Ive been cleaning leaves out of my Gazebo pond. It's quite the chore every spring as there are many trees around it and it seems that all the leaves end up in the pond. I have taken out at least 6 big baskets full of them so far, I have lost count. Anyway, while cleaning the other day I saw my first frog. It was very small, only about 3/4 of an inch long. I captured this image with my phone. I believe it's a Leopard frog due to the dark spots on it.
It's Wildflower Wednesday here on the Blog! Today's image is of Spider Antelopehorn Milkweed. It usually blooms April through June. The fruits of this plant will resemble Antelope horns which is where that part of the name comes from, not sure about the "spider" part. When the plant is injured it will ooze a white milky substance. Monarchs can take this in and it makes them taste bad to predators. This milkweed is not their primary diet though.
Today's image is of a Cardinal I was able to capture this past winter. They were cooperative subjects for me at times which was very nice. Usually they are moving around a lot. I captured this male resting in the Walnut tree above the Trumpet Vine where they are usually hiding out in the backyard.
Happy Monday and happy new week! Spring is quickly approaching. I have Crocus blooming already which is making me excited for warm weather and gardening. We received some badly needed rain afterwards which was great for everything coming up.
It's Steamy Sunday here on the Blog! Today I am sharing an image of the Wagner locomotive that I get to help run in Minnesota. It's a 14 inch scale and was sitting at the Roundhouse before we steamed it up. The Roundhouse is in the process of being expanded to accommodate some new rolling stock that was acquired last year.
It's been warm lately so spring is on the way. I can share snowflakes and not feel cold. This one is another 9 image stack that I captured on a very cold day in January. I loved the tiny little snowflake that attached on the upper right like a jewel to the bigger flake. I also left the little one that was developing off to the left which reminded of a jewel as well.
It's Friday, TGIF! I captured this female Praying Mantis last year in a few images. This is one I hadn't shared where she is upside down in the Cosmos looking for a meal. I am sharing this image today due to the bubbly bokeh in it because Friday's Are Bokehlicious!
