Through the Leaves

So today, my boss told me to finish up the project I was working on this morning, then go take photos because it was such a nice day.  I didn’t argue!  Definitely went on a photo binge today and it was fun.  I took lots of flower shots, but I happened to like this non-flower photo the best.  I didn’t use a star filter or anything, the leaves did that all on their own!  I’m really trying to improve my “scenic” skills…. definitely still need work!

Pastel Skies

I am someone who posts photos in spurts.  I do a lot at once, instead of keeping up with it on a regular basis.  That’s just how I operate, I suppose!  This is the last photo I will post for the day… it’s one of my favorite sunrise shots from my old job.  A little hazy, a little orange…. it was a perfect sunrise to me!

Beautiful White Cat

This photo makes me a bit sad.  The cat in the photo is named Beautiful White Cat.  Ok, that’s probably not its name, but that what I call it.  I would see this cat nearly every morning on my drive into work, sitting on the fence post and looking into the tall grass.  I would creepily stop in front of someone’s house in the morning and take photos of it.  It’s honestly one of the prettiest cats I’ve ever seen.  This story has a sad ending, though, as one morning, I didn’t see Beautiful White Cat on the fence post, but rather in the road.  I wish its owners would have kept it inside…. such a sad way for a beautiful cat to go   I honor of Beautiful White Cat, I give you this photo…..

Hello, there!

A green frog in clear water.  I think he looks like he’s freezing for the cops

Trout Lily

Another beautiful spring ephemeral, the trout lily (Erythronium americanum).  They’re abloom in Delaware… check them out if you can!!

That’s a lotta points!

Check out that rack, in full velvet, no less!  Although I felt quite accomplished getting this close to such a nice looking buck, it’s really not that impressive.  It’s a Shenandoah National Park deer…. you can practically pet them :-/

What a Face!

So this is Oliver, one of the water buffalo referred to in this post here: http://calypsophotography.wordpress.com/2012/07/08/water-buffalo/

This is an oldie, but a goodie, from last summer.  I can’t resist that slobbery face of his.  Seriously, if you don’t at least say ‘awwww’, then I don’t know if you have a soul.

Sing, sing, sing!

The science geek in me is grumbling because I don’t know what kind of bird this little fledgling is.  I’m going with a sparrow, but I won’t venture too far from there, because I’m not a bird expert and I just don’t know!  But I just love how determined his (or her!) singing is, so I had to post this one, even though it’s not one of my best!

Dutchman’s Breeches

Image

One of my favorite spring ephemeral wildflowers in Delaware!  This flower is called Dutchman’s Breeches (Dicentra cucullaria) because it resembles little pairs of pantaloons, or so I’ve read.  I think they look like little teeth.  There’s quite a number of plants growing along the banks of the Brandywine Creek in Brandywine Creek State Park.  They bloom in mid April, so now is the time to go see!

Northern Flicker

I recently started a new job at Winterthur Museum and Garden.  I’m one of the go-to people when there are animals in need.  This week, a female Northern Flicker woodpecker (Colaptes auratus) flew into the window of the museum conservatory.  She was stunned, but turned out to be ok.  My boss and I took her to a nice wooded area, released her, and observed her for a bit to make sure she was going to make it.  I brought my camera with me and got some once in my lifetime shots.  She’s just beautiful and I’m really excited I got the chance to rescue her and get some woodpecker hugs in the process!

My woodpecker hugs!

She’s of the eastern “yellow-shafted” variety of the Northern Flicker

Spotted Jewelweed

One of my favorite wildflowers, Spotted Jewelweed (Impatiens capensis).  Orange is my favorite color, they have fun seed pods that pop when you touch them (hence the synonym, touch-me-not), and water just beads up so beautifully!

So shiny!

Possibly the prettiest beetles I’ve ever seen.  They are a pair of dogbane beetles, appropriately perched near a dogbane leaf.  If you look closely, you can see my vague reflection in the left beetle.  So cool!

Water Buffalo

Oliver and Dodger, the cutest water buffalo in Delaware.  I can’t explain better why I get to spend time with these boys than right here: http://www.dnrec.delaware.gov/News/Pages/Water-buffalo-to-help-improve-marsh-habitat-at-Brandywine-Creek-State-Park.aspx?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=twitter

Baby out on his own

Stumbled across this precious baby Baltimore oriole at work today.  He looked to be close to fledging, so I’m hoping he will be safe in the make-shift nest we made him.  Kept calling for his momma to come feed him or save him from our squeals.  So adorable.

A Curious Friend

This is another friendly squirrel from Brandywine Park in Wilmington, Delaware that I couldn’t help but photograph. She’s just so cute!