Tuesday, December 25, 2012

A Few Pictures from Christmas

Barb Reid, Kitty and Ken

Yumiko and Ken

Toto in the Bag

Peter

Peter and Anna

Friday, December 21, 2012

The Tongue of the Pileated Woodpecker


Close Encounter with an Eight Pointer (Click Photos for Close Up View)

My friend Maryann warned me about getting too close to the deer in case one decided I was too much of a pest and might come after me.  Well yesterday as I was looking for my little forest friends I spotted an eight point buck resting in the middle of the woods.  I took my time and started talking to him, telling him what a handsome boy he was and taking his photograph.  He was fine and just looked a little bored and I think he wished I would just shut up.  Then he started rubbing his back legs together - not sure what that meant, but it did scare me a little.  I kept my cool and continued to photograph when he put his head down and sort of looked at me like I might be a potential girl friend.

Then he did a little hop over the fallen branches and started coming towards me with the same glint still in his eye.  He got so close I couldn't get all of him in the viewfinder and I thought just maybe I ought to back up a little.



Then while I was backing up, this pretty little doe appeared and thought I was a new friend.  She nosed right up to me and I could practically hold out my hand and pet her.  She did a few face ups in the air and then strolled off into the woods.  


I continued to take pictures of the big boy as he finally went out into the field to have some lunch and hopefully get away from the strange lady with the camera.  Ahhh, another day at Valley Forge.

Wednesday, December 19, 2012

Little Fox At Valley Forge

I need patience.  I saw this pretty little red fox roaming the fields on my way into Valley Forge yesterday.  I needed to park the car and then hike back down the field to get in a good position for the light all the while praying he would still be there.  I got to the bottom of the hill and there he was.  It was good light, but I couldn't resist getting a little closer to get better pictures.  He spotted me and ran away.  Next time......

Sunday, December 16, 2012

Skimmers En Masse

It's been cold and rainy outside and not much fun for taking pictures, so I looked through and found this one from last summer.  This was a day on Nickerson Beach on Long Island, New York with Art Morris. Oh, what a day it was.  Click picture for a better view.

Wednesday, December 12, 2012

Yellow Bellied Sapsuckers for My Sister Julia D.

These two Yellow Bellied Sapsuckers are Father on the left and juvenile son or daughter on the right. My sister Julie says when we were children and afraid to do something that frightened us, our mother would call us Yellow Bellied Sapsuckers.  Well Ma, these guys are so pretty, nothing will frighten us ever again. Julie, don't do this, but everybody else, click on the picture to get a better view.

Saturday, December 8, 2012

Yumiko's Recital

Yumiko had her violin recital today and made both Ken and me cry.  She was so so good and was given the "Outstanding Performance" Award.  Here she is practicing at home, just before we went to the program.  (Oh those bragging old parents.)