Oh Happy Day

Its Wednesday and this is my 700th post [I know! can't shut up] thus the fair spotted one happily leaping along. I'd like to think in joy, but I know better.

Another great H-word is represented by this guy I captured at Como Lake on a walk this weekend. Two other great blue herons were just leaving, disgruntled and barking like dogs, when I came around the bend to see this guy, no worse for wear, holding his/her ground.
More happy @ ABC Wednesday.

Welcome sunshine in the Twin Cities has produced some lovely skies this week, especially in the early, daylight-savings-time mornings. I captured these contrails blazing in the sun above the plant where Dave works as I was walking along the mighty Mississippi Riverside park. This was the blue-est of blue skies I saw this morning. Our snow is beginning to melt as we've enjoyed a heat wave this week in the 40 to nearly 50 degrees range. I've also seen my first Blue Heron lumbering along the River's edge and heard the call of returning Red Wing Blackbirds this morning. Winter seems to be headed for retirement. And I, in turn, feel the life returning to my old bones.

I found this quote this morning, referring to women's urge to prevent the signs of aging on their face, which seemed to parallel this winter's swan song and the stirrings of a new spring:

'Most of the time, age feels like a mask--something that I wear, not something I am--and when I gaze fondly at the faces of my old friends I can see them as they were when we were young.'

[Judith Thurman/The New Yorker]

More skies to enjoy at Skywatch Friday.

'not all who wander are lost'

I've just lived through an interesting weekend of sorts. Saturday I spent the morning 'birding' with three members of the local Minnesota Breeding Bird Atlas Project, who helped me learn the ropes of collecting data from the bird activity in my 'block.' These women were experts at identifying bird behavior, song, habitat, nests and were unstoppable. You see, I had been, umm, slow at gathering this data because I really didn't know how to find my block which sits several miles north of St. Paul. I listened and walked and made notations. As I was being eaten alive by a huge batch of mosquitoes in a wooded area, one flew into my eye. I've never had that experience! I couldn't get it out, and apparently slept with its remains somewhere in my eye and after some robust dousing, got it out.
Meanwhile, back at the ranch, we had a huge storm pass through last evening with tornadoes dangerously close to the Twin Cities, one landing just a couple of miles from me. I'm dodging flying lawn chairs and lightening to remove the hanging pots from their hooks because a pair of house finches have a nest in my geraniums. Little did I know the female was sitting on the eggs when I brought the pot indoors, at which point she abandoned the nest and spent the next hour flying around my house! Long story short, I locked up my cat, and finally successfully shooed her out. This morning when I hung the pot outside again, two more eggs were in her nest and there she sat. I couldn't resist a snapshot before she got back on.

For this week's Camera Critters, I submit the nest with these gorgeous turquoise eggs along with a shot I captured of a rather miffed blue heron forced to leave his fishing hole when I came into view. I could hear him grumbling as he flew away.

Lastly, besides silly animal tricks, I have included one of my favorite summer flowers Heavenly Blue Morning Glories. There are many more beauties to see at Today's Flowers.

you're it!

Behold the illusive Great Blue Heron reluctant to give up his prime fishing spot along the lake.[I'm especially fond of the long feather that sweeps off his crown.] Visit Camera Critters for more beauty.

One flat, double occupancy--Camera Critters

I have been hanging on to this photo for a post on Camera Critters since September. . .and am I the only one who feels that time has been spinning out of control? All of a sudden we have snow and freezing temps and I needed to show this photo before next September!

So, I caught one white egret and great blue heron, both now long gone. on a peaceful morning sharing the same snag over a great fishing hole.
I'm all for peaceful coexistence -- AND sharing the wealth fish whenever possible. Clicking on the photo will give you a better view of these two unlikely roommates.

See more Camera Critters at Misty Dawn's wonderful site here.