Friday, November 15, 2013

Autumn Wings

I'm officially living at my new digs amid boxes and disoriented kitties. Ben was a tad happier to see them than they were to see him but he, along with Frank and I represent the familiar, and they're taking to his love attacks and this foreign territory far better than I worried they might. Mostly, they stay in the basement by day and wander the house at night. 
 
My son, Alex stayed here the first night with them after transporting them up here, and they keep entering the room where he slept, looking for him. It tugs at the heart. They'll miss him and he, them. And I'll miss him more than I can say. But I'm home now. On to a new adventure!

These photos were taken back near my old place while still preparing to move. It will be a while until I get recent photos uploaded and I can pay more attention to blogging. I hope you wonderful people will stand by until then. I will get back to my regular blogging routine before TOO long. Or maybe a tad longer than that.

All those golden autumn days the sky was full of wings.
~ Laura Ingalls Wilder



2
It was these pretty spiky flowers which caught my eye at first. Some of you probably know what they are. A bit of Googling tells me that they might be celosia. You are invited to tell me if I'm wrong about that. All I know is that they're quite beautiful but it wasn't long before my focus was on the wasp climbing the spikes.





4
While my macro lens was fixed on him, another one came into the picture. I took lots of images and concluded that they were either fighting or mating. In this photo, they were head to head. At other times it appeared that other body parts were meshing.





gills
I'm cheating here. There's nary a wing to be seen. Just a bunch of gils and a tiny explorer.

 



sparrow trio
This trio of sparrows were sitting pretty for the camera.






sparrow landing
But they scattered a bit when this one came in for a landing.






sunflower and bug
A yellow lady bug looks so proper on the sunflower.






hovering
This little bee hovers and decides which flower is worthy of him.





8
Oh don't look so surprised. We both knew you wanted to see those parts meshing - or about to. I still think they're just wrestling. ;)

More photos coming up before too much longer.

52 comments:

photowannabe said...

Yippee!! You're in your new home.
It does take time to get settled...actually after 6 1/2 years in our new place we have finally emptied some boxes.....Obviously it was things we really didn't need. Some will go to charity and some will be sold on EBay.
Love the intimate photos of the wasps.

TexWisGirl said...

you make me laugh. :)

YAY for relocation completion!!! the boxes always take time to unpack and let the dust re-settle in its new place. glad the kitties and benny are managing! :)

Linda said...

Great close-ups! Hope you enjoy your new home thoroughly!

Anvilcloud said...

This post kind of bugs me. ;)

Gail Dixon said...

I've seen those wasps "meshing" as you so nicely put it, but never face to face, lol! I have pics of them with their ends connected which I thought meant mating. I've not seen them in this...ahem...position. That just might be a celosia.

Glad you are getting all moved in and settled, along with the family pets. Can't wait to see pics of your new surroundings. I'll be here waiting...:)

Ruth Hiebert said...

Your pictures are always beautiful.

Lisa Gordon said...

Wishing you the very best in your new home, Hilary!

DJan said...

Hanging in there, glad you are finally there! :-)

Cloudia said...

You SCHOOLED me again with those awesome shots!

Kitties will acclimatize. And your son is with you forever, lucky lady.
Best in your new home

Fond ALOHA from Honolulu
Comfort Spiral
=^..^= <3

Glo said...

So happy to hear you have landed! A new adventure for sure ~ wishing you well as you unload your belongings and add to the cosiness.

What amazing photos ~ I have an aversion to wasps since I swell up like a pumpkin if I'm stung, but I can admire their striking markings from a distance on your photos. I wouldn't want to see one eye to eye, nor mesh around with them either. ;)

Indrani said...

Tiger striped wasp!!! I have one visiting y balcony often. I need some courage to photograph them.

Red said...

with winter here, it's really nice to see some very colorful flowers. Throw in a few horny wasps and you've got summer.

Anonymous said...

So that's how they do it:-) Welcome to your new home. Hope you have many happy years there. As far as I am concerned, take your time unpacking, I'll be here when you get back.

ADRIAN said...

Beautiful macros. You were on top form.
Enjoy your new home.

Unknown said...

Fabulous captures!!! love its..

Out on the prairie said...

great shots, love the macro. When I first saw the spike flower I thought Gomphrena.

Bob Bushell said...

Beautiful insects on brilliant flowers, and the lovely birds.

