nature photography

Proof they hatched

/ Roadtirementvintage / 2 Comments

We’ve been watching a pair of robins constructing and setting on a nest in the crook of the old maple tree outside our back door. We had yet not seen any blue egg shells on the ground. Discarded shells often indicate that the clutch has hatched.

At least two hungry mouths visible demanding food

Today while taking a break on the swing after some weeding I saw one of the robins returning to the “empty” looking nest. Immediately little wide open beaks appeared wanting to be filled with some tasty morsels. No more wondering: we have a clutch of baby robins. We’ll try to get some more photos soon.

Scary looking but basically harmless

/ Roadtirementvintage / 14 Comments

If you saw this black head coming over the plant, you might be worried…

Make you shiver??

This is a Great Black Wasp

They are “diggers”

 
These large wasps are diggers, meaning they dig tunnels where the females feed their young. These are good as a single female can sting and kill up to 16 grasshoppers each day. That is a great help keeping the population of the grasshoppers down. The good news is they only sting people if they are provoked.

Very strange dandelion

/ Roadtirementvintage / 30 Comments

Today I noticed a couple of strange looking dandelions in our backyard. Instead of individual stems for each brilliant yellow bloom several had grown together in one solid super stem. You could sort of feel the cluster of stems in these large “stems”.

One big stem, multiple blooms

Another large stemmed one…

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

There are plenty of “normal” dandelions nearby. Any botanists or agronomists or anybody who knows anything about these dandelions? I’ve never seen anything like this. Appreciate any comments or answers.

Three years later, still growing strong

/ Roadtirementvintage / 17 Comments

June 20, 2020

June 25, 2021

May 26, 2022

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

April 26, 2023

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This Black Cherry was one we got free from the Conservation Service and Indiana DNR. The first picture was taken on June 20, 2020 shortly after we planted it in our backyard. The sapling was then in a cage for protection, and the top visible rung on the cage is less than 2 feet high. The second picture was taken on June 25, 2021. By then the tree was a little over 6 feet tall. The tree reached a little over 10 feet in height by the end of May, 2022. Today, April 26, 2023, has the tree measuring a full 14 feet tall. According to what we have read, after about 7 to 8 years of growth we should have Black Cherries to pick.

What we saw in 2022

/ Roadtirementvintage / 21 Comments

The year 2022 was a very unique time for Roadtirement and, frankly, the entire country. The pandemic fears had greatly decreased and in lots of ways daily life seemed to be back to close to “normal”.  We did have many enjoyable trips in 2022. Here is a quick snapshot of some of those adventures.

Mom says it is time to go

As we predicted last year in July, our travels were altered to include more trips closer to home, and of shorter durations. We did, however, truly enjoy these shorter jaunts and like many,  we discovered many interesting attractions close to home.

Round barn built in 1910

This barn’s Mail Pouch paint job is fading fast.

 

 

 

 

 

Maj really got into visiting historic covered bridges. Indiana is known for the large number of these beautiful structures. There are several different types of bridge truss systems, and we found several different ones as we ventured around central and southern Indiana an Ohio. Some of the old iron bridges are also interesting pieces of history, and they are disappearing quickly.

Beautiful white reconstructed bridge

The Burr-Arch truss system

Closed to road traffic in 1996, it is now open only to foot traffic.

Howe truss system

Abandoned iron bridge

We also enjoyed going to cemeteries. The history represented in both large and small cemeteries can be very fascinating. Some are part of church properties, others are on land not part of any structure at all. We came across several interesting cemeteries as well as many many fascinating monuments and headstones.

White Bronze metal monument

View through a gate

Hope you enjoyed this look back at Roadtirement’s 2022. We’ll keep you updated as 2023 progresses. 

My conversation with Crow

/ Roadtirementvintage / 18 Comments

The other day I was in our daughter’s backyard (near Seattle) taking photos of some of the leather medicine bags that I have been making while Sher and I have been staying with her, her husband and our 8 year old grandson.

My personal medicine bag trimmed with the colors of the 4 directions, a silver feather and a gift from the sea.

While I was arranging another leather medicine bag for photos, I heard a loud “caw-caw” from somewhere up the street. Almost immediately a large black crow landed in a small tree about 15 yards away. Crow then began to “talk” to me with varying tones and volume. I responded to him, and thanked him for sharing his space with me.

Crow and I shared space and spirit together for several minutes. Sharing time with animals is so inspiring to me, and I consider them exceptional opportunities to relish the chance to be at one with animals, Nature and Earth.  I asked him if I could take an image of him. Crow did not want his image taken, and he flew off as we said our farewells.

My gift of an apple

I cut some pieces from an apple for me, and then I took the rest of the apple and put it in the tree where Crow had been perched while we conversed. It is always a nice gesture to leave a gift whenever you have contact with Nature. When I have been gifted by Nature with stones, feathers, shells or even a leaf or flower I always leave a gift in thanks for the find.

Black Onyx Crow figure from Peru is 2 3/4 inches tall

A couple of days ago we all went to a wonderful gem and mineral store in Snohomish. I needed to get some sage for cleansing and smudging ceremonies. In this store I was immediately drawn to a display of beautiful carved crows made of black onyx that had been imported from Peru. I was strongly drawn to one and he went home with me. My conversation with Crow to me reinforced that the black onyx Peruvian crow was supposed to be. Yes, I believe Crow joining me for a bit was indeed an omen.

Double rainbow

/ Roadtirementvintage / 13 Comments

The double rainbow has been revered throughout history and by many cultures as a sign of good luck, prosperity, love, connection of Earth and Heaven and other Spiritual meanings. It is a remarkable phenomena of Nature and you are fortunate when you witness a double rainbow in the sky.

Some squirrel scenes

/ Roadtirementvintage / 15 Comments

Here’s some squirrel action we observed on the tree in our backyard.

This nut tastes pretty good, glad I found it.

There must be something to eat around here

The squirrels were out in force this afternoon enjoying the sunlight, even though it was chilly and windy with a definite feel of fall in the air.