Hooded Merganser Couple

No road is long with good company.

~Turkish Proverb

Another walk down memory lane. I had to crop these really closely so they aren't the greatest of shots - and I guess that's why I didn't post them back in March of 2010 when I took them. My first and only sighting of Hooded Mergansers.

A Muskrat Gathers Grass

More shots from the archives - May 2009. As I took this trip down memory lane, I recalled My First and Only (so far) Muskrat Encounter

This is the same image as the top one - just cropped a little closer so you can see the grasses in his mouth. I assume he was taking these for food for his little ones OR for building a nest.

I posted about this muskrat earlier on my blog - HERE he is coming up out of the water prior to gathering the grass - You can even see the duckweed on his face :)

HERE - he is back in the water with his mouth full of the grass

Visit Camera Critters - HERE - to see some Cool Critter shots.

Great Blue Heron Strikes a Pose

Miracles come in moments. Be ready and willing.

Wayne Dyer

I count these little glimpses into nature as daily miracles. There was a time when I would not stand still and look but hurry past. Thankfully not any more.

Have a Miraculous Day!

Great Blue Heron - One Step At A Time

A close up of the Great Blue Heron walking up the tree branch

A view with the GBH and the tree.

There is no one giant step that does it. It’s a lot of little steps.

~ Peter A. Cohen

About the Image: Taken 12-26-11 Izaak Walton Park - Christiansburg, VA

Misty Dawn Hosts Camera Critters - HERE

Skywatch Friday - Great Blue Heron In Flight

Be like the bird in flight . . . pausing a while on boughs too slight, feels them give way beneath her, yet sings knowing yet, that she has wings.

— Victor Hugo

About the Image: Taken 12-26-11 - Izaak Walton Park

Visit Skywatch Friday - HERE

Hearts in Nature - Frosted Heart

A kind heart is a fountain of gladness making everything in its vicinity freshen into smiles. ~Washington Irving

About the image: Seen during a morning walk 12-03-11 - Izaak Walton Park

Lisa hosts Macro Monday - HERE

Wispy Dandelion - Macro Monday

What is a weed? A plant whose virtues have not yet been discovered.

Ralph Waldo Emerson

About the Image: Dandelion Pappus - 12-03-11 Izaak Walton Park - Christiansburg, VA

I didn't know what the little "wispy" part of the dandelion was called. I looked it up and Wikipedia tells me that it is called a Pappus (Pappi would be the plural).

"feathery bristles of the pappus function as a "parachute" which enables the seed to be carried by the wind" I LOVE learning new things!

For More Macro Monday shots - Visit LISA - HERE

Dark-eyed Junco - Blowing in the Wind

Don't ever save anything for a special occasion. Being alive is the special occasion.

~Author Unknown

About the image: I always seem to give "my" birds human characteristics. This one reminded me of the famous Marilyn Monroe image with the white dress blowing.

Taken 11-05-11 Izaak Walton Park, Christiansburg, Virginia.

About the quote: It doesn't really have anything to do with the image - but reminds me that each day we live on this wonderful planet is a blessing!

The Dew Of Little Things

In the sweetness of friendship let there be laughter, and sharing of pleasures. For in the dew of little things the heart finds its morning and is refreshed.

~Kahlil Gibran

About the image: Taken 05-21-11 - Izaak Walton Park - Christiansburg, VA

I am unsure of the bug ID. I was really happy to capture him among the dew.

Carolina Chickadee and How to Change The World

Carolina Chickadee - Izaak Walton Park - Christiansburg, VA - 10-22-11

My friends, love is better than anger. Hope is better than fear. Optimism is better than despair. So let us be loving, hopeful and optimistic. And we'll change the world.

~Jack Layton

Hummingbird Dance

On with the dance! Let joy be unconfined.

~Lord Byron

They weren't really dancing but it sure was FUN to watch.

Green Heron and His Reflection

Once you really commence to see things, then you really commence to feel things.

- Edward Steichen

Green Heron - 09-17-11 - Izaak Walton Park - Christiansburg, VA

Monarch Caterpillar - Look at those Legs!

At first I thought of caterpillar "feet" and then I saw this diagram of a caterpillar's anatomy - HERE - and I see that they are legs. The lighting isn't all that great in this pic - but I thought it was cool how he was holding on upside down.

Saturday - 08-20-11 - Izaak Walton Park - Christiansburg, VA

Learn to be quiet enough to hear the genuine within yourself so that you can hear it in others.

-Marian Wright Edelman

Ladybug - Kissed by the Morning Dew

When you rise in the morning, give thanks for the light, for your life, for your strength. Give thanks for your food and for the joy of living. If you see no reason to give thanks, the fault lies in yourself.

~Tecumseh

Ladybug shot yesterday morning - 08-20-11 - with the morning dew.

Izaak Walton Park - Christiansburg, VA

Friends - Thanks so much for stopping by! I appreciate you!!

The Daisy and The 'Did

To get through the hardest journey we need take only one step at a time, but we must keep on stepping. ~Chinese Proverb

Lizard Looking at Me

There are more experiences in life than you’d think for which there are no words.

~Anita Shreve

It was THRILLING to see this lizard with a blue belly/throat on the outside wall of an old shed. If you know the ID - please leave a comment and let me know.

White Butterfly - Wednesday Wings

Most men pursue pleasure with such breathless haste that they hurry past it.

~Soren Kierkegaard
I think this is a Cabbage White Butterfly (please correct me if I am wrong). Seen during my walk -Izaak Walton Park - Christiansburg, VA - 07-02-11

Little Things

Never neglect the little things. Never skimp on that extra effort, that additional few minutes, that soft word of praise or thanks, that delivery of the very best that you can do. It does not matter what others think, it is of prime importance, however, what you think about you. You can never do your best, which should always be your trademark, if you are cutting corners and shirking responsibilities. You are special. Act it. Never neglect the little things.

Og Mandino

A Damselfly from my walk 07-02-11

Education of the Senses

We cannot create observers by saying "observe," but by giving them the power and the means for this observation and these means are procured through education of the senses. ~Maria Montessori

Milkweed Beetle seen 07/02/11 - Izaak Walton Park - Christiansburg, VA

Cattail In the Breeze

Then followed that beautiful season... Summer....

Filled was the air with a dreamy and magical light; and the landscape

Lay as if new created in all the freshness of childhood.

~Henry Wadsworth Longfellow