Winter's grip has loosened up a bit, at least for the time being. Our highs today and this weekend are expected to be in the 50s with plenty of sunshine. It's about time -- this has been a cold winter.
Some things we saw today...
2.19.2010
Butterflies, Tadpoles and Buds
Treebeard and I explored the Sand Banks today. It's an area in the western part of the county near the Chowan River. Sadly, it is also one of the sites the Navy is considering for an outlying landing field. Keep your fingers crossed that it doesn't get selected...
Winter's grip has loosened up a bit, at least for the time being. Our highs today and this weekend are expected to be in the 50s with plenty of sunshine. It's about time -- this has been a cold winter.
Some things we saw today...
A question mark (Polygonia interrogationis), one of the anglewing butterflies.
A good-sized tadpole enjoying some sunshine. I'm not sure which species of frog this is.
And a tight little highbush blueberry bud, waiting...
Winter's grip has loosened up a bit, at least for the time being. Our highs today and this weekend are expected to be in the 50s with plenty of sunshine. It's about time -- this has been a cold winter.
Some things we saw today...
2.18.2010
Determined Dandelions
As soon as all the snow melted, determined dandelions started blooming. I love dandelions...
If the weathermen are to be believed, we are in for a snow-free weekend. Awesome!!!
If the weathermen are to be believed, we are in for a snow-free weekend. Awesome!!!
Walking the Line
The past two days were fun, tiring, but fun. One of a ranger's job responsibilities is to mark boundary line. In a swamp, boundaries can be challenging. We marked one really wet section on Tuesday -- only one picture to share from that boundary...
That was the easy part. I had to put my camera away for the rest of it. It's hard to keep a camera at hand when you are hacking your way through cane, walking logs and wading through water that's up to or well over your knees.
Not all parts of the swamp are wet though. Yesterday found us on high ground that was wrapped up in vines. Here you see me going through an "easy" part.
Uh oh, the swamp ate the ranger. I'm in there somewhere...
I live for days like these - and I say that with all seriousness. Yes, I do love my job! What made these days even better was the fact that Treebeard came along as a volunteer -- you gotta love a retired ranger who is willing and able to share his years of experience!!
Not all parts of the swamp are wet though. Yesterday found us on high ground that was wrapped up in vines. Here you see me going through an "easy" part.
Uh oh, the swamp ate the ranger. I'm in there somewhere...
I live for days like these - and I say that with all seriousness. Yes, I do love my job! What made these days even better was the fact that Treebeard came along as a volunteer -- you gotta love a retired ranger who is willing and able to share his years of experience!!
2.15.2010
Down at the Bridge
While I was manning the bridge today I had a little avian company. This cormorant dropped in to do a little fishing and then hopped up on the fender to dry off a bit. I didn't get any good, clear shots but I got a couple of passably fair shots to share. Hope everyone had a happy Monday!
Note: My keyboard issue, while not resolved, has improved. The zero key is still quite touchy but random zeros are not appearing with the frequency they did yesterday. I am cautiously optimistic...
Note: My keyboard issue, while not resolved, has improved. The zero key is still quite touchy but random zeros are not appearing with the frequency they did yesterday. I am cautiously optimistic...
2.14.2010
O)h Wo0e Is Me
No0tice anything o00000000000dd abo0ut this po0st? What's that you0 say...zero0000000000000s are ap0p0earing in o0dd p0laces and so0metimes running amuck? Yeah, I no0ticed that to0o0000000000000000000000000. It's a new keybo0ard and it seems to0 have issues; issues that I am to0o0 tired and discou0rged to0 deal with to0night. So0 co0mments will go0 unanswered, emails will go000000000000000 untyp0ed. But, to0mo0rro0w is ano0ther day and I will p0repare myself fo0r battle o0f the techno0lo0000000000gical so0rt.
Night, night.
Night, night.
2.13.2010
Yet Again
Snow, for the third Saturday in a row. Now don't get me wrong, I like snow. I think it is beautiful when it falls and I love to go for a walk in snow-silenced woods...but seriously, three Saturdays in a row?!? These shots were taken as I left for work this morning.
Oh, and on a side note...I picked up a tick at some point on Friday when I was out hiking in the freezing cold. The little sucker managed to get herself attached on my back. Now I will be on tick-borne illness alert for the next two or three weeks. Arrgghhh!
Oh, and on a side note...I picked up a tick at some point on Friday when I was out hiking in the freezing cold. The little sucker managed to get herself attached on my back. Now I will be on tick-borne illness alert for the next two or three weeks. Arrgghhh!
2.12.2010
Winter Renovations
Beavers are interesting creatures. They will use a lodge for a number of years then abandon it. After a while another beaver will decide that the abandoned property looks promising and will begin renovations. Such is the case with this particular lodge...
Ready, Set, Count!
2.11.2010
AWOL No More
Yes, I have been slack but I have also been out of town for the past several days. Trust me when I tell you you would not want to see pictures of where I have been -- unless of course you find submerged firing ranges appealing. Let me tell you, I did not find it to be so grand. If you have never shot in cold, pouring rain while standing ankle deep in rainwater, then you don't know what you're missing ;)
Thanks for all the comments that have been left - I know I usually answer them individually, but I'm just too pooped to think of appropriate responses. Please know that I appreciate each and every comment (well, maybe not the spam comments...)
