Another Wet day!

Yesterday this was the sky when we went to get some groceries. In about half an hour it really came down. We just got back to the van in time. Wednesday morning we decided since it was another cloudy day it would be a good time to search for beach glass, and it was a good search. I got lots of really neat pieces. One of these days I'll take a shot of them.
Traveling along we saw this young red Fox cross the road. He had some red hair and some grey hair. Running too fast to get a good shot though.

While we were looking for the beach glass I spotted this Great Egret . Not seen too much in this area, it might be migrating. For some reason it didn't want me to see the front.

Plenty of Canada Geese resting.

A Great Blue Heron doing some preening.

These guys were quite far away, so if they aren't clear that's why.

Here is one looking rather grumpy.

We also came upon a small flock of Turkeys.

On the way home I just had to take a picture of this really dirty sheep.

Tomorrow might be raining again, so we are going to try working on an old chicken nest that needs some help so I can get myself more chickens.

Watery Wednesday

Since it has been raining on and off for the past 2 days, we haven't ventured out much. We did have to go to the grocery store, and on the way home you can see what the rain has done bringing down lots of leaves.
To see what 2sweetnsaxy has done with this meme, click on http://waterywednesday.blogspot.com and see lots more watery shots.

Ruby Tuesday

Out on Lake Erie recently this sailboat was waiting for a good wind..
Happy Ruby Tuesday all. Click on http://workofthepoet.blogspot.com to see what Mary/the teach has done with this meme.

Macro Monday

On a day when we were supposed to have some sun, Mother Nature played a trick on us I guess and gave us a day with mostly drizzle. Therefor I took some photos of this 3 leaf clover with drizzle.
Happy Macro Monday everybody, and Thanks to Lisa for this meme. Just click on http://lisaschaos.com to see more close-ups.

Rainy, Cool Saturday

It was a yucky Saturday. Wet, cool, and a bit windy, SO I didn't get out to take any pictures. These images are from earlier this week.
There is an old wild apple tree on the creek trail, and this year it has a good yield. They aren't very big, just a little larger than a golf ball, but really sweet. Of course the Sumac leaves continue to change.

On my afternoon walk a small flock of Turkey Vultures glides over the barn.

On my morning walk I was nearly back home when I checked out this very tall Aspen tree, and at first thought I saw a hornets nest, but when I got closer I discovered a Bald Eagle. It was just before 7AM, and you can still see the moon

Down on the trail a male Northern Flicker scurries up a nearby tree. It may look like the end of his beak is missing, but it's just dark from probably searching for something in an old dead tree.

More wild Asters.

That's all for today. I'm hoping you all have a wonderful week-end.

Weekend Reflections

On a recent morning we took a ride to watch trains for a while. At our favorite spot the workers were doing some repairs to the rails and had some equipment near us. I noticed the reflection of those big Cumulus clouds in the window of this back-hoe.

Thanks to James for keeping this great meme going. Click Here to see lots more reflections.

Skywatch Friday

Friday is about to roll around again, and it's time for sky shots.
I thought these were dancing clouds. It has been a beautiful day, and the prediction for tomorrow is 90 deg.
Thanks to all who make this meme possible. Click on over to http://skyley.blogspot.com to see more sky images.

Between the Rain Drops

Today was kind of a dreary day. Rain, then dry time, then more rain, etc. etc.
On one of my trips to the barn I found this male Monarch Butterfly clinging to the door frame. Being so perfect and clean with no tattered wings I thought he must just have emerged. Looking around I found the opened chrysalis on the top of the door frame. I can't believe I didn't see it earlier. With rain coming I placed him in one of our apple trees hoping he could keep dry.

A few of the Roses are blooming again now that all of the Japanese beetles have disappeared.

About a quarter of a mile from our home is an old dead snag along side the creek and this Bald Eagle is seen resting. I hope to photograph some young ones that have been seen lately on this tree.

In the back yard this morning a movement caught my eye and this Grey Catbird was seen in my Azalea bush. I haven't seen any Catbirds for about 2 weeks, and wondered if this one might be migrating.

Another late summer blooming rose.

I was mowing the grass yesterday, and stopped the tractor so I could take a shot of this Isabella Moth larva. Better known as a Woolly Bear, they really can't predict the severity of winter, although folks have had fun with it for many years.

With some rain and high humidity the mushrooms have begun to flourish. There are lots of small ones under our Spruce trees, but I forgot to take any shots. These are on the edge of the yard.

