Day 418

While we were traveling from Philadelphia, PA to Richmond, VA, the clouds were beautiful and fluffy. I took photos of these amazing clouds while riding in the car. Some of them come out as a complete surprise, as photographing while not looking at my view finder (camera pointed up at the sky and sun) and in a moving car is difficult.

Day 383

Today, there was a hawk hunting squirrels. While it was resting on a tree branch, I took a few photos. This was the best photo.

Day 330

Today, my husband drove our daughter and me to Philadelphia, PA for the weekend. After checking in early and a nap, we walked around the city. We eventually took a trip across the river to Camden, NJ. They have a great aquarium there. However, you won't see any photos of aquarium creatures, because that would be cheating.

Along our walk, we went to Rittenhouse square. We watched the pigeons walk around and a guy balance things on his chin.

We stopped in another park along the way. There were many of these little birds on the ground, eating.

While walking, John choose the aquarium as our destination and found out we could take a ferry from Philly to the aquarium in Camden. The aquarium is along the water, so the ferry ride is straight across from Penn's Landing.

Along the bridge to Penn's landing, there are beautiful flowers.

The bridge goes over the interstate.

Penn's Landing holds concerts during the summer. This area had two pergolas. Resting on top of them, were many pigeons.

After the aquarium, I spotted this monarch butterfly flying from flower to flower. 

Day 328

Today, there were many little birds flying around from tree to tree. This is cute, but hard to photograph, as they are quick and like ADD people...can't stay in one place for long. I was able to photograph this one bird from below. Not a very clear photo, but the bird belly is cute.

Day 232

Today Alex and I went to the pool.

There are hawks that live in our forest and marsh area.

Day 170

Today, we started our 9 day vacation. We left at 4am. The first leg stretching stop was in SC at a rest stop with a welcome center.

For lunch, we went to Uncle Buba's in Savannah, GA. Then, we walked around Forsyth Park before embarking on the next part of our long drive for the day.

These small birds were eating from the grass along the street we parked on.

The sun was shining bright through the oak trees. Oak trees by the ocean are different than those by us. Salt water causes the tree branches to twist as they grow. They also have Spanish moss growing on them. This is common along the Southern coast.

This pet bunny was relaxing in the busy park. It was on a leash and wasn't nervous around the large amount of people at the chalk festival. Since it's a pet, it doesn't fit with my normal wild creatures. However, it was surprisingly very calm for a bunny in a busy park with lots of dogs.

We headed to Jacksonville, FL for the evening. After checking into our hotel at the Mayo Clinic (I kid you not), we headed for the near by beach.

Like most beaches, there were seagulls. I love the reflective qualities of the water on the sand.

John found this on the beach. John thinks it's a jelly fish. I thought it might be a boob implant.. I know, I'm the gorey one. Either way, it was neat looking. I wasn't allowed to poke it.

The receding water caused ripples in the sand. Darker sand was deposited in the valleys of the ripples. Because the wet sand was so reflective, the setting sun glowed brightly on it.

This is what the sand looks like as it absorbs the remaining receding water.

This is what the sand looks like from being walked on by many people. It's like small dunes.

While walking back to the car, I saw these tall pink flowers...

...and these cactus flowers.

We wanted to eat dinner at the beach. An irony of Jacksonville is all the bars that line the beach. Given that the Mayo Clinic (best known as an addiction rehab) is located in Jacksonville, FL, the large amount of bars must keep them in business with some locals too. Since, we couldn't find a suitable place at the beach to eat dinner with Alex, we went in search of somewhere else. On the way to find a suitable spot, I took a photo of the setting sun. We found Gumbo Yaya. It's a small place with wonderful New Orleans food. Very delicious and worth the search.

Day 161

Today's photos were taken looking out through some windows in my house.

I woke up to foggy bedroom windows. Since the dogwood and other trees have new growth, I though this fog would make a nice natural defuser. 

I looked down on the bedroom window sill, to see this little ant. I took it's photo before smooshing it. We have an ant problem every Spring and Summer. Sadly, I have to smoosh all of the ants I find, so less come in.

This is a Common Redpole chirping in Crape Myrtle tree. 

This colorful insect was on the living room window.

Later in the evening, a large moth graced Pippi and I with it's presence. I wasn't able to take a clear photo of it, because it was moving quickly and taking clear insect photos at night is hard work. I like the moth shadow this photo shows with the moth.

This is my fuzzy moth hunting assistant Pippi with her "prey".

This insect was clinging to the window. It stayed still for a while, until I started taking photos. Flash bothers insects, but it's the only way I can take clear insect photos at night.

Day 123

I took a walk in our section, looking for new flowers that have bloomed.

These blue flowers bloomed in my neighbor's garden.

This Robin was among the purple flowers in my yard.

This plant has started to open up it's blooms.

The white flower was looking outwards.

My Camellia has new blooms.

The first Daffodil finally opened.

There are a few little purple shoots growing here. I don't know what kind of plant these will be.

This little insect was moving around on the ties.

These pink flowers are covering this tree.

More pink flowers on the same tree.

These pink flowers bloomed on this bush.