My Dogs Keep Me Sane

Saturday, January 28, 2012

Sparrows & Snow ~ Camera-Critters #199

You seemed to like my photo of the American Tree Sparrow in last week's Camera-Critters. So, I thought I'd share another photo of a sweet little Tree Sparrow, who was hanging out by the pond.

I've got another update for any of you who actually enjoy my constant wonder at the strange weather we've had all winter. Thursday, we got up to 51 degrees. Hubs had stayed home from work to work cattle that day, and he said the weather was awesome. Yesterday, while at work, Hubs called and told me that I may want to start heading home. I asked why, and he said it was snowing and starting to stick on the roads. So, even though there was absolutely no snow at work, I headed home. Boy, was I glad I did! All of a sudden I found the snow and was glad I was driving in it then, rather than later when it was worse on the roads. Now, it looks like a winter wonderland outside. You know how when there's a fairly big snow, if you stand outside, you can hear every little noise? Well, so does Maggie May, who is currently out there barking at every noise she hears. She's giving me a Houston migraine (that's a migraine the size of Houston, for those of you who don't know).

Anyway... That's my weather update for the week. Back to our regularly scheduled program...

Sunday, January 22, 2012

The Colors of a Leaf

Nature will bear the closest inspection.

She invites us to lay our eye level with her smallest leaf,

and take an insect view of its plain.
Henry David Thoreau

Flowers in Winter

Winter is here. Mother Nature has been teasing us a bit with above-normal temperatures for this time of year. Those above-normal temperatures spoiled us and cause the 'normal' temperatures, which we have now, to seem extra cold.

Winter is here now, though. Time for sweaters and winter coats, wood burners and laboratory furnaces, ice scrapers and plows, snow and...

flowers???

(Hey, you'll never hear me complain about

finding flowers in the middle of winter!)

To join in on this meme, which is full of beauty, click on the badge.

Saturday, January 21, 2012

It's All A Blur

I was getting ready to delete this image, as it is obviously ummmm... how would you say it? BLURRY!!! Yeah, that's a bit obvious; You didn't need me to tell you that, did you?

However, just as I was beginning to hit the delete key, something stopped me. Yes, it's obviously a photo that deserves to go to the trash bin... but... I dunno... something stopped me, and I kept it. Why? I dunno. But, I kept it.

So, this is what happens when

you quickly try to pan an owl,

who just took flight, and

well, you get just a big ol' mess of an image.

I guess I did capture motion, eh?

This photo is obviously, Straight Out Of the Camera!

On another note, I'm considering purchasing a flowering plant, so I'll have something to photograph during the months when I'm stuck inside. However, I don't really have a green thumb. So, what are your suggestions? Does anyone have any experience with orchid plants? I think Orchids are very unique and beautiful, and I'm wondering if someone who doesn't have the best of luck with plants would be able to make an Orchid thrive? Yes, I'm good with bugs, wildflowers, and wildlife, but lacking in the indoor plants department!

Ice Swimming ~ Camera-Critters #198

We've had an amazing and unique winter this year. I think in the past three weeks we probably broke the records for high temperatures at least three times.

In fact, on Monday, we got up to 66 degrees in our part of Missouri! No, that is NOT a typo!!! The next day, however, the high was 26. Yeah, a 40-degree difference is a bit much.

Anyway, when it was in the 60s on Monday, I, of course, couldn't pass up the opportunity to take a couple walks. Obviously, you won't be getting any hockey trophies on our pond yet, as the ice isn't stable. There is, however, some ice formed. This first photo is of some activity under the ice.

Hello Muskrat!