Wednesday, September 17, 2008

Wings and Wing Nut

If there was an Internet connection up at the cottage, I might not want to come home until close to winter. When Frank's out fishing for hours, I could entertain myself by reading about hard-working ranchers in Alberta from The Bag Lady, the colourful characters in Suldog's Boston and the exotic foods and interesting folks in Kappa No He's Japan. I could spend some time on Russel's Iowa farm or on the bustling city streets of Jo's Vancouver. If I wanted to find a few new blogs to read, I'd click over to Australia to read David's Post of the Day. And I could probably read Frank's wonderful posts before he ever hit the publish button.

But there's no computer there and truthfully, when we're at the cottage, I don't miss it one bit. In fact, if all has gone according to plan, that's where we are right now, and you're reading a scheduled post. So if I haven't been to your blog in a while, or I've not responded to your recent comments on mine, it's only because I'm enjoying the country air, fishing, hiking, building fires, roasting marshmallows, soaking up the scenery and hopefully taking lots of photos.

Below are a few pictures and a short video that I've shot over the past week. The winged creatures were all photographed around local parks. Wing nut Benny was goofing around in my back yard.

I'll be back to catch up with everyone next week. Until then, please try clicking on some of the blogs mentioned above. Most of these folks post frequently, and all of them are very entertaining.



This tiny fly caught my eye because its colour kept changing in the sunlight. Originally its iridescent body gave off a light purple shine but by the time I was able to focus on it with my macro setting, it had a definite green hue. Both colours made it stand out among the petals of this golden rod. (Please click to enlarge)





The same brilliant yellow blooms that contrasted with the fly, now worked to camouflage this bee. (Please click to enlarge)





But you can distinguish it's furry, yellow body quite easily against this purple aster. (Please click to enlarge)





This little moth, resting on a thistle, appears to be weathered and worn. (Please click to enlarge)





I like the way clouds appear in water. This small sparrow sits on the concrete barrier between land and lake. The lake water is behind him, but its body is reflected in a small rain puddle. (Please click to enlarge)





Late in the day, the setting sun painted the clouds a golden orange. A duck bathes in the warm glow of its reflection in the pond. (Please click to enlarge)





This summer, we discovered that Benny loves bubbles. They appeal to the manic (about 99.7%) portion of his brain. He will tirelessly run after, jump and bite every bubble within his reach, and keep searching for those that might have landed somewhere long after the last bubble has been blown.





As you can see, he gets a fair bit of height into those jumps.





Here's a look at his goofy face while on a bubble mission. (Please click to enlarge)





And last, but not least, Wing Nut Benny also enjoys a good game of Flip the Bucket. Please be sure to watch the video of this crazy dog below.






35 comments:

lime said...

aahh, i can hear your sighs of relaxation. thanks for sharing the photos though. do enjoy!

Mental P Mama said...

I hope you are having a marvelous time...and I cannot get enough of Benny!

RiverPoet said...

I am so happy that you are relaxing at the cabin and taking a few moments to breathe. We all need to take the time to relax and get away from the computer now and then.

Beautiful pictures, as always, and loved the video of Bennie!

Peace - D

Cath said...

That is just how it is at the caravan for me. No internet, no intrusions. Just nature and me (and the family of course but you can't have everything. No - I didn't mean that.)

Benny is a complete fruit cake. He had me laughing our loud. He is 100% entertainment value. You could not pay enough to laughs like that.

Love your photography as always. Beautiful stuff - that old butterfly and the bee - wow. Love the duck at sunset. When you get back, please pop over and have a look at a new blog I've started up and I have ventured into writing stories a bit - post of 14th Sep. Let me know what you think and keep sending us those photos!
Since you have no internet at the cabin, I hope you take lots of photos! Enjoy.

Russell said...

Heh!!! Well, Benny steals the show - again!! That video with him having SOOOO much fun with that pail is wonderful!! I am still laughing!!

Have a great rest at the cottage!

gary rith said...

I love purple asters too, dark and light colored! And GO BENNY!

Leah J. Utas said...

Benny is such a pleasure to watch.
I love the macro work you did on the insects. Well done.

the Bag Lady said...

OMG - Benny is hysterical! Loved the video! And the photo of the duck at sunset - gorgeous!

Thanks so much for the link-love!

If I had known you were going to do that, I'd have posted something really exciting today! ~~sigh~~ :)

Suldog said...

First, thank you for the kind words, and the link-love.

Second, great photos, as always. I would definitely buy a book of your work on insects and other small animals. Great eye.

Last, Benny is a hoot!

Have a great vacation!

Reb said...

Wonderful work Hilary. I love the ducks in the golden reflection and the full face Benny with the bubble in front of him. Your macro work is wonderful and that video of Benny is priceless. Air Benny!

Daryl said...

Oh that Benny .. what a hambone .. I have given our animal crazy daughter, Lisa, the link so she can see him too ...

:-Daryl

Pat - Arkansas said...

If you ever get tired of Benny, please send him my way; I'll pay the shipping! Thanks for the video!

The photos are lovely; I especially like the ducks circled in the golden reflection. Beautiful capture, Hillary.

I know you will enjoy your time at the cottage; we'll be looking for more great photos and a good story.

San said...

Bask in the peace, Hilary. It's nice to be unwired sometimes. Really nice.

I miss you and I thank you for these pictures to tide me over.

Anonymous said...

Seems to me someone is having a great time!

Woman in a Window said...

Benny, bubbles and buckets. Even bees. A lot of fun. Liking your world. Have fun at the cottage!

Anonymous said...

Great pictures. I love the one of the duck in the orange reflection. Hope you're having a great time! And the video of Benny was darling. Pets are soo much fun.

photowannabe said...

