More inside stuff…

The last two days have not been photo days, and I have resorted to photographing interesting things (to me) inside the house.

The first is a painting which I purchased in Canada when I was there in either 1999 or 2000 on a “girlfriend” trip with my good friend, Claire. It was purchased from a street vendor, and I was taken with how the geese in this picture were made. I don’t know the procedure, but it’s like the geese were “cut out” giving it a 3 dimensional feeling. It sits in our hallway … and the geese seem to be directing us to the kitchen as we leave the study. Or I think of that every time I face it as I turn into the hallway.

365 photo #57

This next wall hanging, also located in the same hallway, is an image of Kokopelli, the Native American flute player. It’s made of metal, which is painted in turquoise and terracotta colors. It sits out of the wall a little, giving it some depth. I purchased this in a rather touristy gift shop along the Blue Ridge Parkway, but it caught my eye and I knew I had a spot for it. I play the flute, and have always loved the image of Kokopelli.

365 photo #58

For the next few days I will be visiting Claire to help her do some painting in her new house. I will not be the only helper, as there will be a small group of friends helping in this endeavor: “craniacs” — i.e. — those we have met through Operation Migration and Facebook, who care deeply about the endangered whooping crane. It will be an exciting and fun time, and there’s a good chance I won’t be able to post too much while there. There’s a time to live life and a time to write about life, and next week I’ll be doing more of the “living” part! But — the daily photos will be taken – to be posted when I get the time.

Jarvis Creek Park

I wasn’t sure what was going to happen today. After having weather in the mid 70′s for the last few days, last evening we had storms which resulted in the temperature plummeted to the mid 50′s during the day today. In addition, it was windy, and after some brief sunshine, it got cloudy and a bit raw. Ray came back from errands and suggested a walk … somewhere. With the wind and raw weather, I wasn’t in the mood for the beach – so we went to Jarvis Creek Park – which is more inland and “protected”, and would be less windy. This park has a man made lake – surrounded by areas where people can play sports, have picnics, and a path that goes all the way around the lake. It’s an area that provides a good habitat for wildlife, and often there is lots to see and photograph. Best yet – it’s barely 3 miles from our house.

I wrote about Jarvis Creek Park last year during another walk there

My 365 photo will come from this walk – a juvenile ibis. An adult ibis is pure white with the orange beak and legs. The juvenile is brownish

365 photo #56

Lots more was in the park – so there are bonus photos:

1. This is the adult ibis
2. An alligator – who is kind of sunken into the muck along side of the lake. While I was taking the picture I wondered if there was a second gator. After I got the picture onto the computer, I saw the tail and lower end of the gator on the lower left corner of the photo. Looks like a piece of old tire to me! I was surprised to see them out, as they prefer to stay in the water when the weather is colder.

2. An anhinga … swimming with only his neck in view. Looks like a snake – and the word “anhinga” means devil bird or “snake” bird
2. Another anhinga – perched on a branch just above the edge of the lake.

Great egret

Nature walks … Cats and Dogs!

I’ve been busy over the last three days, but the photos have been taken and it’s finally time to post.

I have so many photos to choose from for February 22nd. My childhood friend, Connie visited for a day on her way to be with her daughter and family. I cherish these visits, as we have a lot of history … good history!. We may be separated for a year (or more) at a time, but when we get together, it’s like we never were apart. Conversation flows … and, that’s an understatement! Plus – she travels with her white lab, Maggie. I’ve never been much of a dog person, but Maggie has won over my heart, not to mention that the cats did very well with her. There were a few “fluffed up” kitty moments with minimal hissing, but it was short lived, as Maggie doesn’t chase them. They always have time to quickly retreat to the safety of “high places” in the house.

Connie has a blog, too: View from the Empty Nest. It’s full of insights — the kind that come while walking Maggie! Many are thoughts I’ve always had, but I never “thought” to “think” them! (I know — that doesn’t quite make sense…!) Check it out — it’s a good read!

On the one full day Connie was with us, we looked for “photo ops” in beautiful spots, both at home and in the neighborhood. First there were some photo ops right on our lagoon. Then we went into Whooping Crane Conservancy. After a quick lunch, we took Maggie for a walk on Boneyard beach. As we drove there, we made a stop along the side of the road where there’s another lagoon and aquatic life often hang out. As I type, I still can’t decide which photo will be chosen for this. All I know is that I will include several bonus photos!

