My World - Catbird

About three weeks ago, we spotted two of these small birds while working in the flowerbeds near the deck. The mate to this one came rather close as I was pulling weeds and mulching. A quick online search led me to believe they are catbirds. A few days later as I was digging holes to plant the hibiscus, one of them hopped right down in the hole and grabbed a grub. I stopped digging and grabbed my camera, taking pictures while he (or she) explored the hole, ate a few more grubs, and eventually flew up to the fence post nearby. The mate remained under the lilacs ten feet away. Several times since, they have landed near me as I was working in the flowerbeds.

Geometry - Famous octagon

A common geometrical shape, usually red, but this one seems to have been forgotten. It is also mostly hidden by a bush.

To see more geometry, go to Katney's" Kaboodle.

PhotoHunt - Memorials

The small towns across Frederick County have memorials to those who have fought for our country. The service of young soldiers and marines recently killed while serving in Iraq and Afghanistan will soon be honored here.

Sky Watch - SC skies

During our four day stay in South Carolina, we had one very hot day and the rest comfortable. The afternoon skies put on a show for us Friday and Saturday. For another stunning shot of the moon and Venus see the NASA APOD post of May 16.

Window Views - SC door and windows

Here are some shots of the house of our granddaughter's friend who hosted her baby shower last Saturday. Below are views of the window in the door from inside; the upstairs windows; and a plaque in the shape of the state with the symbols that appear on the state flag.

My World - Greatgrand baby shower

We spent a delightful weekend with our grand kids in SC. The major event was a baby shower for granddaughter Christy (center below) who is expecting Bryce to appear in about a month. Danielle (in red below) hosted the shower at her new home for friends and relatives (including us guys). Cake (and lots of other food) was served. There were gifts, large and small (Bryce will be well dressed); toys (new Daddy was having a already good time with them); and some of the necessary items (one can never have too many diapers).

Friends

Cuddly frog

Handmade quilt

Shoes

Uncles in waiting

Geometry - Photoshopped lines & arcs

Marianne took some shots of the Delaware Memorial Bridge last summer as we drove north on I-95. With just a gray bridge and gray sky, I did a little work with PhotoShop to add interest to this image. Applying glowing edges created the black and white image. And replacing color added some flair to the lines and curves of the bridge.

Sky Watch - Holes in the clouds

Last Sunday as the clouds rolled in form the southwest, the sun filled one hole and a contrail crossed another. (The clouds dropped some needed rain as they went by.)

For another impressive sky watch through the clouds, see Venus and Moon on the NASA site.

Window Views - Almost finished

The window work on the County school system's new office building is nearly finished. We are headed south again, this time for baby shower for the soon to be great grandson.

My World - Planting is done

Last Tuesday I posted on our new flowers being planted. They are now all in the ground. We planted over a hundred flowers in the beds around the house this year. Most are geraniums and impatiens, but there were also hosta (see header), hibiscus and a few others.

Geometry - on a bridge

There are many geometrical shapes on this iron and wood footbridge over Carroll Creek in Frederick: spheres, cylinders, swirls, lines, arcs, etc. This is the bridge I posted Friday for Reflections.

To see more geometry, go to Katney's Kaboodle.

PhotoHunt - Half done . . .

planting the new Hibiscus. Years ago Marianne spotted some of these at a Wal-Mart and when I went back to get them the only ones left were a white flower with red center. We planted eight along the fence and eventually four died. This year Marianne spotted them again at a local nursery and did not let them out of her sight. Wednesday I planted the two shown above. The shot below was taken Wednesday night after the rain that interrupted my digging. (The other two were planted Thursday.)

Sky Watch - Riding a kite

Last week I took some brush and weeds to our local composting facility. As I was leaving I spotted a colorful kite in the distance. So I drove to to the end of the park where I took a few shots and could see the person flying the kite.

Actually, "flying" a kite was not what he was doing. He was kite landboarding, a sport I had never seen. I have seen surf boarders being pulled by a kite, but not someone on wheels. With the wind just right he would go a 200 feet or so, then follow the wind in a different direction. Below is a closeup of the harness and his wheels.

Window views - Old rear windows

Remember any of these windows? Make of car? Year?

(answer is at end of post)

1930 Chevrolet, 1930 Ford, 1937 Buick, 1950 Hudson.

My World - Flowers at home

Pincushion bloom and buds

Our flowers have really been blooming. Azaleas, daffodils and lilacs have come and gone. Rhododendrons are in full bloom, even with the loss of some branches to the snow. And the iris are blooming one color after another.

Rhododendron

Iris

But we could not stop with those, so we made several trips to Stadler's, Dutch Farm, Home Depot, Wal-mart, etc. and bought hosta, hibiscus, impatiens (2 kinds, 4 colors), coreopsis, gerbera daisies and geraniums. Marianne wanted lots of color and has long wanted hosta around one of the trees, so we have been digging and planting the past few days. We still have a few more of the bushes to put in the ground, but we definitely have more color in the yard.

Gerbera daisy

New Guinea impatiens under the window

New Guinea impatiens closeup