124/241 + 1

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!

229/136

You're never to old to splash in rain puddles.

Happy  Birthday Phriend !!

225/140

123/242

The Spring migration is only a few weeks away. This morning I went to the refuge to see if there were any early arrivals. There were not and I will have to wait a week or two before this stopping ground becomes a furry of feathered friends. I did have the pleasure of witnessing a Bald Eagle having breakfast. However, he didn't get the memo informing him, I only have a 300mm. Perhaps next time he would be kind enough to carry the fish over a little closer, which would enable me to get some better shots, or perhaps I should just rent the 500mm.

122/243

It is my day.

 My day to celebrate and do what I want.

 I plan on spending it with family and friends, talking and laughing, and eating cupcakes and ice cream.

Yes, it is my day.

Join in the Marco Monday fun over @ Lisa's Chaos.

43/322

B has been immensely supportive and extremely patient with me while I undertake Project 365. Rarely does he see me without a camera in my hand, around my neck, pointing one at his face or packing it up for the ready to go.

Today we had the day off together, the first in several weeks. I decided to start ♥ Valentine’s weekend by giving him the gift of my full attention and a full view of my face. We went for an afternoon drive, ending up at Cracker Barrel for lunch and with tempertures finally above freezing, we strolled around The Promenade, home of our local LL Bean store.

Since the project started, today is the first day I have not taken a photo. Yes, not even one. Hence this was taken on a previous day. Admittedly, I am going through withdrawal. Do you think he’ll notice if I sleep with my camera under my pillow tonight?

ISO1600, f/13, 1/40

Weekend Snapshot:

My birthday with a side of studying for my calculus final.

A Gift from Mother Nature:

When I moved to this area of Jersey, more than 30 years ago, there were few homes and even fewer businesses. We had the privilege to having plenty of open space. This land was filled with many varies of wildflowers. Tigerlilies lined the streets and wisteria decorated many trees and structures. Perhaps because lilacs are one of my favorite flowers and because it graces me with its presents at the time of my birthday, it was among one of flowers I noticed all those years ago. Standing at the end of my block was one beautiful large lilac bush. As the years have passed, many of the wooded lots have been replaced with homes, large box stores and strip malls, but this lilac bush as been spared and, in fact, has thrived. It now stands easily over 12 feet tall and no less than 20 feet around. No picture I could take would show its grand size. Each year I think about taking a few clippings, however I never do, always thinking, if everyone clipped just one flower, no one would be able to enjoy the beauty of this giant with the hundreds of fragrant blooms. Even in a gentle breeze the aroma can be detected for what seems a mile away.

Our town is undergoing a major growth spurt and I fear “my” birthday bush will soon fall victim to a bulldozer. Last evening under the cover of dark, B, LW and I, with pruners in hand, walked down to this beauty and in what seemed like a quite ceremony cut several blooms. I fear it will be the last year I receive the gift of sweet beauty from this flora.