Ok – - here we go — an alligator in the swamp inside Whooping Crane Conservancy:

365 photo #53

And — of course there will be some bonus photos:

1. fall foliage lives on inside the Whooping Crane Conservancy…!
2. Ibis well hidden in the brush in Whooping Crane Conservancy

1. Ibis on the lagoon at home
2. I wonder what those cormorants see??

1. Anhinga – drying it’s wings
2. Maggie — such a sweet white lab — on the beach!

Connie left first thing the next morning – but I kind of remained sluggish, and didn’t get out for photos. Suddenly it was 10 p.m. and I hadn’t even picked up my camera – so yesterday’s photo is a wall hanging — something my son gave to me for Christmas one year. I love the haggard expression the kitty. Reminds me of me when I’m not in a good mood! When I was younger I had a photo copy of this picture taped to my refrigerator, which said “I have a handgun and PMS, any questions”. Kind of said it all!

365 photo #54

Today I looked to our cats for the photo. The weather started out ok, but it’s now reduced to rumbling thunderstorms and tornado watches…. This is Felix — “birding and squirreling” behind the draperies!:

365 photo #55

Bonus photo: On Tuesday night I won honorable mention in the camera club competition – category “windows”. It’s the first ever ribbon for me:

This isn’t the EXACT photo I submitted as it had to be resized just slightly for printing, and I enhanced the saturation a small amount, as well.

You will know me by my decor…!

As I sit and wait for a good friend to arrive, I will post my days 365 photo. I didn’t go out and chase down photos of living things – plant or animal. Instead, today’s photo is of inside things. it’s a bird that will remain incredibly still while I focus. I love my stained glass…!

365 photo #52

Bonus photo:

guest bathroom kitty switch plate. While I was cleaning it for my guest who is arriving in only moments, I snapped this photo.

Now — time to have fun!!

“Big Blue” – and – A View from Inside

I’m beginning to worry that my pictures will start to get boring, as I repeatedly use the same subjects for my photos. I realize that’s an occupational hazard if one is taking photos every day. Yesterday’s photo is one of these times, as I — yet again — have a photo of a great blue heron. These majestic birds seem to be the ones populating our lagoon area the most. And, they seem to be the easiest to photograph as they aren’t as skittish. We do have ibis, egrets, and, of course those ospreys who are repairing their nest in preparation for eggs. And – I could also take a photo of a “crow-a-day” if wanted.

This great blue heron was not up a tree as the one of a few days ago. Instead, he was standing on one end of our lagoon – fishing – intently – as they usually are. I decided to quietly walk closer to him – as close as he’d allow, and took photos periodically as I got nearer. He was so engrossed on finding “dinner”, that he wasn’t paying much attention to me, and was able to get close enough so that he’s large in my photo.

365 photo #50

Bonus photos:

1. This is the edge of the lagoon shoreline where are back yard faces.
2. Another shot of “Big Blue” (as I call him)

Today I was not in the mood for photography, and the day got away from me. Guess I was kind of sluggish about a lot of things, as I accomplished little, except to get a photo print matted, and it’s digital equivalent electronically submitted for the camera club competition tomorrow. (I have never mounted or matted a photos, so I hope I did it ok.)

Suddenly it was dusk, and I had not taken a photo, so I quickly snapped this of our dining area off the kitchen. This is the lagoon view from two of the five sliding glass doors which face that way. Oh yes … I know we are blessed!

365 photo #51

A Great Blue Heron – so high up!

What a change only a few hours can make. This morning, the sun was shining brightly without a cloud in the sky. Now it’s cloudy, raw and damp, and even though the temperature has not really fallen, it feels cooler because of the dampness. I should have gone out this morning in the sunlight to scout out a photo – but didn’t – and was left with what is. But – I was rewarded, anyway. I went outside and stood quietly with my camera – listening. There was a woodpecker … somewhere … working feverishly on some dead part of a tree. I never did find him. Many songbirds with their tell tale calls had me looking here and there for their presence, but they stayed well hidden. There was a coot and a grebe on the lagoon – but very far away. An occasional bird would fly to the feeder from some unknown location, but would quickly fly back, probably because of my presence. I shivered … I’d forgotten to put on a jacket….

