Tuesday, April 29, 2008

Award Tuesday:

I am flattered and honored that the VERY talented photographer Lisa would think enough of my photos and blog to bestow this award of distinction on me. Thank you, it means more to me than you will ever know.

And because it is always fun to pass the award on to someone deserving of it, I pass it on to
Out with Ari. Kathryn's posts are always fun and educational. She and her dog Ari take a scientific look at the world. I envy the students who have had the opportunity to take her classes. I have made "Out with Ari" one of my daily stops, I hope you will too.

I, also, wish to pass it to Stacey over at
A Focus in the Wild. Stacey is an amazing photographer whos main subjects are of wildlife and nature. Stacey is a "licensed falconer for the past 8 years, as well as volunteering at sub-permittee at a local bird rescue center, where I have helped to rehabilitate orphaned and wounded raptors." Way to go ~ Stacey

oh and BTW, it look exactly like the cap and gown I will be wearing in 2 weeks!

Monday, April 28, 2008

Monday Odd Shots:

spring seed dispersal

Sunday, April 27, 2008

Weekend Snapshot: Flowers

This weekend brought a whirlwind of craziness and yet again I was forced to postpone my outdoor spring clean up. I did, however, manage to take a few minutes to browse through a local garden center. This not only renewed my hopes of having a beautiful summer flower garden, it afforded an opportunity to photograph some unique and interesting subjects.





Saturday, April 26, 2008

Camera Critters #3:

The Gentlemen's Club
The boys are out on the prowl, look out ladies.

Friday, April 25, 2008

It's a Sky Watch Friday:

Cloudless skies are bright blue, breeze is cool, it is a great day to wrap a blanket around myself, grab the beachchair, a cuppa tea and sit for awhile.

Thursday, April 24, 2008

Orlando:

This photo of my precious Orlando expresses many of my emotions. As I look at him standing, handsomely, amidst the tall grasses, I can’t help but to notice his graying beard. His nearly 12 years of age is evident and his future days are notability few.

Orlando, the third puppy I raised for The Seeing Eye, decided the career of a dog guide wasn’t for him. He tried very hard to focus on his studies while in school but found his heart belonged with me. He was welcomed back home with open arms. Not a day has passed in which Orlando and I have not spent time together and I have 12 years worth of fond memories of my faithful companion.

Monday, April 21, 2008

Coots for Sale:

If you feel the need for a "Coot", I know where to get one. I'm just afraid it might be an old one!

Sunday, April 20, 2008

Weekend Snapshot: Boardwalk

This has been another hectic week. With end of the semester upon us and finals approaching, I am putting in extra time "cramming" while B has been spending long hours at his job. With the warmer spring days, we realize yard clean awaits; however,we felt a break was in order. A nice walk on the broadwalk, the sound of the beach waves crashing on shore and lunch out were just what we needed to renew our spirits. Enjoy your week ahead,


Saturday, April 19, 2008

Camera Critters #2:

Meet “LW!” (Since the gift of puppy raising is done anonymously, we refer to her as “LW” when blogging) She is our Seeing Eye puppy and is certainly in charge! At 10 months of age, she possesses a zest for life like no other! We will be enjoying her company for another 8 months, before her return to The Seeing Eye for formal harness training. We have an entire blog dedicated to our joys and adventures with her.


Friday, April 18, 2008

Sky Watch Friday:

All winter long I dreamed about days like this, the sun is shining brightly, the sky is deep blue in color, the air is still and temperatures are in the 70s. I can feel the warmth, of this day, starting to defrost my bones.


Thursday, April 17, 2008

Sweet P

Today: a photo of my handsome "Sweetie P" boy surveying the back 40.

Tuesday, April 15, 2008

April 15th:

After paying my taxes today, this is what I have left!
I can't even buy bubble gum with Abe anymore.

Monday, April 14, 2008

RSVP:

I just heard from Spring, she's on her way. She's taking the scenic route, but she is definitely coming.




Sunday, April 13, 2008

Weekend Snapshot: Birding

If pre-calculus is my most dreaded class; ornithology was my favorite. Childhood days were marked by my mother (an accomplished species enthusiast) continually pointing out members of the various avian “communities.” With many bird feeders strewn about our yard during the spring months, there were often nests nearby. This frequently resulted in us being awakened at sunrise by the sound of a zealous mama bird calling her children out of the nest (followed by my overzealous mom calling us out of ours to witness these feathery fledglings’ first flight).

