I had just started on my morning walk today when some movement in the sky caught my attention.
I expected to see turkey vultures but much to my delight there were two hawks enjoying flying together, circling and enjoying each other’s company. The photo is not the best, but I guess reasonable for an iPhone shot of hawks at least 100 yards up. Spotting birds of prey always make my day!
I was able to capture a fairly decent iPhone image of Hawk as he flew. Birds of prey are such a thrill to see.
This is Oregano
Here is the Sage
This is Sweet Basil
And here’s the rock
Here are some pictures from our herb and flower garden. Also one of many rocks in the garden. Look closely at the rock shot, there is another herb, Chives, that is blurry in the background. Landscaping this little piece of of our property, tending it and watching things grow has been one way we have kept busy during our isolation during this pesky COVID-19 pandemic. Unfortunately the virus still marches on.
1st photo taken
2nd photo taken
3rd photo taken
I missed the rose in the first photo blooming yesterday. So out for pictures I go, and there to my delight is another bud starting to bloom (second photo). And then while taking the second photo low and behold I spotted yet another bud hiding under the rose in bloom. Three roses to share with you all.
I wanted to get a photo of this female Cardinal, who I think may be a juvenile. She kept facing away from the camera. Finally she did turn so I could get an image of her face. Then here came one of those pesky Mourning doves (aka rain crows) who successfully photo-bombed the shot and spooked the Cardinal. Sigh….
We have been putting ears of field corn out on a couple of trees in the backyard. It has been fun watching the squirrels working the corn. They of course knock kernels off the cob, and some are consumed right away. However, most of the kernels were buried, most within about a 30′ radius around the trees.
This little guy was digging up corn kernels today. There has been over an inch and a half of rain in the last 24 hours. Digging up the kernels resulted in very muddy snacks for sure. It was fun watching him dig a kernel up, wipe the mud off and eat. We have enjoyed seeing squirrels burying corn, today we saw this one returning to and excavating a treat or two.
Four weeks ago we went to a local park where the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) was sponsoring a tree give-away. We ended up with two black cherry and three Tulip tree saplings. We got all five planted on the same day, and all of them seem to be thriving.
Tulip tree, May 23rd
Tulip tree, June 20th
Black Cherry, May 23rd
Black Cherry, June 20th
The Tulip tree is the State Tree of Indiana. Hopefully each start will continue to grow, and within a few years we’ll have some healthy trees filling our yard. The DNR program is a very good way to insure that property owners have access to trees for planting.
On a drive today we saw many large black birds in a field next to a rural county road. I had my son stop the car for a better look and a photo op. The committee of vultures started to move away from the road, some walking and some flying close to the ground before they settled down again.
And by the way, there are three different names for a group of vultures. Different circumstances dictate what name applies at the time. A committee is a group resting on the ground or in trees. A wake is a group feeding. And when you see lots of vultures soaring in the sky, wings outstretched with little or no flapping, well that is called a kettle of vultures.
Sher and I took advantage of our son again and had him drive us around town. There were lots of people out, mostly driving as it was rather chilly and windy. Not the best conditions for a walk.
I spotted this goose on a traffic island in a store parking lot. The goose just sat there when our car pulled up be side it, which allowed me to take these shots. The goose’s mate saw us from across the lot and was walking (or should I say waddling) towards us as we pulled away.
No COVID-19 stuff, just a picture I was lucky enough to snap several years ago. It has been one of my favorite nature photos ever since. Hope you like it.
