Monday, June 20, 2011

It's On!

Back to my summer schedule, it looks like I'll be enjoying some cottage time semi-soon. Some of you may have already noticed that my visits have been dwindling and my comment responses are often lacking. I won't apologize because when I do, so many of you kind folks tell me not to, and to just enjoy my real life away from the computer. So I'm going to do just that.

Through the summer, I'll visit when I can, comment when I can and put together the Posts of the Week when I can. And when I can't, you can be sure I'll still be taking lots of photos to share with you when I find that time to do that.

For now, I'm scheduling a few posts and my online time will be sporadic. I may pop in here and there. But I may not. Oh, who am I kidding? I probably will. But if I don't, you'll know that I'm off experiencing new photo opportunities.


Summer mode is officially ON!

poppy bloom 3
Red poppy in full bloom - a side view



poppy bloom
And a little more over the top.



closeup leaf
An up close and personal view of a red maple leaf as seen in the previous post.



apple blossoms
Crab apple blossoms. As fresh as spring itself.



muskrat
A cute little muskrat makes its way down the shore bank after grabbing a few dandelion leaves to bring to its home.



muskrat2
He brought the leaves into the water and swam several yards before disappearing into the bank.


faceoff
Faceoff at the seed post, between a cowbird and sparrow. Nobody won. They both took off when they heard the camera click. Edited to add that these are actually two cowbirds - the male on the left and female on the right. They were not facing off but merely enjoying a romantic dinner together. Now I know what they flew off to do. This information courtesy of Frank.



male cowbird
Another cowbird watching from a small branch.



beautiful grackle
As I sat watching the creek water gurgle and swirl past me, this handsome grackle stopped by to have a bath and a drink along the opposite shore. The sunlight certainly brought out his best colours.

49 comments:

Joanna Jenkins said...

Enjoy your summer Hilary-- We'll be here when you have time.
Thanks for the gorgeous photos-- I love the poppies!
xo jj

photowannabe said...

I'm happy you are going to have some special "ME" time. Enjoy yourself. You will be missed but I'll check back to see your fab. pictures often.

Pierre BOYER said...

Lovely...
Great pictures...
Regards from Paris,

Pierre

Birdie said...

Hilary,

I really enjoy your photos. In my topsy turvy world they bring me calm. Thank you for that.

Anyes said...

Hilary Enjoy a beautiful summer and come to visit anytime you feel like it :-)

Cloudia said...

How do you bewitch the birds? Such great shots!



Aloha from Honolulu :)

Comfort Spiral

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Cloudia said...

Do take time for Summer - just post/visit when you can :)

Anonymous said...

Wonderful... Enjoy the summer - I look forward to the photos. Love the face-off one, by the way.

Zuzana said...

Stunning close ups my dear friend.;) Enjoy your life and the summer, see you around.;))
xoxo

Sueann said...

Oh what wonderful photos!!!! Love the poppy and that grackle's colors were amazing!!
Enjoy your summer vaca!!!! Stop by when you can!
Hugs to you
SueAnn

ADRIAN said...

Your photographs get better and better. Beautiful.

Brian Miller said...

enjoy the summer hilary...cant wait to see those photo opportunities...about to take a little break myself...

Ruth Hiebert said...

I love all these pictures.Those Poppies are incredibly bright and beautiful.Have a wonderful relaxing summer.

Bonnie Zieman, M.Ed. said...

Hilary - your first image is the most stunning photo of a poppy I have ever seen! Incredible. The light!!!

Enjoy your summer and I along with so many others will keep an eye out for when you do post.

crabby mcslacker said...

Wow, what breathtaking photos. We will of course allow you to take a break and commune with nature, because you always bring it back for us to enjoy--all the pretty stuff with no sunburn, poison ivy, or mosquitoes to contend with!

Hope it's an awesome summer.

Elizabeth Grimes said...

Lol. I love the face off. Enjoy your summer!

Reena said...

Great pics ... love the face off...have lots of summer fun... and enjoy all the beauty of it! Later, friend.....

Anvilcloud said...

Enjoy your summer.

Leah J. Utas said...

Love the muskrat and the bird pics. Have a great summer, Hilary.

Unknown said...

A poppy can never be too over the top. God meant them to be gaudy.

:-D

DJan said...

Whenever you are around, it is to my benefit. A little or a lot, I know you will be back! Happy Summer!!

TexWisGirl said...

well, as long as you leave us with a few of these images now and again, we'll let you get away with just about anything. thanks for sharing the sweet beauty!

Lynne with an e said...

That first photo of the poppy is simply gorgeous! It is the very essence of summer. Gosh, I hope we get one here (summer, that is). Enjoy yours to the max!

Anonymous said...

the face-off...brilliant!!

have fun!

Out on the prairie said...

Very nice collection of photos. I watched grackles along a river fishing for tiny minnows the other day. They were very good at staying away from the current.

the Bag Lady said...

Happy Summer to you! Enjoy.

ellen abbott said...

oh, that poppy is just gorgeous. and you know I love your bird photos. have a great summer. mine is looking to be a bit busy as well.

Linda at To Behold The Beauty said...

The detail in that first poppy image is so sharp that the flower could have been made of crisp paper. Beautiful. And I loved the face off at the seed post and the cowbird on the branch.

Bob Bushell said...

Beautiful pictures. Oh, I'll miss you, but, have the summer vacation.

Daryl said...

Oh these are so good ... I miss you when you dont visit/email but I totally understand because I dont do much blog hopping on the weekends in the summertime .. do not trust Blogger's Scheduled posting .. not a single post I set up to 'post ahead' has posted at the time I set .. GAH

Gary's third pottery blog said...

I'm nuts about the poppies too :)

Anonymous said...

That maple leaf is like liquid gold!

Enjoy the summer!

CiCi said...

Wherever you were when you took these photos, it is such a lush place. Beautiful. If I miss you too much I will email you just to stay in touch. Have a great time.

Kristina P. said...

Have a great time! I love poppies. I think they are one of my favorite flowers.

Jayne said...

Oh, Hilary, what a feast for the eyes! Enjoy your time away, it's what summer is for. :)

Gail Dixon said...

Enjoy your time! I'm always amazed when a blogger replies personally to a comment I made. It is nice, but certainly not expected. I'd rather you focus your attention on bringing beautiful photos to your blog. I enjoyed each one of these. Well done!!

Dianne said...

nobody turns summer on the way you do!
enjoy the cottage life

Anonymous said...

These are gorgeous as usual. Enjoy your time away from the computer!

messymimi said...

Happy to wait, the photos are always worth it.

SandyCarlson said...

Those poppies are poppin'! Beautiful stuff. Happy summer to you!

Scott Law said...

These photos are so nice. They make me want to go lounge by the creek. Now I just have to go find a creek that isn't bursting over the shoreline with all this snow melting out of the mountains.

Saz said...

wow love the poppy. I can almost see it breathe...its awesome!

saz x

Mental P Mama said...

Enjoy!!!!

Anonymous said...

i've been away from cyber ~ space and as i start peeking in on everyone... it seems like the photos & posts only get better :)

That Janie Girl said...

I've never seen a muskrat! Beautiful photos, thanks so much!

Have some good "you" time!

Hilary said...

Thanks everyone. You folks are the best. :)

Betty Manousos said...

simply gorgeous!!

enjoy your "me" time.
you do deserve it!

betty

Lisa said...

Hilary enjoy your time and I will be here to enjoy your energy and photos. Thanks for letting us all know. Have fun!!! So much Fun.

lime said...

oh that poppy's color is just glorious! it's like a summer sunset.