Henrietta

There were a lot of pelicans at the Pier in St. Petersburg. This one is Henrietta. She hangs out at this kiosk looking for food which the proprietor doles out. While I was taking pictures, he showed me how she would follow him out the door, around the building, and back inside in hopes of a handout. It was 99 degrees. She had a lot more energy that we did!

The other pelicans catch their own supper.

Thanks to all who let me know what kind of tree I'd photographed. We have magnolias in CT but I've never seen one with the "fruit" on it.

Mystery Tree

This is a picture of my shadow taking a picture of this tree in the hotel parking lot in Florida. REALLY! I hope I was standing next to a bush because my shadow looks a bit overly "hippy".

I have never seen a tree like this before and I have no clue at all what kind of tree it is. If anyone can identify it for me, I'd really appreciate it. I just HAD to take a picture of it just in case any of my southern friends could enlighten me.

Attempted Escape

Gizzy returned home Monday and is happy to be with his Pawpa. He didn't growl at me so perhaps..just perhaps..he was happy to see me too.

Unfortunately for the Giz, dog-sitter Donna had to attend a previously scheduled function on Saturday night and secondary dog watcher and "hooman brother" Chris also had a prior commitment . The Giz was brought to the house and was "at home" ALONE briefly until Chris picked him up a few hours later. It's a good thing it wasn't too long as I think he intended to claw and chew his way out of the house. As you can see, Gizzy does not being like being left alone and has no problem letting his feelings be known. Our front door and the door jamb will never be the same.

"I TOLD you NOT to take my picture"!

On July 14th, my Mom passed away. She would have been 96 years old in September. I have been in Florida with my Stepfather and the rest of the "steps". While going thru paperwork, we found this picture of Mom..surrounded by Christmas gifts. Mom hated having her picture taken so I really only have a few pictures of her. The look on her face pretty much says it all. I love you Mom.

What's Keepin' Ya?

Due to personal reasons, I'll need to lay down my camera for a couple of weeks. Gizzy will be spending that time visiting with his friend, Donna, who runs a dog boarding facility. She treats him like her own and allows him the privilege of staying in the house with her family.

Nasty Piece of Work!

Pawpa was standing by the window yesterday holding by-nock-lars on his face and he asked Mom: "didja see that thing outside?". THIS is what he was looking at! Mom went after that black boxy thing she always flashes at ME and headed for the door. Pawpa said theys probly white-face somethin's and she better not get too close. She didn't cuz she gots tele-photo. We still don't know how we gettin' rid of THAT thing. Since this is not too far from Mom's naked garden, I don't wants to dig there no more. Uh-Uh..no how.. no way..

Patio Puddles

See this plot of dirt? Mom planted 4 rows of flowers in it about 6 weeks ago. I didn't make those puddles. It has rained again and again and again. The sun's been out a few days now but I'm guessing there is not gonna be no flowers there like Mom wanted. It's too bad really. She was hoping to attract something called hummingbirds. (Do they sing too?) See those bricks piled on the patio? Mom dug them out of that plot and she pulled out a whole bunch of that green stuff too ... packo ... packer .. I don't know .. it's packy something. (Note from Mom: it's pachysandra) Maybe she'll let me dig there since it looks like she don't need it.

Sunday Serenity

Fencing alongside a northwestern CT reservoir

The Breakfast Club

First thing in the morning, I look out at the feeder to see who my breakfast guests might be. Yesterday morning, I grabbed my camera and raced out to the patio in my jammies. (Luckily the privacy factor in our yard is high and no one was turned to stone by gazing at my early morning visage.) I was quick enough to catch a few shots of the guests who had finished dining and were preparing to depart. Gizzy slept through it all. Way to go Giz!

Here's Mom and her ducklings all in a huddle.

They are making their way to the edge of the yard where a small
stream forms the property line between our yard and the park.

Now that the babies have left, the rest of the clan flies in.

So long guys!

Busy Morning

I had a very busy morning yesterday. We all slept late again..probably cuz it was another gray day..and it was only 62 degrees...IN JULY. Soon as Pawpa had a sip of coffee, it was time for me to take him for a walk . There was much to be sniffed on my way thru the woods. You wouldn't believe the smells in there! Pawpa never sniffs 'em...I just don't know why.