I'm so jealous, I want to be there too. Wish I was fishing.
Great video of your "wing Nut" and wonderful macros, especially of the irredescent fly.

SandraRee said...

Your photos are always stunning Hilary, love, love Benny!

Enjoy the country air. :)

Cheffie-Mom said...

I hope you have a super time! Thanks for the wonderful pics!

steviewren said...

Its good to know that Benny will never want for the lack of a playmate as long as he has that blue bucket. That dog is too funny!

Hope you are enjoying your time with Frank, the cottage and nature's joys.

Indrani said...

Do have a wonderful vacation, I am sure you will be back with wonderful memories of the place. Great shots, Hilary! You are amazing with your camera!!

Anonymous said...

I never knew that I could adore a dog that I've never met, but that Benny gets me everytime. He's such a hoot!

JC said...

I know your having a great time. I love the pictures. Benny is a hoot. Who needs TV when he is around.

Hilary said...

* Thank you, Lime. Much appreciated. :)

* Thanks, MPM. We did. You're not alone on the Benny front! :)

* Thanks, Riverpoet. The time away was marvelous. Thanks for stopping by. :)

* Thanks so much for your very kind words, Cath. I hear you about "no family" - both the kidding side and the not. ;) I'm anxious to check out your new blog and will do so as soon as I'm back on schedule. Thanks for the visit. :)

* Thanks, Russell. Dogs have a way of stealing scenes. Your Bailey among the top ten scene-stealers of all times! Thanks for stopping by. :)

* Thanks, Gary. I'm glad you enjoyed. :)

* Thanks so much, Leah. Much appreciated. :)

* Thanks, Baggie. You have something fun every day.. no doubt that day was no different. Thanks for stopping by. :)

* Thanks so much for all of your kind words, Sully. Always appreciated. :)

* Thanks very much, Reb. I'm glad you enjoyed it. Do you figure we should be giving Benny basketball lessons? ;)

* Thanks, Daryl. I'm glad you enjoyed Benny and hope that Lisa does too. Thanks for the visit. :)

* Thanks very much, Pat but I think we'll be hanging on to Benny for a while. We know good blog fodder when we see it. ;) Thanks for your always-kind words.

* Thanks kindly, San. Your very kind words are always appreciated. :)

* Someone was, FP! Thanks for stopping by. :)

* Thanks very much, WIAW. All those B's and I didn't even realize it. :)

* Thanks Addhumorandfaith. I totally agree about pets. Thanks for the visit. :)

* Thanks, Photowannabe. The fishing was fine. Your turn next time! Thanks for the kind words. :)

* Thanks very much, Sandra. Much appreciated. :)

* Thanks so much for your kind words, Cheffie Mom. :)

* Thanks, Steviewren. We had a wonderful time. And you're so right about Benny. He always makes his own fun. :)

* Thank you so much, Indrani. I so appreciate your kind words. :)

* Aww thanks, Susan. That's such a sweet sentiment. I'm glad you're getting a kick out of Benny. :)

* Thanks very much, JC. I'm glad Benny has brought his silliness your way. Thanks for the visit. :)

Crabby McSlacker said...

Hope you're having a great time!

More awesome photos; particularly love the bubble chase.

Anonymous said...

Beautiful shots! Love the one of the ducks on the pond! :)

Louise said...

TERRIFIC post! My favorite picture is the duck in the middle of rings going out from it on the water with lots of golden reflections. The video is HILARIOUS!

And I wouldn't miss the internet, either. I love having it, but I get behind on reading on Friday and Saturday and try to catch up on Sunday. I was being creative today, and totaly forgot about it. I think I use it to avoid things I DON'T like, but there is so much to like.

Hope you are having a fabulous time! I know you are. If nothing else, Wing Nut Benny can entertain!

Anonymous said...

Hil, I love your pictures, as usual, but even your photography can't compete with Bubble-Bucket-Benny!!! love, Andi

Jo said...

I hope you're having a wonderful time. My gosh, can it get any more Canadian than that? :-)

Benny is a complete and total hoot!

And who knew a fly could be so beautiful! What gorgeous photos you take!

Hilary said...

• Thanks, Crabby. We sure did! :)

• Thanks very much, Seamus. I'm glad you liked them. :)

• Thank you, Louise. I know what you mean about weekends. It seems there are far fewer posts then all around - which is good because I'd never catch up otherwise. I'm glad you enjoyed the little wing nut. :)

• Thanks, Andi! Bubble Bucket Benny.. I like that one! Thanks for dropping by, big sister. :)

• Thanks so much, Jo. I appreciate your kind words. Yes, the great Canadian cottage getaway... it was wonderful! And I totally agree about Benny. :)

Carolyn said...

Terrific pics all... especially the one of the camouflaged bee. I have one very similar with the bee almost invisible in the middle of the flower. It's like a little game of Where's Waldo! Tee hee.

And thanks for stopping by with encouraging words about my new photography business. Means a lot coming from a wonderful photographer such as yourself!

Colleen said...

Ok. I can't choose a favorite here. They are all amazing. BUT I'm a sucker for little animals so I liked the little bird and duck. BTW the video of your pup-adorable.

Hilary said...

• Thanks so much for your kind words, Carolyn. Where's Waldo cracked me up. Thanks for stopping by. :)

• Thanks kindly, Colleen. I'm glad you liked them. :)

Chica, Cienna, and Cali said...

haha....benny is funny!!!! Funny Benny!!! :) he's the cutest ....
and getting away from internet et al every once in a while is good for......................ummm soul ??? :)

Hilary said...

It's good for something, I'm sure, Moi. Thanks for stopping by and enjoying Benny. :)