While I am not the enthusiast my mother appears to be (she always insisted on taking out her “spy glasses” to check on everything with wings that moved in our yard), I jumped at the chance to take an ornithology class in college. Much of our time was spent on the college grounds, newly acquired binoculars “at-the-ready” to watch and identify the various creatures. Class trips to a nearby refuge were plentiful, and I enjoyed them so much it became frequent personal haunt. Returning to this wonderful atmosphere and scenic view always evokes a sense of joy and peace. One of the best times to visit is during the spring migration. On a visit last year, I observed over 30 different species of birds!

A trip this weekend yielded 14 various ornithological finds. With this in mind, I am anxious for this year’s spring migration, where the warmer weather will again find the refuge teeming with birds.

Northern Shoveler
Northern Pintail
Muted Swan
Great Egret (more on these later)
Snow Goose
Red Winged Black Bird
Great Blue Heron
Canada Goose
"Osprey"
Laughing Gulls
Cormorant
American Oystercatcher
Sandpipers
Common Merganser

Feminus Homosapius Occularus (woman with binoculars)





(For all my photo friends, I promise to purchase a tripod, as I know this will result in sharper pictures.)

Saturday, April 12, 2008

Camera Critters #1:

Misty Dawn has started a new weekend meme, Camera Critters. The rules are simple, just post a photo of an animal, it can be one of your pet or a wild critter, or as in my case, my "LW", at most times, is a wild critter!


My first entry is a photo of Laramie, an 8 year old golden retriever who is a working Seeing Eye Dog. Although not technology at work here, he enjoys the warmth of the spring sunshine, while maintaining a watchful eye on his partner in the yard.

Friday, April 11, 2008

Foggy Friday Morning:

Boy, it seems like Spring is slow in coming this year. There are signs of it all around, flowers blooming, leaflets on the trees and some of our avian "snowbirds" are returning. But with temps in the low 40s and a foggy morning it feels more like winter. (sigh)


Thursday, April 10, 2008

Seriously:

Congressional office of responsible spending.

Wednesday, April 9, 2008

Wall Art:

Living “down the shore” has many advantages, most of which include the beach and waterways. During the winter months, the beaches and local communities are nearly ghost towns; only the hardened beach goers will brave the strong, brutally cold, winter winds blowing off the ocean. As the weather warms, not only do the migrating birds return, so do our “bennies” (aka vacationers, weekenders). Our roadways become parking lots and beaches so crowded that sand is barely visible between all the blankets filled with sunbathers.
B and I decided to head over to a new local eatery, before it becomes impossibly crowded. This was a lovely place right on the beach, and as we ate we were able to enjoy the ocean view all while remaining toasty warm and guarded from the last of the winter wind. Then, I notice this piece of “wall art,” not only does it tell you where to go, it tells you when to do it. I wonder: will the “bennies” see the humor in this?

Tuesday, April 8, 2008

Nerve Center:

I was goofing around while taking some photos of a tree in the fields. When I viewed this one on my computer it reminded me of a nerve center.

Monday, April 7, 2008

Me & B:


Well, ok maybe not! I've mentioned I am easily entertained and I got a chuckle from this thought.

Sunday, April 6, 2008

Weekend Snapshot: Addiction


It’s ironic that just the other day, several of my blogger friends and I were discussing if we would be able to give up some of our modern technological devices: cell phone, TV, iPod, and the internet for a few days, say maybe even a week. I said, I would certainly be willing to forgo my cell phone (unless an emergency arouse). TV? Absolutely! I do not watch much TV and recently discussed having our cable turned off. That would be easy for me. Music, I confessed, would be difficult; however I could try. As for my computer and internet, no. I enjoy my picture taking and need the computer to upload and view the images taken. I would not be able to sacrifice this above a few hours. The internet, perhaps, on second thought…no!