Tonight is the last day of Summer :~(, and the moon will be full. We won't see it because of cloudy skies.

Watery Wednesday

It was such a beautiful day yesterday and a perfect day for sailing. The winds were pretty stiff, and this sailboat took no time at all getting out of the harbor.
Happy Watery Wednesday, and if you click over to http://waterywednesday.blogspot.com/ 2sweetnsaxy will show you more water shots.

Ruby Tuesday

When I saw this red barn with the Antique sign this afternoon, I knew I'd have to get a picture of it. Years ago when we were much younger, we collected antiques, and often would stop at these kinds of barns looking for something we just couldn't live without :~). These days we have began cleaning out those out of the way places that contained all those goodies, and find out we can function fine without them. LOL
Click on over to Mary/the teach's site http://workofthepoet.blogspot.com and see what she has that's RED.

Correction

Last week I posted this butterfly on one of our water pails , and I thought it was a Monarch.
My good friend Mary at http://faithfabricandphotos.blogspot.com noticed that it really is a Viceroy butterfly. I don't think I have ever seen one before, and am really thankful she let me know. Thanks Mary!

Macro Monday

I just had to take one more picture of Chicory because in the next couple of days, we are predicted a frost :~(
If that happens, no doubt all the wild flowers will be gone.
I love the center of this blossom. It looks like little blue candles.
Happy Macro Monday. Click on http://lisaschaos.com/ to see what Lisa has done with this cool meme.

We did see some sun today.

Well folks, it's coming. You know what I mean. Just this past week the leaves are beginning to turn. This young doe still has a few spots left.

Out on the trails today searching for more Monarch caterpillars, all I found was this Ladybug.

BTW, the caterpillar I do have is in it's chrysalis as of noon today. I'll keep you posted.

I have several Sedum plants, and they are really nice this year.

There are a few Thistles still in bloom, and the bees are busy.

Cute little male Goldfinch, and you can see they are loosing their golden color in preparation for winter :~(

Today we had lunch down by the lake and these kids were feeding the ducks. The Seagulls were no where around when they started throwing out the bread when all of a sudden they flew in from everywhere.

Of course when I walk the creek trail you know you will get more shots of the Wood duck clan.

Enough for today.We're supposed to get more rain tomorrow. We need to cut the grass, but with all the trees we have on our property the grass doesn't dry till late afternoon.

Have a wonderful rest of the week-end.

Weekend Reflections

On our recent vacation we stayed at a B&B right beside the railroad tracks. Since we love watching trains, this is a perfect spot. In this image I took looking at the window of our van you can see in the background 2 tunnels and the hillside that the trains travel through. My hand holding my camera even got in the shot.
Thanks to James for hosting this meme. Click on his site http://newtowndailyphoto.blogspot.com to see lots more reflections.

Skywatch Friday

We were told on the morning weather report that there would be storms in the area today. I hurried out with my camera at 7AM just before sunrise and caught these 3 shots all within 5 minutes, all looking East. Don't forget to click on each picture to get the full effect.
Happy Skywatch Friday, and we hope you have a wonderful day.
Click on http://skyley.blogspot.com to see lots more sky shots.

Home Today

On the drive home today we noticed that the leaves are turning! We saw many beautiful trees, but with the fast traffic around me, I couldn't take many pictures.

We drove through the famous ( at least it is in Pennsylvania) town of Punxsutawney. There, lives the little ground hog ( Woodchuck) Punxsutawney Phil. On the 2nd of February each year at sunrise, Phil is taken from his warm burrow and the town folks along with 1000's of onlookers and TV watchers all wait in anticipation to see whether Phil will see his shadow. If he does, the United States will have 6 more weeks of winter. If he doesn't, Spring will be early. Many towns around the United States have their own "Phil". Anyway in several places around the town are these statues of Phil and each is dressed different. This one is fashioned after a baker or chef, and
was in front of a bakery shop. They stand about 5 feet high.

Our return trip took us through Cook Forest, an 8,500 acre forest known for some of America's finest virgin white pine, and hemlock timber stands. A beautiful drive, and you will see lots of log cabins for campers, hikers, bikers, and canoeing. One time many years ago driving through this area we saw a bear cross the road, but of course no camera...

My first Monarch caterpillar, and as I type, it is in a big jar in my greenhouse. I'll keep everybody posted.

I really don't like Flies, but they are interesting to look at.

We had a wonderful time, but we're glad to be home too. There is still alot to do around here till winter shows up. I will try this week to get back visiting everyone's blogs. Thanks for being patient.