Multiple Fences 033116

Fences abound at the local fair ground.

Lots of fences in the area of the horse barns.

Joining:

Good Fences w/Theresa Tex/Wis

Spring at our State Park 033016

Yesterday's outing to our local State Park.

PA Fish & Boat Commission celebrates

century and a half or conservation

 As one of the oldest state fish and wildlife agencies in the nation, 

the Pennsylvania Fish & Boat Commission has a rich history 

of protecting and enhancing the state's 

rivers, lakes, streams and aquatic resources.

read more here.

Joining:

Outdoor Wednesday w/Susan

Arizona Palms 033016

Like the contrast of a black and white photo,

the contrast of  the trees between 

the southwest and the northeast of the USA

was impressionable; especially on Palm Sunday.

Joining:

Black and White Wednesday w/Adrienne

An Encounter 033016

Last week's Wild Bird post included this Burrowing Owl.

Last week's Saturday's Critters post included Charlie.

This week the two had an encounter

and it looks like it could have gotten ugly.

My son sent this picture when out for a walk.

Joining:

Wild Bird Weds w/Stewart

So Much Beauty - 032916

From Bougainvillea in Arizona

to Easter Sunrise and

 a Spring Willow in Pennsylvania

Joining:

Trees and Bushes

Never Thought to Ask 032916

This frame, with its pressed botanical art,

sat on a shelf at my grandmother's 

for as long as I can remember. 

I never thought to ask her who made it; 

she or someone else? 

It is definitely something I could see her doing. 

So I will treasure it for a little longer.

It survived the move from her home to my parents

and came to me from my Mother.

I'm embarrassed to say I came across it 

in a plastic tub just this week-end.

I will do better.

Pressed flower craft consists of drying flower petals and leaves in a flower press to flatten and exclude light and moisture. Pressing flowers makes them appear flat, and often there is a change in color, ranging from faded colors to a greater intensity of vibrant colors. It has long been practiced as an art form in Japan, where it is known as Oshibana (押し花), and in China. Outside of Asia, the art gained popularity in England during the Victorian era and has experienced a revival in the last 30 years or so. It is currently used in the United States by some recognized artists including Cellestine Hannemann and Janie Gross, and in Australia.

Find a treasure trove at:

Tuesday's Treasures w/Tom

Barns - Out and About

From the Files

Time to get out and look around again.

Joining:

The Barn Collective w/Tom

Arizona Patio 2016

Patio Walls and Arizona Sunshine

provide lots of opportunity for shadow shots.

Joining 

Shadow Shots 

and 

Mosaic Monday

Mighty Mite Critter 032616

Meet Charley

Charley is our Arizona granddog.

He is a perky Chihuahua mix less than one year old 

with a sweet disposition;

but isn't afraid to hold his own and win the day when necessary.

More critters at:

Saturday's Critters w/Eileen

or Blues at:

Blue Monday/Backyard Neighbor

Friday's Arizona Hunt 032516

M - Mountain

On our recent trip to the southwest I was amazed by the cactus covered mountains.

This is a peak in the White Tank Mountain Range

F - Favorite

As a twenty year veteran of the US NAVY we missed alot of birthday celebrations with our second son.

It was wonderful to be with he and his family for his 39th.

The group pictured are all part of the Little League crowd.

So my DIL had Jon's little league photo from the 1980s scanned on his cake.

Of course he is sporting his Pittsburgh Pirate hat and the cake is edged in Pirate Gold.

B - Bird

This Gambel Quail was a new siting for me while in Arizona.

I think it is elegant.

Joining:

Friday's Hunt w/Teresa

Fun Friday Favourites 032516

Part of our recent trip to Arizona was 

to celebrate our son's birthday.

Their life right now centers around their son's 

little league games.

They had a birthday get together with several league families.

Such a nice crowd and we were blessed to be included.

So my DIL had our son's little league picture from the 80's

scanned on his birthday cake.

Of course I cried. Seems like yesterday.

More favourites at:

Fun Friday Favourites w/Cath

Take Me Out to the Ball Park Fence 032416

Baseball season is pretty much a year round sport in Arizona.

Ball park fences abound.

Peering through the fence at the Little League ball park

and I just might know #1 ;)

oops, edit to add this one after publishing

And then the moon began to rise through the fence.

 And still shining through at the end of the game.

More to see at:

Good Fences w/Theresa Tex/Wis

Signs, Signs 032316

A couple signs from our trip to Arizona

Diamond Backs vs Reds

spring training

We took this tram down to the Docks at Lake Pleasant

and had lunch at the Scorpion Bay Marina Restaurant

Don't forget to check out more at:

Signs, Signs w/Lesley

A Whole New World 032316

Just spent the last five days

surrounded by mountain ranges in the southwest.

The first photo is from our son's patio.

Mornings there were so peaceful

with several new birds (to me) stopping by.

you can see those on my post at Wild Bird Wed here.

More of the outdoors at:

Outdoor Wednesday w/Susan

Where to Begin; Wild Bird Wed 032316

Just spent five wonderful days in the sunny southwest

and got acquainted with some new birds.

Each morning I sat on our son's patio when the temps were mild

and these beauties would stop by.

 Gambel Quail

Great Tailed Grackle

Just as at home, these cousins of our common grackles 

had a lot to say.

Northern Mockingbird

This special little owl has adapted to the 'progress?' 

going on around him

He has made his underground home at the corner of a busy intersection of six lane highways.

Our son and grandson came upon him one day when riding bikes and now look for him when passing by.

Burrowing Owl

Unfortunately when the bull dozers come, these owls head underground rather than escaping to another location.

You can view an interesting video about one man's attempt to save them here.

And this was a duck at Lake Pleasant

I'm a little late while recovering from jet lag.

Lots more birds at:

Wild Bird Wednesday w/Stewart

Saturday Critters 031916

Part of a flock of wild turkeys at the North end of Pymatuning lake.

Almost missed this lovely White Tail Deer blending into its surroundings as we rounded a bend in the State Park near home.

This look reminds me of Lucy. 'Our you coming?'

Our first reaction was doe but looking closer 

may be a button buck.

A button buck usually tends to be a buck that is only 6 months old. Since it is within their first year, they only have little nubs where their antlers will develope

More critters  w/ Eileen at:

Saturday Critters

Fenced for Protection 031716

Deck railings and fenced in bridges protect us

while not shutting out the world --- 'Good Fences'.

This observation deck and walking bridge are below the dam

at Pymatuning Lake.

And couldn't leave out the little stone shed beyond the railing.

See more friendly fences and more at:

Good Fences w/Theresa Tex/Wis