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a glorious morning at the beach

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I’ve been busy helping dear friends of mine move into their new home. After being out of the area for just about a year now, they made the decision to return. I could not be happier. So for good reason, I have not picked up my camera for several day now and I found I am suffering the effect of photo withdrawal.

Last evening I stopped by the river to take a few quick shots. The air and water were calm and the river was quiet, now absent from the Memorial Day weekender. After a quick stroll along the docks, I headed back to join in the 87th Birthday of my friend.

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Black Crown Night Heron on the hunt.

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the other B

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Another day of thick gray fog.

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I played hookie from work today and on this rainy afternoon I decided to spend this found time renewing my spirit by taking drive over to the local lighthouse. I have several “challenges” to catch up on and thought of no place I would rather spend this dark, wet afternoon. With the unofficial start of the summer season, on this Memorial Day, the traffic lights will be turned back on and the cars with parade bumper to bumper down Ocean Blvd. Today maybe have been my last chance to take advantage of the empty roads and enjoy the peace of no vacationers. While I certainly have 100s if not 1000s of photos of this Lighthouse, I have none of it in the rainy droplets until now.

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A quiet evening at the bay.

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my what big eyes you have!

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I had an early shift at work today. With each passing hour the day was becoming more pleasant, the temperature was rising and the humidity stayed low. I yearn for my work day to be over so I could get out and enjoy what was shaping up to be a perfect 10 day.

My shift was over. I raced home and bribed B (with a dinner out) to come along on a visit to one of the local Osprey nests. He was thrilled to go. He came along and after a great prime rib dinner and some shared stories of the day, we drove over to the park. The Osprey were busy fishing for their dinner and this bandit was busy stealing someone elses.

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We were awaken at 5 a.m. by the sound of rain hammering the roof. Once the puppies heard us stir we knew our day was off to a start. Thirty minutes later the pups were had been outed, watered, and fed and the rains had subsided. The decision was made to check on the Spring migration.

After stopping for a quick bagel to go, we were on the road heading south. The day started to lighten from the rising sun only to reveal a dense fog. We continued on our way.

Upon arrival at Forsythe the air was moist and thick with no-see-ums and pine flies. The grounds and skies were absent of avian. Oh sure, the usual mass number of red wings were clinging to the reeds, the peeps were digging for their breakfast, which lay hidden under the tar like mud, and the occasional yellow throat could be seen flitting about. The Osprey lay low in their nests with only the top of their heads visible through the heavy fog, there were no Egrets on the hunt and we spied only two terns sitting guard on their posts.

What we did find, were unusual number of turtle strolling along the roads edge and to our eyes delight a massive number of spider webs woven between the reeds and fencing. With the moisture from the earlier rains and the light from the morning sun, they appeared as jeweled lace.
    

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taking a stroll before dinner

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This morning I awoke at the crack of dawn and in between the raindrops 

 headed off to one of my favorite places to see who was in town.

This American Goldfinch was out with his bride looking for some breakfast.

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Yesterday was one of the first really warm spring days. While I was quite warm, the puppies in attendance at the baseball game were down right hot. The league and stadium played the perfect hosts; placing big bucket of water in several places and filling a kiddie pool to act as a puppy cooling station.

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While to do enjoy watching and going to baseball games, I don't often to either. Today our puppy raiser club sponsored a trip to one of the local minor league games. It offered great exposure to noises, smells and people. It was difficult for our little quadrapedals to ignore the peanuts, popcorn and Cracker Jacks.

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One of my flickr group challenges this week was bottle. I had in my mind’s eye what I wanted the photo to look like; a black and white of milk spilling from my old creamer bottle. This morning I had some time to play around with setting it up and shooting. I was able to achieve the look I wanted but I guess I should have dusted the bottle off first.

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I have hear many people mention they would never bring their camera to the beach for fear of getting sand in it. I figure, if I live at the beach and that is where I enjoy taking many of my photos, what good is a camera I can't take with me.

Well, I did get sand in my new 7000 and had to take it in to be cleaned out. It's been a long two days without. Finally today I dug out my 5000 to try and ease the pain of withdrawal.

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Last Friday I witnessed a sight I had never seen. As a result of the warmer than usual winter and spring, the insect population has been and will continue to be on the rise this summer. Fortunately, along with the tick and other biting pests, the butterfly population has exploited. Thousands of Red Admiral butterflies hatched and had taken flight. The sky was full of fluttering. I, however, was at work and could only witness this through the windows. I suppose I could have run outside for a moment or two but, wouldn't you know, I did not have my camera with me. By the time my shift was over I find not a one Admiral in the air. Having off yesterday, I drove to the local butterfly garden to see if they had taken up residence there. I did see a few but not many. This monarch catch my attention and was having a grand time flitting among the milkweed and thistle.

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Blogger has decided to play nice again and let me back into my account.

I didn't pay the $5 fee for expanded space and yet it has allowed me to upload and publish.

Today I am thankful for the little things.

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Sleeping in after the storms last evening kept us awake.

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Willow putting on her "I am not a baby, why am I behind the fence" face.
Run on over to Camera Critters to other cute critters.

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I went to visit our local Humane Society, which also serves as a Animal Refuge for wildlife that are sick, elderly, abandoned , abused, or injured, and which could no longer survive in its natural habitat.  I am not certain who was watching who.

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The only thing better than an unexpected visit from your son,

is a visit from him when he saws up to beautiful flowers and an ice cream cake!

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Still working on the shed project, so not much time for photography.

But I do love the sight of my husband working on his "honey do" list.

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So while the family was busy working on the shed project, I was busy taking photos.

Someday they'll be glad I did. LOL!