Then – I looked up … and there he was — a gorgeous great blue heron high up in one of our pine trees, and he stayed long enough for me to get a few photos of him. He will be today’s photo of the day:

365 photo #49

Bonus photo — another view of him:

Life by the lagoon…

There was a brief break in the clouds today, and I took advantage when I noticed a great blue heron intently fishing by the side of the lagoon. It was close enough to the house for me to creep up on him to get more of a close up. I got him opening his mouth — not sure why — but it was right before he took off. I probably got too close…

365 photo #48

Two bonus photos:

1. The great blue heron flies away. This is best seen at “original size” – so click to see it in Flickr
2. Update on the daffodils. they are blooming – but not as well as last year. The other, larger patch of daffodils are not blooming at all, and I wonder if the squirrels are getting the blooms as fast as they come out! It looks like the blooms have been “nipped” off… In this photo you can see the lagoon in the background

Whooping Crane Conservancy and more things inside.

Yesterday I had a chance to take photos outside of the house. The weather has been cloudy for the past few days, but there was this window of opportunity and my friend and I went to the Whooping Crane Pond Conservancy to see what was inside. There wasn’t much in the way of wildlife – except for a little gecko. We could hear interesting, and unique (to me) bird calls.

The 365 photo for today is a photo of a dragon fly wing that my friend found. It seemed to be a fun object to experiment with some macro photogrpahy on top of the boardwalk railing… It’s so intricate!

365 photo #46

Bonus photos:

1. Interesting shadows of plantlife and an odd root system in the algae laden swamp
2. the little gecko. Not the best photo of him, but he slipped away before I could get another.

Today the weather (up until now – the sun is peaking out now!) has been cloudy with rain. So — it was inside photos for today. This is a “floral” painted porcelain cat which I purchased quite a few years ago because it reminded me of my mother in law’s paper mache floral kitty which I loved so much, which was the 365 photo #41. I have it placed in the same spot where my mother in law had her paper mache kitty when she lived here — on top of the breakfast bar counter.

The little kitties next to the floral cat are actually tiny boxes. The head (or top of the body) comes off to reveal a place to store something very tiny!

365 photo #47

Cat decor… and Love

Question: How many cats figurines can one person have to decorate a house.

Answer: As many as they want!

For yesterday’s photo of the day, I took a photograph of one of my favorite kitty items – - some “rock cats” — i.e. — cats painted on river rocks. I found these in a shop here in Hilton Head, and then more of them in a shop on River Street in Savannah. Each and every time I visited these stores, I *had* to purchase at least one — first for me, and then for my friend, Claire, who ended up loving them as much as I did. In fact, she puts one of the smaller rock kitties into her manger scene. I even put one in Ray’s Christmas stocking one year!

They weren’t horribly expensive – the little ones going for only (about) $10., and the larger, more intricately painted ones for maybe $35. or $40. Each and every one has the words “Lats Cats” painted on the bottom of the rock kitty.  I finally asked one of the shop keepers who the artist was. According to her, she was from some place in New York state (I can’t remember where at this point), and she collected the rocks from rivers in that area. However, she also had a home on Hilton Head Island, which is why they were being sold in this area.

I am sure I kept this artist in business, as I have so many — and so does Claire, for that matter. However, as suddenly as we found them, they just as suddenly disappeared — sold out — and no more were forthcoming. The shop in Hilton Head ultimately changed hands, and I have no clue if there are any more anywhere else. These are my rock cats that live here in Hilton Head:

365 photo #44

Today is Valentine’s Day – and the photo for today is to wish everyone a most happy and loving day.  I know this day can be a difficult one if we are not where we would like to be in our relationships – whether they be with a spouse, parent, child, or friend. But – I have this mug, a close-up which is today’s 365 photo, purchased a few years ago from Starbucks. It always makes me happy whether or not other things are going well for me in my “love life”. It is a white mug with only one red painted heart with many etched hearts all around it. *I* have one heart to give, if only I will open it – and be vulnerable to both giving and receiving love and caring. I have my morning coffee in this mug on Valentine’s Day — but also on many other days of the year, as well.  As I sip, I encourage myself to open my heart:

365 photo #45

More in the House…

This is not an exciting entry today, as I didn’t spend too much time taking photos today. The mood wasn’t there. Again, however, that is the essence of this 365 challenge – - to be able to do this, and to be creative despite “the blahs”.

Today’s photo is of a pretty clear glass ball with interesting “bubbles” inside of it that I have sitting on a bedside table. It sits on a green tile, which reflects into the glass ball, turning it green, too! It makes it a fun decorating item – as I can change it’s color depending upon where I have it sitting!

365 photo #43