nature photography

Wet bunny and other critters

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Wet bunny sitting in a heavy rain shower

Baltimore oriole enjoying the nectar feeder

Red-winged blackbird This is the first season we have seen this species in our yard

This squirrel loves a crunchy kernel of corn

We really enjoy the menagerie that shows up in our backyard. At one point yesterday we counted at least nine (9) squirrels romping around. They were having fun chasing each other up and down and around the tree, and it looked like total pandemonium. We are very fortunate to have a nice yard that gives us our own little slice of nature.

Some plants around our yard

/ Roadtirementvintage / 22 Comments

Here’s a little photo tour of some of the foliage in our yard.

 

 

 

 

 

 

The trees are now fully in leaf. The roses are beginning to bloom, herbs are growing very nicely and the honeysuckle is in full bloom and hopefully will help the hummingbirds. Seems like the grass needs mowed every third day. Spring is here, summer is on the way.

Hanging Rock, Madison, Indiana

/ Roadtirementvintage / 24 Comments

Traveling from Columbus, Indiana to Madison on the Ohio River via Highway 7 you’ll enjoy a slightly rolling countryside of farms interspersed with small towns and villages. As you approach Madison you see smoke stacks of a power plant that is right on the Indiana side of the Ohio. Soon you will see road signs warning of hairpin turns and steep grades. No lies there, Highway 7 drops very fast and twisty on the way down to the town of Madison.

Soon you come to Hanging Rock. There on the north side of the road is a quite impressive rock cliff complete with an active waterfall. Hanging Rock has been an important landmark in Madison since, well, when the first winding path snaked its way from the top of the hill down to the river. Today there is a pull out that allows uphill traffic to drive behind the falling water. Even during droughts the water always cascades down the cliff.  The feature was formed by glaciers thousands of years ago.

A Baltimore oriole is a new visitor

/ Roadtirementvintage / 30 Comments

We enjoyed seeing a Baltimore oriole for the first time over the past few days. A very colorful bird indeed.

Those pesky sparrows love to photo bomb

This fellow loves our hummingbird feeder

It seems like he is proud of his plumage

 

 

 

 

 

 

We’ve seen at least two males (the pics are of a male) and at least one female. Hopefully there is a nest nearby. We may have to get another hummingbird feeder, as the orioles have taken over this one. Orioles love nectar, and appearently fresh fruit. We’ll try hanging some cut oranges up soon.

Phlox, hostas and a new leaf

/ Roadtirementvintage / 7 Comments

Scene from the front of our place

Hosta getting the squeeze: soon to be moved

 

 

 

 

 

Our phlox has really bloomed this spring. One of our two hostas is being challenged by the phlox for space! We’ll probably move this hosta to the flower garden and let the phlox run.

Even the new growth has the typical “tulip shaped” leaf

Our young Tulip trees are beginning to put on their leaves this spring. Also known as yellow poplar, the Tulip is actually a member of the Magnolia family. They are one of the finest hardwood lumber producers. This is the third season for the two we have in the front yard.