Nice Morning

As a matter of fact, it was a beautiful morning. And Villas Girl had the day off. She asked me if I'd like to go over to Hereford Inlet. Sure I would!

We started out a little after 9:, and stopped on the way at the site of the osprey nests we had seen before. No babies in the nests now of course, but we did see the parent birds.

I guess I'll post one of my photos, but Lisa always gets closer and nicer shots than I do, and she'll probably be posting them soon. I stayed in the car for this one. She got out and got closer.





I do enjoy just looking out over the wetlands. the grasses along the road are beautiful.










Then we continued on to Hereford Lighthouse.




I was in seventh heaven, because there were so many butterflies today. I knew I wouldn't be able to capture many on film. I'm just too slow moving. But I had hopes. And I did manage a couple. I hope Lisa caught some. This is what I was able to do.
















There were a few other fuzzy ones, and there are a few pictures I really haven't examined too closely yet, but these are the best.














I had a lot better luck with the sparrows at the feeder.

They're easy.










And the gardens are as lovely as ever.


















They never seem to fail to outdo the summer before.








I think there was one year when I wasn't too happy with them. But that was really a matter of my own taste.

Others seemed to be just as thrilled as always. And that was the one and only time that I had any reservations.









I have visited these gardens at all times of day and in most kinds of weather. I sometimes like to just sit on a bench in a corner somewhere and listen to the birds and watch the butterflies and the squirrels going about their busy little lives. It's beautiful.






I was very glad that Lisa invited me to join her today. I always enjoy her company and we share a love of nature and of photography.














After she dropped me off at home, she continued on to the Nature Center in Goshen. I'm sure she'll have lots to tell you about that as well as lots more about the ospreys and the gardens, accompanied by her pictures.

Summer

Lisa, the Villas Girl, and I celebrated the first day of summer yesterday. She called and asked me if I'd like to take a ride to see if we could find the osprey nest she'd heard about. Of course I would.

We took the scenic route, getting there. I love being a passenger instead of driver. I get to look around more.

The ospreys are nesting on boxes placed in the wetlands fairly close to the highway. I am surprised at the proximity to traffic, but it certainly makes for easier photography. When we reached the spot, both parent birds were on the nest. When we stopped, papa got agitated and circled us the whole time we were there.. Mama continued to feed their three chicks, and I got some fairly decent pictures. Lisa's camera is better than mine, and she got some really stunning shots. I'm sure she will post some soon.

When we decided to move on, I told Lisa that we were not far from Hereford Inlet. We decided to go there before heading home.

The gardens are well established now. I think they will be lovely, as usual when they have a chance to do some more growing. Right now there are lots of lilies everywhere. There are also some hollyhocks - one of my favorite old fashioned flowers.

We also got an added surprise. Lisa started climbing the steps to the lighthouse entrance, when she said, "Is that a duck?" It was. A female mallard was walking back and forth in the garden under the steps. Lisa continued into the gift shop, and spoke to a woman there, who immediately grabbed a bag of grain and ran out to feed the duck. It seems that Mr. and Mrs. Mallard appear there every year. They never bring their babies, but one at a time shows up for a hand-out.

The duck enjoyed her meal for a while, and then walked over to a garden hose which was coiled up near the building. The woman called a gentleman to come out, and he went to the hose and turned it on, making a puddle for the duck to drink from. She was very territorial, chasing away the pigeons who tried to join the party.




We had a lovely afternoon.



As always - click on pictures to enlarge.