Life's Blessings - Dogwood Trees

Our dogwood has gotten its fall berries. I love their shape and colors. They almost look like something out of a science fiction movie. I watched the other day as my resident chipmunk set out to feast on the berries that had fallen to the ground. He was followed by the birds who also seem to enjoy the feast. Nothing is wasted. In a few short weeks all evidence will have disappeared.


Of course next spring the tree will be in full bloom and once more we'll be able to sit and watch it in all its glory.

A study on clouds

For several days I took pictures of clouds. I've always loved clouds especially as a child when we'd lay on the ground and try and figure out their shapes. Oh to be young again. Anyway, there is a Cloud Appreciation Society and they have a website if you're interested.

I especially like clouds when the sun is rising or setting but it's difficult to get the shots from my backyard.

You can see the sun hitting these clouds from the left.
The wispy white clouds against the deep blue sky gives you a warm feeling (or is it our 90 degree plus temperatures?)
I liked the shapes here. It almost looks like brush strokes.
This shot is not blurred, but the clouds make it appear so.
A contrast...
Do you see the antique rocker in this one?
Made you look:)
You can see the sunlight filtering through the clouds.
Oops, didn't mean to get the tree in there...
Thoreau said, "You must not blame me if I do talk to the clouds."
So what do you say to a cloud?
OK, I know this post was nothing exciting, but it was fun standing in the grass looking up. What can I say? It's the end of the summer...

Summer

"There shall be eternal summer in the grateful heart" (Celia Thaxter 1835-1894)

A Play on Shadows

I was sitting on the back porch this morning with a cup of tea as the sun was coming up. Of course as soon as its piercing rays emanated through my wind chimes I ran inside and retrieved my camera. (You would have thought I'd been prepared). Anyway, the sun was casting wonderful shadows as it rose and I decided to follow it.

The cats are reflected...

on the back of the chair.

These chimes cast a shadow on the screen.

A hummingbird's wing and gecco.
A shadow within and without...
A rain gauge - ribbet
Leaves are especially inviting to photograph
A scratching cat
And of course a self-portrait of yours truly taking pictures
Check out your shadow today!

Life's Blessings

"Trees are Earth's endless effort to speak to the listening heaven" (Rabindranath Tagore, 1861-1941)

Summer at Sweetbrier

It's midsummer and very hot outside, mostly in the 90's, except when we get an afternoon thunderstorm. Then the outdoors becomes a sauna!

Earlier this month the moon greeted us shortly after dawn

We're in the pink! A picture of Sweetbrier's backyard. We have a total of seven crepe myrtle trees, and you guessed it, they're all pink.
Note the dewdrops on the leaves of this crepe myrtle bloom...
and the dew on the grass.
This photo is a test. Can you find the bird in the tree?
The Victorian Parlor's hubby made this birdhouse for me many years ago. Although badly weathered and no longer occupied, I continue to smile when I see it. I think the vines are holding it together though.
Our resident wild rabbit
A web in a crepe myrtle tree. Spiders are so artistic!
Another view, though blurry
A beautiful pink-striped oakworm moth (anisota senatoria) lights on the front door frame...
Another lovely moth with markings that makes it look like it is carved out of marble. (If anyone can identify it please let me know.)
Our rose bush bloomed again which was a treat...

Best wishes to everyone for a comfortable and pleasant summer!

Life's Blessings

"A harvest of peace grows from seeds of contentment" (Kashmiri)

Truffle Hunting

Sir Winston came to stay with us for the week while his family goes on vacation. He is such a sweet boy and has really mellowed. The only time he becomes excitable is when you take out the camera, so I had to sneak pictures of him.

One of his favorite pastimes is truffle-hunting, although we have no truffles of which I am aware. Here is our royal guest waiting patiently to begin the hunt.First he surveys the grounds

and takes a slow step-by-step approach

Truffle hunting is hard work and breaks are necessary
Back to searching for the elusive truffle

Hmmm.... maybe here
Truffles in the neighbor's yard?
He's sooo close
Perhaps sniffing the air will help
Nope, there have to be truffles here somewhere
A few days later after an exhausted hunt for the rare truffle, we get a visitor on the front porch.
Winston once more goes into hunt-mode moving from the dining room window to the foyer windows - back and forth, faster than the camera can catch him, almost...
Later - exhausted from truffle and rabbit hunting, a poodle dreams

Finally his momma comes to pick him up and he relaxes on her lap. Some things are so much better than finding truffles.

A final good-bye pant to grandma as Winston is buckled into his car seat. He knows full well that the hunt will continue the next time he visits!