Overflow Seating
Every spring we look forward to the return of bluebirds and tree swallows. We have next boxes around the edges of our yard to encourage homesteading. It’s always a treat to see them building their nests and then watch as the eggs hatch and the babies develop.
This is a view inside a nest box claimed by Eastern Bluebirds. These baby bluebirds are becoming quite cramped in the small confines of the nest box. Though you can’t see all of them, there are five youngsters piled on top of each other. In a short time (I’m guessing a week or less), they will leave the nest.
When looking in on this crowd, we had to be sure none of them spilled out…which they almost did.
To get a better, larger view of these babes, click on the photo.
Lake Effects
Apple Blossom Time
It’s A Spring Thing
End of the Road
Meeting of the Ferns
This is an interesting study in natural design and form. These are bracken ferns in the early stages of their season. I found these on a recent springtime walk through the woods.
Like a flower blooming, these ferns uncurl upward and spread their fronds. In a couple of weeks, they will cover the forest floor with lush, green foliage.
To get a closer look, click on the photo and a larger version will open.
Horizontal Rainbow
The early morning hours is the best time to catch a sky full of color. The best moment is just before the sunrise.
This is the beauty I found this morning at Kewaunee, WI. The time-stamp from the camera reads 4:49 am. Sunrise was at 5:09 am.
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Heavy Lifting Morels
These are morel mushrooms. I photographed them just as I found them. As you can see, they were growing in a rocky area. It seems, as they grew, they picked up a couple of stones between them. They remind me of a pair of hands with mittens reaching up from the rocks.
Morels are edible and highly prized by their culinary fans. My wife is a true fan…as in fanatic. Her passion lies as much (or more) in finding them than eating them. It’s hard to keep her out of the woods this time of year.
To view a larger version of this image, click on the photo.
Simple Pleasures
Siblings
On my way to an appointment, I happened to pass by a small pond in the city. I was running a little early so I stopped for a moment to snap a few frames of the new arrivals.
It’s hard to find anything cuter than newly hatched ducklings. These are your basic, wild, mallard variety babies. They just stepped out of the water so they’re still a bit damp.
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