Goldfinch on the "finch sock" filled with Nyger Seed

Cardinal --getting a drink

Cardinal....After the drink :)

All of these were taken thru the sliding glass door that leads

onto our deck....so there may be a little distortion.

Happy Saturday Everyone!!

Looking Up

We have had some BEAUTIFUL Weather this week!!

I found this nest at the Izaak Walton Park.
I wonder what kind of bird lives here??

A sunset viewed from my front porch.

Wishing you a Wonderful Day!