This and that

Some days just turn goofy. I saw a one-second wren, one-second brown thrasher, one-second hummer. That translates into there-and-then-not-there, no pictures. But seeing is nicer than not seeing.

Along the way it was possible to photograph another monarch chrysalis, a gorgeous differential grasshopper, the raccoon giving his (her?) tail some air, and an I-don't-know-what guy in a mask. Sometimes it's more interesting not to ask what's going on.

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Odd lot day

Some days there just isn't much to see. Fortunately I met up with my pal, Sarah Elliott. She's a wonderful teacher. Off we went to see the hop tree. I expected to see a tree hopping, but that wasn't the case. This short tree/ shrub is common and is called the hop tree because the fruit of the tree used to be used in making beer. It's startling appearance now is not the shrub itself, but the hop tree bugs. The white stuff on all branches is hop tree bug eggs and the black spots are the hop tree bug army protecting the eggs. Nothing hopped. Then we went off to the Shakespeare Garden. The "ornament" is not an ornament. It's a monarch butterfly chrysalis. It should hang there all winter with luck. Finally on the way out of the park I saw a pine warbler. I wanted to see hummingbirds. Instead I got an education in bugs.

It didn't roar

Yesterday was the day for small critters, first the hummers and then the tiniest mouse I ever did meet. Adorable. And dumb!! This mouse missed the lesson on how to take cover. It sunned itself on the path and ate bits under the wood chips. It didn't have a care about gigantic humans. It nibbled its way along the weeds, left side of path, crossover, right side of path, joggers, hikers, tourists, and one totally unconcerned mousekin. It got photographed with cameras and cell phones. I'm glad it's been memorialized because chances are very good that this whimsical critter will become owl supper.

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Once in a lifetime

I don't think I'll ever get an opportunity like this again. All the parts came together.... the light, the blossoms, the hungry hummingbird, being in the right place at the right time. A miracle!

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Prayer answered

This past week was intense.... stressful, long hours, hard work,.... so this morning's wish was to go to the park and find a hummingbird.

There's a God. Not only did I see hummingbirds, a photo op presented itself. Perfection. The blog will only include a few images. More will follow. (I've got a work load that requires attention, but didn't want to delay posting a tidbit of today's fun.) I also met a mouse, the cutest, tiniest, most dimwitted mouse. Mouse pictures will also follow in next blog.

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Yippety doo dah doo !!!

Hope springs eternal. I went to the park from 11am till noon, fingers crossed. I needed a successful hummer photo op to make the rest of the week go well. Not the best results, but something is better than nothing and this was the first time I ever saw a hummer snagging gnats, tongue out. Focus slightly off, but you can see it. Mighty tiny gems. Ah, I'll smile for the rest of the week.

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Roaming

I won't get back to the park until Sunday- heavy shooting schedule for the rest of the week. I'll think pretty natural thoughts in order to remain sane. Still no new hummingbird images.

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