7/14/16

Interesting weather we are having for July.  I felt like something bright today so here is a lovely Bumble Bee on the Butterfly Milkweed.  Wish the butterflies would come around and enjoy it too.

7/13/16

Well, we are getting quite the rain lately.  Not sure I am fond of how much at each time and the wind with it but beggars can't be choosy I guess.  For my photo today, I saw this guy before I left on vacation.  Not sure if he is still hanging around or not though as I haven't seen him since I have been back.  On this particular day I saw weeding in the garden and saw some movement in the trumpet vine and thought it was a bird or some type of animal.  Imagine my surprise when this guy came hopping into view.  He is the biggest frog I have had at my pond in  long time.  He was nice enough to model for me too so I took several shots and liked this face to face one best.  :-)

7/12/16

Today I am sharing a bit of a different image for me.  Last Wednesday I was able to do something that I consider a once in a lifetime event.  I was in Michigan and at the old Willow Run Airport which is a former B-24 bomber plant and is now the home of the Yankee Air Museum.  They have 4 antique aircraft that they give flights on from time to time and during the time I was in Michigan they were flying this particular plane which seemed like a bit of fate to me and something I needed to do.  My uncle was a B-17 pilot during WWII and because of that I believe I have always had an interest in that era planes and this one was always one of my favorites.  It was quite the awesome experience.  They allow 12 passengers on the plane but only 10 of us were there that day.  The hubster and I started out in the rear of the plane in jump seats but as soon as it took off we were allowed to move about and experience all the different views out the plane.  As you can see, at one time I was standing right behind the pilots.  On landing I was given the Navigator's seat in the nose which was quite a unique view as we approached the runway and good enough for someone like me not fond of heights, although they don't bother me as much in a plane.  Anyway, it was an awesome and very cool experience and if you like planes I highly recommend it.  Best viewed larger by clicking on the image.

7/11/16

This is an older image today because it fit in well for Bird Poker on Google +.  I captured this Goldfinch in my in-law's Ornamental Pear tree.  I thought it was looking rather frazzled due to the fact that it's bright yellow feathers were coming in.

7/10/16

This past week I was in Michigan and went to the Henry Ford Museum and Village in Dearborn,  The displays and collections at each place were quite amazing.  The Greenfield village has a steam train that runs around it all day.  They rotate through 3 locomotives to pull the train, 1 each week.  This particular one is #7 from 1897 and was Henry Ford's locomotive that pulled his Pullman car whenever he needed to travel somewhere.  It is a beautifully restored locomotive and I loved the color of it.  I rode behind it several times and also photographed it in various spots throughout the Village.  Here it is pulling out at the main entrance.

7/9/16

Well, I see I did not bring the rain back from Michigan.  It rained quite heavily the last night we were there.  It is hot and dry here and our chances are pushed off to Monday now.  My image today is of a couple of Lily blooms I shot recently in my garden.  I loved the bokeh behind them that their leaves produced.

7/8/16

When I was in Minnesota I got to see their state flower in bloom.  There were so many of them in one area of Tamarac Wildlife Refuge because it was a good year for them.  This is just one of the groups I saw and there are at least 25 in this one.  Was very beautiful to see so many of this unique flower which is part of the Orchid family.