13-SEP-2016
The Appearance of the Lady
She arrived again the other day, suddenly appearing in our backyard, dancing in the wind with her pink lily-like blossoms, She is Amaryllis belladonna, the Naked Lady. a name inspired by the bare stalk that has no leaves while they are blooming.
This single stalk started out with one flower. It got its second one today, and there are more buds ready to bloom. It started coming up all by itself, we never planted it. But I was thrilled when it first came up three or four years ago. We have watched for it each year since. Again, this year, it didn't disappoint us! What a beautiful flower!
14-SEP-2016
Grocery Shopping
This pair of Greater Yellowlegs looked so beautiful as they waded in Delta Ponds looking for food, at least to me! Not many shorebirds showed up at the Ponds this year, because there isn't much water. But I always keep an eye out for them as I walk there.
Cool Facts from All About Birds:
"Food - Insects, small aquatic and terrestrial invertebrates, small fish, frogs, and occasionally seeds and berries."
"Behavior - Wades in water and picks up prey it sees, sweeps bill side-to-side through water to catch prey by feel."
15-SEP-2016
It's Looking Like Fall in Delta Ponds
The changing of the seasons in Delta Ponds is like the turning of pages in a book about the many faces of the park. I find subjects of interest in all seasons. In this scene, the people walking the path along a pond add an additional touch of color. I was glad to be there, enjoying a walk myself.
16-SEP-2016
The Fascinating Oak Puff Ball
Ever since I was a kid, I have been fascinated by the puff balls I would find under Oak trees. I never did take the time to learn more about them. This one was under a tree in Delta Ponds. When I looked the subject up I learned some amazing things:
"Puffballs on an oak tree come from insects, fungi or bacteria causing round growths on the trees, called galls. Wasp larvae commonly cause oak tree galls. The galls have smooth, hairy or spiny exterior surfaces with puffballs and larvae inside."
17-SEP-2016
Crow Buzzing Peregrine Falcon
Crows are very aggressive birds. They will go after just about any other bird, especially as a flock. I have seen them go after Great Blue Herons, Egrets, Turkey Vultures, and this Peregrine Falcon.
One reason for the crow's aggressiveness is protection of their young, true of most wildlife. When crow babies are fledging and leaving the nest, and can't fly well. So they are vulnerable to predation. They hide in the trees and the parents are very protective of them. They will attack potential predators. But I have seen them individually go after other birds throughout the year.
18-SEP-2016
And Now There Are Three!
On the 13th, I posted the first flower on our Amaryllis belladonna, the Naked Lady. The bare stalk had again come up this year, after first appearing as a volunteer a few years ago. Now there are three beautiful flowers at the top with another bud ready to come out. It is so beautiful I can't resist taking pictures! It rained today, so was nice to have the rain drops on the flowers.
19-SEP-2016
Old Farm and Windmill
I always liked this old farm along McKenzie View Drive for some time, but never stopped to get a photograph of it. It is not an easy place to stop, as indicated in the photo. The road passes right by it but there isn't any place to pull off the road. I parked a ways back from the bend in the road and walked along the road to what I considered a good spot. This is the result. I love that old windmill. The modern road and wires were likely not there when the farm was new, but they are part of the landscape now, so I prefer to leave them. They show the encroachment of the modern world, so that the farm is only a remnant of what it once was.
20-SEP-2016
A Challenge From One Old Coot to Another
It looked like this American Coot was challenging me to try standing on one leg as long as it could. I didn't accept the challenge! No way am I going to embarrass myself by a not so graceful fall on the Delta Ponds walkway! This old guy just isn't that steady on his feet anymore. :) They sure do have interesting feet!
"American Coot Adult - Thick greenish legs and very large feet, Black head and neck, Pointed white bill"
21-SEP-2016
A Happy Accident
Today was one of those days that saw clouds, rain and sun. When we got a cloud burst I stepped out in the carport to see what the sky looked like. The sun started peeking around the clouds and cast some beams at various spots in the sky. I wanted to catch that, the sun, the clouds and the shafts of light. The tree was there, so it had to become a part of the scene. I got everything I was trying to include with the added bonus of the ring of light, a very happy accident. I am sure it was flare caused by that direct sunlight coming from the center directly into the lens. I love it, it gave the picture the focus I wanted! A little rain in one’s life can be a real blessing,
22-SEP-2016
The Sweet Face of Kailey
I went downtown with two granddaughters for a shoot the other day. I posted a shot of Mikayla in her Comic-Con costume. This is a photo of Kailey in front of some glass blocks below City Hall. I like those blocks for a background, except today they have some things under the stairs. Oh well, I still like the photo!
23-SEP-2016
The Wave
As I approached this gas station and noticed the great looking old Chevy pickup, I had my camera on the ready. Seeing that, the driver, who was beginning to pull away, gave me a wave. I thought it was the perfect touch, a great old pickup and a friendly driver. What more could I ask for? :)
24-SEP-2016
Our Friend, The Damselfly
Yes, for very good reason the Damselfly is our friend. What is the reason?
From Wild-Facts.com: "imagine you and your sweetheart are enjoying a nice romantic picnic when all of a sudden you are bombarded by mosquitoes and blackflies. Of course this isn’t very pleasant but Damselflies are doing their best to ensure that your picnic isn’t taken hostage by natures annoying insects. Okay, so maybe they are just hungy and enjoy eating those pesky little bugs, but the end result is still the same….less mosquitoes and blackflies to bother us." See -
http://www.wild-facts.com/2011/wild-fact-553-the-picnic-saviour-damselfly/ Photograph made in Delta Ponds.