Hello and Goodbye

Our new buddy was waiting for Lucy and I

near the shore this morning.

He even waved his tail.

We also saw a flock of ubiquitous Canada Geese 
arriving for the day just after sunrise.

and a  young buck in the distance

Then as we walked down the shoreline I looked back
and Mr. Swan was following us.


And when we got in the car

he turned and sailed away.

Joining
Saturday's Critters

Prima Ballerina

Thankful today for a butterfly ballet to remind me of the release of joy dance brings in mind, body and spirit.

Prima Ballerina

and her troupe

while it's not unusual to see a solo butterfly 

flitting around atMuldoon,

there were four or five of them 

feasting together on these zinnias

in a 'dance of the butterflies'

Keep calm and flutter on.

Joining

Thankful Thursday

L is for Letter and . . .

Letter Opener

 This is a 1947 letter to my Grandfather

from my family history files.

The letter opener belonged to my Grandmother

who was born in 1898 and died in 1987.

It is marked 'stainless steel/Japan';

probably mid 1900s.

While not necessarily an antique or collectable

it is a keepsake dear to my heart.

Joining ABC Wednesday

Swan . . .

the largest of waterfowl.

This beauty has been flying solo

at the State Park

all Summer

Joining

Wild Bird Wednesday

Fall Fruit

Kousa Dogwood Fruit

Joining

Ruby Tuesday Too

It's That Time of Year . . .

and the Hibiscus palustris (Swamp Rose Mallow) seedpods are exceptional.

Joining Macro Monday 2
Nature Notes

A Room With a View

behind the waterfall of

the garden pond atMuldoon

on a late September day

Joining My Sunday Photo

Steered Clear . . .

of this very LARGE Bumble Bee

But it probably didn't notice me anyway 

as it enjoyed this bed of Sedum and feasting on the nectar.

Scientific Name: Bombus spp.

What Do Bumblebees Look Like?

Bumblebees are large, fuzzy, very hairy insects that are black and yellow colored or in some species orange or red. Size varies by species but adults may be up to a little over one inch long. They differ from carpenter bees, which have a solid black, shiny and hairless abdomen. Bumblebees have a large structure on their hind legs known as a pollen basket that is often loaded with pollen collected by foraging adults. Female bumblebees have a stinger and a pointed abdomen, while males do not have a stinger and have a rounded abdomen.

Joining Saturday's Critters

Getting Back to Photos . . .

and hoping Fall will inspire me.

On today's menu.

Each leaf plays a note in the symphony of Autumn

---Pepper Blair

Don’t talk to me of solemn days 

    In autumn’s time of splendor, 

Because the sun shows fewer rays, 

    And these grow slant and slender.

Why, it’s the climax of the year,— 

    The highest time of living!— 

Till naturally its bursting cheer 

    Just melts into thanksgiving.

---Paul Laurence Dunbar

from my photo archives

“How beautifully leaves grow old. How full of light and color are their last days.”

John Burroughs

Joining Willy Nilly Friday 5

Seasonal Transition

Fall may be on the calendar but Summer is hanging on 

in western P.A.

With feathery leafed Cosmos

and a late blooming Geranium.

It's always Summer somewhere

---Lily Pulitzer

Joining Floral Foto Friday

Thankful For . . .

a bumper crop of tomatoes this year to share with friends and neighbors.

We had three varieties - two for slicing and these grape tomatoes. As you can see I keep a supply on the counter and the RG eats them like grapes. They have too many seeds for my liking.

We love tomatoes fresh but don't preserve any, so it's been fun to put them at the end of the driveway 'FREE' and watch them disappear as people stop on their way by.

Joining Thankful Thursday