Perhaps tomorrow I will be able to venture out someplace interesting and snap a photo or two...but right now I am going to enjoy a nice dark beer and then hit the sack.
Thanks for all the comments that have been left - I know I usually answer them individually, but I'm just too pooped to think of appropriate responses. Please know that I appreciate each and every comment (well, maybe not the spam comments...)
Perhaps tomorrow I will be able to venture out someplace interesting and snap a photo or two...but right now I am going to enjoy a nice dark beer and then hit the sack.
1.31.2010
Making Tracks
Treebeard and I weren't the only ones out making tracks in the snow today...
Which way to go?? One indecisive squirrel or two squirrels, back to back, ready to pace off for a duel ;)
We followed this kitty for quite some distance. I think it may be the momma cat that has taken up in our wood pile. Haven't decided yet what to do about her and her two kittens.
A couple of turkeys went for a wander through the woods. We followed them for quite some distance, too.
My other photos of prints and tracks didn't come out too well. Taking pictures in snow is a bit challenging for me.
Which way to go?? One indecisive squirrel or two squirrels, back to back, ready to pace off for a duel ;)
We followed this kitty for quite some distance. I think it may be the momma cat that has taken up in our wood pile. Haven't decided yet what to do about her and her two kittens.
A couple of turkeys went for a wander through the woods. We followed them for quite some distance, too.
My other photos of prints and tracks didn't come out too well. Taking pictures in snow is a bit challenging for me.
Thirty Years Ago...
Thirty years ago today, despite the ten inches of snow that covered the ground, Treebeard and I got married. That is the one time in my life that I didn't mind traveling on snow-covered roads ;)
Today we will celebrate our anniversary, once more in the snow. Today we will not be traveling though, unless we go out for a walk. We will stay home and cook up some shrimp, oysters, scallops and flounder and drink a toast to the past very happy thirty years.
Today we will celebrate our anniversary, once more in the snow. Today we will not be traveling though, unless we go out for a walk. We will stay home and cook up some shrimp, oysters, scallops and flounder and drink a toast to the past very happy thirty years.
1.30.2010
Snowy Saturday
Ah, winter...
First it's cold, then it's warm, then it snows! Last weekend we were chasing down frogs, snakes and even turtles. Today the high temperature was 30 degrees F and we got six inches of snow. Six inches is a pretty heavy snow for these parts. There were lots of closures and cancellations, and folks pretty much stayed off the roads. You hardy Adirondack-types would call this weather balmy and be amused by our inability to function -- but that's okay, 'cause like I said, last week we were chasing frogs ;)
A view from the porch as the snow was falling...
Our house looking cold and gray...
Our road at around 3:00 this afternoon. We've had maybe five vehicles pass by today...
The pond is right at the end of our road. Treebeard and I bundled up and headed out to see if anything was moving on the water...
Something had been swimming through the slush...
Turned out to be a nutria. It didn't look happy...
Last week there were turtles basking in the sun out there...
No reptiles today!
There were a few ducks, but they declined to be photographed...
Me, all layered up for our walk. Waterproof outer layer and fleecy inside - perfect...
The stream that runs through the swamp just below our property. This is a good spot to find cottonmouths when it's warm out...
Another view of our road. And no, it won't be plowed.
We walked about 3.5 miles through some very fluffy snow. Powder certainly gives one a workout! Good thing we got plenty of exercise -- Treebeard is cooking up baked brie and French bread as I type and I have a feeling he bought a good bottle of wine to go with it.
First it's cold, then it's warm, then it snows! Last weekend we were chasing down frogs, snakes and even turtles. Today the high temperature was 30 degrees F and we got six inches of snow. Six inches is a pretty heavy snow for these parts. There were lots of closures and cancellations, and folks pretty much stayed off the roads. You hardy Adirondack-types would call this weather balmy and be amused by our inability to function -- but that's okay, 'cause like I said, last week we were chasing frogs ;)
A view from the porch as the snow was falling...
We walked about 3.5 miles through some very fluffy snow. Powder certainly gives one a workout! Good thing we got plenty of exercise -- Treebeard is cooking up baked brie and French bread as I type and I have a feeling he bought a good bottle of wine to go with it.
1.28.2010
Ivy
Check out the lovely poison ivy vine and all its little baby vines. I can't believe Treebeard agreed to put his hand in the photo to provide a size comparison -- ivy makes him break out into a very nasty rash ;)
1.27.2010
Such a Conehead
Yet another image from Sunday's walk...
I nearly stepped on this katydid. Luckily the bright green against the tan of the beech and oak leaves caught my eye. She was moving very slowly and made no attempt to fly.
If you look through the wing you can see her long ovipositor.
Katydids have some serious mouthparts and they can give you quite a pinch if you're not careful. This one was too cold to do any biting.
I nearly stepped on this katydid. Luckily the bright green against the tan of the beech and oak leaves caught my eye. She was moving very slowly and made no attempt to fly.
Neoconocephalus retusus - Round-tipped Conehead
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