This week, Tina has asked us to show things that are All Wet.
As we traveled through Alaska in 2013 we saw wildlife almost every day and some the animals were all wet.
Sea Otters on Columbia Glacier tour from ValdezPuffins on the Columbia Glacier Cruise from ValdezMoose in a pond in Denali National ParkBlack Bear fishing for salmon in Hyder, Alaska
I can’t end this post without including our beloved yellow Labrador Retriever, Blondie. She was happiest when she was all wet. No matter where we were, if there was water around, she wanted to swim in it. She’s been in doggie heaven for over two years now and I still miss her every day.
Our Labrador Retriever loved to share her wetness with us
This week, Amy has challenged us to show photos we have taken at home.
During this almost six weeks of sheltering in place I find myself spending more and more time outside appreciating the natural beauty all around me.
HibiscusFirst day lily of the seasonSecond day lily of the season
We’ve had many birds at our feeder this spring – chickadees, house finches, cardinals, hummingbirds and others. My favorite is a pair of painted buntings that come by every day. So far I’ve only been able to get photos of the male.
Male Painted Bunting
The cardinals hang around under the feeder in hopes of finding fallen seeds.
Male cardinal searching for seeds under the bird feeder
Monarch butterflies are continuing to come through the garden. I haven’t found any more caterpillars and the milkweed they stripped is coming back strong with new growth.
I first spotted a Monarch Chrysalis in my garden about three weeks ago. I’ve been checking on it several times a day and after 14 days I realized this one was not going to make it.
Monarch chrysalis day 16
Being at home for six weeks has made me realize how much I have to be grateful for. I am so grateful to live in a home where I can go outside into my yard to enjoy the natural world. I’m grateful I can keep in touch with friends and family who are far away. I’m grateful for my health and the health of my family and friends. I’m grateful I am physically able to get out and exercise in the fresh air.
This week’s challenge from Ann-Christine is morning.
I’ve always been a morning person and for many years I’ve been the first one up in our house. I start each day by going downstairs to the kitchen to put the kettle on for my morning tea. Next comes quiet time, either in my living room where I can look out the windows, or out in my backyard butterfly garden under the arbor.
Tea in the gardenNature surrounds me in my garden
Hisbiscus
Mexican Sunflower
Sunflower
After my tea I often go for a walk in the neighborhood.
Morning walkBeautiful morning for a walkIt’s nice to see some feathered friends in the morning
This week the challenge comes from Guest Host John Steiner at Journeys With JohnBo. He asked us “If you visited a favorite place more than once, how did you approach the second trip photographically? If you’ve only been somewhere once, what would you do differently the second time around?”
I fell in love with Rocky Mountain National Park when we first visited there in late May, 2011. We spent several days enjoying the wildlife and natural beauty of the park. Snow in the higher elevations added to the adventure.
One day our goal was to drive the Trail Ridge Road all the way to the top to visit the Alpine Visitor’s Center. The road was clear most of the way with deep snow beside the road. I took the above photo when we arrived at Rainbow Curve, at an elevation of about 11,000 feet. Our drive to the Alpine Visitor’s Center would have to wait.
Deep snow along Trail Ridge Road in Rocky Mountain National Park in May, 2011
Two years later, in August, 2013, we decided to return to Rocky Mountain National Park on our way home from Alaska. With only one day to explore the park our goal was to see the Alpine Visitor’s Center. We stopped at the Many Curves Overlook on our way to the Trail Ridge Road. The next two photos were taken two years apart at the same overlook. The first is from spring, 2011, the second one from summer, 2013. There was quite a difference the second time around.
View from Many Curves Overlook on May 28, 2011View from Many Curves Overlook in Rocky Mountain National Park in August, 2013
The next two photos are from another overlook in the park. The first is from 2011, the second from 2013.
View from one of the overlooks in Rocky Mountain National Park in May, 2011View from one of the overlooks in Rocky Mountain National Park in August, 2013
Did we make it the Alpine Visitor’s Center the second time around? We sure did and the view from there was spectacular.
This week Patti’s challenge is to show what Simplicity means to me.
“I am beginning to learn that it is the sweet, simple things of life which are the real ones after all.” ― Laura Ingalls Wilder
After three weeks of social distancing I have really come to appreciate the simple things – a phone call with my brother who lives on the other side of the country, a video of one of our granddaughters, social distancing outside with neighbors, and enjoying the little things in nature.
Here are a few of the simple things that brought me joy this weekend.
Sunset over the salt marshMorning walkWildflower on the side of the roadMorning Sky at sunriseBlanketflower in the gardenFirst Monarch caterpillar of spring
Wandering Dawgs 