butterflies, bees & birds

01.29.15 = Gottcha'! This little Downy Woodpecker has been hanging around the bird feeder the past few weeks. It seems every time I ran and grabbed my camera, he took off. Almost like he knew I had a camera. Well, I finally got him. He's a quick little guy, so I'm glad I got one in focus through a rainy window. I love the little tiny water droplet on his head. "Adopt the pace of nature: her secret is patience." Ralph Waldo Emerson

Window Oberservations

01.08.15 = Defense With his food supply quickly disappearing, Mr. Robin is becoming much more aggressive in protecting his turf. Yesterday, a dreaded gang Starlings showed up and began stripping his tree of it's remaining berries. He chased them around the tree one at a time from branch to branch. It was exhausting just watching him. I put some more seed out for the Chickadee's and Cardinal's with hopes of distracting the Starlings a bit. It worked however, Mr. Robin was determined to run the Starling gang off no matter what they feeding on. He finally got some relief when Mr. Cardinal and a pair of Blue Jays showed up to assist in the banishment of this transient gang. I will keep you apprised of any new developments in this on-going battle for berries turf war. "The harder you work, the harder it is to lose." unknown

08.04.14 = Beehave Just a little Monday macro this morning. These guys have been extremely busy on my flowers lately and I thought I would try to capture a few. Not an easy task; they skip so quickly from flower to flower, but this one behaved long enough for me to get a shot of him. I loved how you can see the pollen tucked into all the little hairs on his little legs. Amazing. "When one goes in search of honey, one must prepare to get stung." unknown

01.19.15 = Monday This guy has that "don't mess with me" Monday attitude. Have a good day everyone. "I'm a Chicken Hawk and you're a Chicken." Henery Hawk, Looney Tunes

06.29.09 = Now I really understand that saying "Busy as a Bee." Let me tell ya', these little guys are tough to photograph. He didn't stop moving, I just got lucky to get one in focus. I guess if you take enough, you are bound to get one. Love that new macro lens! I am sorry to report that I read some really nasty comments made by some "Guests" about some peoples work here. Seems there has been a lot of that going around. Just a thought from Mark Twain: "Keep away from people who try to belittle your ambitions, small people do that, but the really great make you feel, that you too, can become great." We have some really great photographers out there and I have been inspired by each and every one of you. Thank you for your inspiration and dedication to the dailies. You are all really great! Kris:D

Window Observations

01.14.15 = Perseverance For those of you who feed and observe the birds, you know how persistent the little chickadee can be. One seed at a time, they grab one, fly to a tree limb, crack it open, eat it and then begin the whole process over again. And when the feeder is empty, they are the first to let you know with their persistent call. You have to admire their tenacity and perseverance. "The race is not always to the swift, but those who keep on running." Unknown

07.19.09 = Sorry I have been MIA for a few days, I've just had a lot going on. This past weekend was amazing here in Ohio. We had temperatures in low 70's during the day and low 60's to upper 50's at night! Blue skies and light breezes rounded out the days. Hope you all had a nice weekend as well. This big bee was really busy working the flowers in my sisters garden. She has become quite the "urban gardner." "Kind hearts are the garden; Kind thoughts are the roots; Kind words are the flowers; Kind deeds are the fruits. Take care of your garden and keep out the weeds; Fill it with sunshine, kind words and kind deeds." Henry Wadsworth Longfellow