I have been lucky to get some nice and closer Heron images lately. This one was at a pond in the neighborhood right behind my house. I decided to stop by with all the rain we have been getting to see if one was around and there was. It was on the bank right near me and then flew to some rocks that were not very far away. I was amazed and got off a few shots before it took off from there of which this is one.
Happy Monday and happy new week! My pond Iris bloomed pretty well this year despite the late cold snap and regular Iris not blooming at all or in very small amounts. This plant can spread quite a bit so I have to keep it in check but I find it quite lovely. I wish the flowers lasted longer.
It's Steamy Sunday here on the Blog! Today's image is a very appropriately steamy one. This is one of the Ottaway locomotives as it was being "blown down". This where you open the valve on the boiler and let the remaining steam and water and, hopefully, any sediment that may have gotten in there to blow out. It helps to cool the locomotive off the rest of the way and to get all the water out to help prevent rust and scale.
As I have been mentioning, we have had quite a lot of rain lately. We went 3 months with basically nothing and now, we are getting it all. When we went to play trains a few weekends ago, we were running in between storms. These are some retreating clouds that I really liked how the setting sun was illuminating. The cloud just to the right of the windmill was especially cool with it's light outline.
It's Friday, TGIF! As I have mentioned, I love Musk Thistles even though they are not a very desirable plant. I love the geometric patterns on them and I think they look good even from behind. I love the bubbly bokeh in this so sharing it for today because Friday's Are Bokehlicious!
I love Ladybugs and so I am happy when I get an opportunity to see and capture one. This one was feeding on some stalks of grass and I captured it as it was spreading it's wings to possibly take off. It continued on after the photo and didn't leave.
It's Wildflower Wednesday here on the Blog! Today's flower is Indian Hemp Dogbane. It blooms June through August and is usually 8 to 40" high. Native Americans used the plant fibers to make various things like thread, cord, bow strings and fishing nets.