Well, low and behold, yesterday morning my internet left me! And, mind you a computer without internet is like well….a computer without internet. Cold, lifeless and disconnected (sigh). As I bounded out of bed and fired up my laptop I couldn’t wait to double-click on that big friendly ‘E”…the one that says: “The world awaits!!!” Oh no! Wait! There must be something wrong! NOOOOOOO!!!!! How could this be happening to ME??!! I ran shouting down the hallway—robe flying behind me and hair flailing in the wind. Wide-eyed I ran to B, who startled from his sleep, could only assume by my state of panic either the house was on fire or we were out of chocolate. He could see, by the look in my eyes, something had gone terribly wrong. Wrong? It was a horror!! So, instead of spending this first Spring like day outside, poor B worked endlessly on fixing the internet connection. As the birds chirped outside the hard drive whirred madly inside. As the sun beat down upon the new little leaflets; B’s hammer beat down upon the outside of the modem! And, although, I was willing to keep him company, he insisted I go out and enjoy the day taking some photos. Hummm...me addicted?


Saturday, April 5, 2008

Around Town:

This dinosaur, which stands road side, was originally used by a taxidermist to advertise his business. Dino, as he is called by locals, is now so close to the side of this expanding road that his head has a habit of being knocked off by passing trucks and has had to be replaced a number of times. In 1998, after having his head smashed, his body bore a sign requesting a “dinosaur repairman”. Over the years he has been painted and repainted. Once he was even a “Barney” look alike.

Friday, April 4, 2008

My Retriever:


Orlando is not your typical lab. Oh sure, he’s the happy-go-lucky, tail wagging, full of life is wonderful exuberance that labs are made of, however, in his nearly 12 years, he has never retrieved a thing. No, not one tennis ball, not one stick, no nothing! In fact, on the numerous times I have tried to teach him to retrieve he looks at me as if to be saying, well if you want it why the heck did you throw it? Leaving me to make the long walk out to the far end of the field to retrieve the tennis ball all while he stands watching me. This wasn't much fun for me, I gave up.

So you can imagine my surprise when the other day, during our walk, when he came running up to me with a stick. Even Murphy seemed surprise and took great interest in Orlando’s treasure. I wondered if Orlando had gone mad, senile, forgetting himself in his old age. Then, upon closer examination I realized, in horror, he had found a bit of venison. Good thing B was there to save me from having to touch it.

Thursday, April 3, 2008

When the Dogs Say Goodnight:

For those who are not aware, B is an “on air personality” at a local radio station. When we first met, I would often call him during his show and request "What A Wonderful World" as this is one of my all time favorite songs. Although, this song is not on his playlist, he would somehow manage to seek it in. Years later, while on one of our long distance road trips, he put in a CD with the song, I’m singing along (which sounds more like a shrieking sound) and get to the words “When the dogs say goodnight”. B bursts out laughing, I think he is amused at my “so called” singing, when he looks at me and says, “The Dark Sacred Night.” Oh, ok then. With dogs being a large part of my life for so many years, and witnessing their evening routine, “When the dogs say goodnight” made perfect sense to me!


...I see skies of blue and clouds of white
The bright blessed day, the dark sacred night
And I think to myself:
"What a wonderful world!"

Wednesday, April 2, 2008

Beeee!

Hey has anyone seen B? Beeeeeeee!
(yes, I do call him B)

Tuesday, April 1, 2008

by Request:

I am the type of people who wants to eat when I'm hungry, in fact I can get pretty ugly; I don't believe in spending hours in the kitchen munching on everything edible while preparing a meal only to gobble up, this prepared meal, in minutes. Several people commented about wanting some of strawberry salad which I pictured . I would like to make it for each of you, however since that is not possible, I share with you what I did. I can't call it a recipe cause I just threw it together, here's what I did;

~ rip open one those salads in a bag,
grab a handful or two, depending on how hungry I am, and put on plate,
wash and eat a few fresh strawberries,
cut up what's left,
sprinkle some of those yummy Ocean Spray cherry favored cranraisin on top,
toss a few walnuts in,
and drown in Wish Bones Light Raspberry Walnut dressing ~ made with extra virgin olive oil ~ oh, I should mention, sometimes it's a pear or apple salad!

the Colors of the Rainbow:

...so pretty in the sky. The day started out cloudy and rainy. Late morning the sun started peeking out, so I gathered up the dogs and headed out to the fields. I’m glad I did.