Anonymous said...

Glad your new house is becoming home...

Linda at To Behold The Beauty said...

Well, I'm so glad to hear that Skittles and Zephyr are adapting to their new surroundings. It probably helps that there are two of them. And Alex is just going to have to come for frequent visits. Great photos, as always. I absolutely love the sunflower shot.

Gayle said...

We will take any bit of you that we can! So happy that you are settling. The furry folks will do just fine in time. Love, love your photos/prose.

Rosaria Williams said...

Glad you are finally moved. Loved the colors and the end of season spectacles you captured.

stephen Hayes said...

Love the image of the yellow lady bug on the sunflower. Strong design and color.

ds said...

Hooray! You're finally moved in. Such a relief, I'm sure. Love all the photos, but enjoyed particularly the sparrows on the yellow birdhouse, and that glorious sunflower with the yellow ladybug. A symphony, that.
Enjoy settling in.

Brian Miller said...

ha you are getting all kinds of action shots....i love the colors in the yellow flower! welcome to your new home...i know it has to feel good to get a little settled....

Kerry said...

Birds and bees! So glad to hear the move is becoming complete.

messymimi said...

Ah, you can't even enjoy nature shows -- nothing but sex and violence! (grin) Beautiful shots.

Rita said...

Stunning photos, as usual. Can hardly wait to see all the pics of your new home once you are settled in. :)

yaya said...

I'm blushing at the bee shots..hehe! Really cool pics and I'm glad you're moved in and getting settled! Can't wait for more beautiful shots of your lake!

Lynne with an e said...

The photos warmed me with their bright happy colours and the words with your always charming wit! Congratulations on making the Big Move!

Anonymous said...

Gorgeous shots - I love that first one. Hope you get settled into your new home soon.

Betty Manousos said...

yaay you are in your new home-i'm so excited!
i know from my own personal experience that the boxes always take days to unpack...
wishing you the very best in your new home, my dearest!

wonderful photos, the sunflower is really stunning btw.

happy weekend!

Kerri Farley said...

Glad you are getting settled in!!! Always LOVE your pics!!

Kat said...

Yay! Finally in your new digs! It must be such a relief. Of course, the transition period is always difficult but it must feel good to finally be getting settled.

The photos are amazing! The pic of the bee hovering about the flower is outstanding!!!!

Unknown said...

I must admit that you make really nice and professional photos!

lonelyblogs.com

ellen abbott said...

Wonderful shots as usual Hilary. How nice to finally be in your new home and starting on your new adventure.

Daryl said...

these are wonderful, you are a master of macro!!!!! and i am sure the kits will settle in just fine

axxxelsz said...

very nice photos. I-m happy to find your blog... I will follow :)

Greetings from Romania

Sharon Wagner said...

The bees are getting busy!

Pauline said...

Glad to hear you are in even though you are not quite settled yet. Aren't new adventures fun?

Pat Hatt said...

Great shots,like lots and the bird landing away, sure makes quite the display!

Midlife Roadtripper said...

Cheers to a new home and a new adventure. Patience in blogging comes with the territory. Hope you find many beautiful new subjects for your incredible photos.

Our photos said...

Beautiful are the photos!
Greetings from Holland, RW & SK

SandyCarlson said...

I am glad you are in your new place. Your photos are beautiful!

Jackie said...

Welcome home.
What a happy place...and beauty all around. You capture it perfectly.
You are a magnificent photographer!

Catherine said...

Of course they are! Enjoy your new home Hilary x

Mage said...

Thanks for taking the time to post the photos while you unpack. What a wonderful, beautiful new life is ahead. The kittens will adjust....you have.

Geraldine said...

I hope you are settling in at your new place Hilary, what an exciting time for you and the felines too! :<)

Geraldine said...

I hope you are settling in at your new place Hilary, what an exciting time for you and the felines too! :<)

Lisa said...

By now your moved and these are amazing shots.

Karen (formerly kcinnova) said...

Someone has probably already written something about the birds and the bees being featured on your blog...
I'm glad you are finally in your new home! Take your time in settling in, helping the kitties adjust (and yourself, too!) -- we'll still be here.
I am amazed that you were that close to those wasps. I would have been far, far away!

Jenn Jilks said...

Yep. Happy with the lovely photos! Unpack away.

Anonymous said...

okay, I'm caught up with your new digs now! :-)