I met my friends on the way too. Ben is new to the hill but the big black Lab Door was here before me. Funny name too! His people named him after Pawpa's Dad. So his name is our LAST NAME. Him and Ben gots longer legs than me but thats OK. I think big and I bark big. When we got home, Mom thought she could come sit in the living room with me and Pawpa. I growled but she sat down anyhow .. and brought out that black box that flashes at me. Then she laughed. Big deal .. evil woman. Nap Time. GRRRRRRRR.

Lemme Gooooo.....PUHLEASE????

I never been what you'd call an ..um .. an "attentive" listener. Sometimes when Mom talks, I give her "the look" and keep going so she makes Pawpa keep me attached to the blue string when we are working outside. Sometimes when Pawpa and Mom go out without me, Pawpa lets me out without the string to leave peemail when they gets home. Mom stands right there and if I even look like maybe I'm going farther than the corner juniper....yikes...she gives both me AND Pawpa "the look".

Patio Furniture

Look at those pitiful lonely chairs! I've wanted to paint the patio furniture this summer as it needs it very badly. We've been waiting for an extended period of sunny days so we can get the job done. So far, no luck. Well, we did get 2 sunny days but that was SO unusual....we went out and had FUN instead. Poor chairs!

Saville Dam

Sunday, when it was nice, Mom and Pawpa also went to Saville Dam in Barkhamsted where Compensating Reservoir empties into Lake McDonough. Mom wanted to take more pictures but the parking areas were inexplicably closed. Looking to see if there were "no parking" signs and seeing none, she and Pawpa parked alongside the road next to one of the parking areas with some other cars until they were "advised to leave" by a MDC (Metropolitan District Commission) policeman. People used to go there all the time to take photos as it is a beautiful area but I guess we are no longer welcome although their website still reads as follows: "Visit the Saville Dam. No matter what the season, look out on scenic Barkhamsted Reservoir from the top of Saville Dam on Route 318 (just 1/4 mile from its intersection with Route 219)". Although there is parking at the lake, it is really too far to walk back to the dam to "look out on scenic Barkhamsted". Mom was disappointed that she did not get a picture of the beautiful doors on the gatehouse.

This is the gatehouse.

The water flows down the spillway from the reservoir and under the roadway.

It comes out here and flows down to the lake.

Satan's Kingdom

Gizzy's Mom told Pawpa that she wanted to go take pictures of the tubers coming down the river if the weather was sunny and warm, so off they went without me.

He took her to Satan's Kingdom but not to this place.

He took her to THIS place. This is the end of the road.

Trudging through the mud, they made
their way to a trail down to the river.

Look at these people having fun on the water.

Here they come around the bend.

As you can see, it was a beautiful day.

This was the trail to the bank of the river.
Can you see it? Yeah, Mom couldn't either!

I was glad they left me home but I'll bet they weren't. Grrrr.

Sunday Serenity

The growing conditions in the woods have been ideal for Indian peace pipes.

New ones are peeking thru every day!

Learn more about Indian pipes with this link.

I remember one sunny day..................

When the flowers at the park were brilliant with color...
Yesterday was not that day. Rain again.

Titmouse in a Tree

The titmice were hanging out in this tree next to the reservoir. This is the only one that stayed still for a while. Strangely, a titmouse has been pecking at both bedroom windows recently. It's been raining so I don't think it's been seeing its reflection but who knows. They are funny and feisty.

Tail of Two Feeders

This is the backyard bird feeder. We gots a new one in perfect condition but Pawpa likes this one better. Maybe its cuz this one gots a tail; it gots one most everyday. We gots two baffles below the feeder to .. um .. deter squirrel access. See how well it works? GRRRRRR. There's perches on both sides thats been replaced 76 grrrr-zillion times. The roof is all chewed up. (Noooo, it wasn't me, the Gizmeister! I'm too short) My guess is squirrel as the bear that comes here knows how to get it open...just bend the pipe and hurl the feeder to the ground. Good thing we gots a spare!

Peeling Birch Tree

The sun came out today so I was able to walk in the park. This birch with peeling bark is at the top of the steps going up to the reservoir.