Too Much Sake

Great Blue Taking Off for Ken This Afternoon at Eastern College Pond

How You Know When You Really Love Someone

As many of you know, Ken went into the hospital on Saturday morning at 1:00 a.m.  He had not felt well all week and had a terrible cough.  We went to bed Friday night about 10:00 and at 1:00 in the morning his breathing was so bad I had to call 911.  The police and ambulance were here in seconds.  They whisked Ken up out of bed and on to a gurney and off to the emergency room at Bryn Mawr Hospital.  I quickly got dressed, packed up some needed stuff and got to the hospital myself about 15 minutes later.  When I got there, Ken was already in a room all hooked up to IV tubes and breathing systems and the nurses said it was a good decision to call 911.  We stayed in the emergency room until about 8:30 a.m. when he was finally admitted to the hospital.  I got home from the hospital about 1:00 in the afternoon and when I got home I decided to let friends and family know what was happening.

One person I e-mailed was Ken's chorus group leader who then forwarded my message on to all Ken's good friends in his chorus group.  I immediately got a call from one of the loveliest people on the face of this earth - Ayumi Green.  She asked when she could go and see Ken in the ICU.  I said it might be good to wait a little bit.  We said our good byes.  Then I went to the train station to pick up Yumiko who had just gotten home from college.  About an hour later Ken's cell phone rang and it was Ayumi calling.  I couldn't hear her voice very well.  It sounded like she was sobbing.  I was so alarmed, but she kept sobbing.  I was telling her to calm down.  Just take a deep breath.  She kept sobbing.  So I started sobbing and sort of silently screaming thinking the absolute worst.  Yumiko was right by my side and she started sobbing.  Finally after maybe two minutes of this sobbing - I hear Ayumi say in a very relaxed voice "Hello?"  I say "Ayumi?"  She says "Yes?  Who's this?"  I tell her it is Kitty.  And she tells me she must have "butt dialed" me and that she was not sobbing at all.  That it was just her phone in her pocket as she was moving around the kitchen.

You cannot imagine the flood of relief that went through my and Yumiko's bodies.  I truly felt I was taken to the brink and then back to life.  In those two minutes I realized how terribly terribly much I love my Ken.

Here's a little picture of the three of us taken for Christmas just about three weeks ago.  And the second picture taken at the same time is a recreation of one we took when Yumiko was just two.  We've all grown a little older and at least I have grown a little fatter.  And oh how I love that man and that wonderful girl.  We are all blessed.

Five Long Eared Owls in the Woods Today (Click to See All Five)

I went back AGAIN today, but this time I brought my 70 - 200mm lens so I could actually get a little more of the scene in the picture.  There were two more owls on another branch, but I couldn't get them altogether.  Guess I'll just have to go back again!

Alex, Abby and Avery Come for a Little Photo Session

Lifting of My Heart

I stayed away from my owl house for a few days this past week, but today I got lonely and went back.  When I got there - nothing.  Not a sound and not a bird.  My heart sank.  Oh, those owls were so spectacular and I must have scared them away.  I was truly heart broken.  I decided to still descend down to the bottom of the little cliff just in case.  I started talking again to what I thought was no one.  And then.... there they were.  But this time, not just six, but SEVEN long eared owls.  I felt such a wave of relief and restored faith.  Oh, what a thrill to see them again.  I think (or maybe I'm just dreaming) they may be kind of getting used to me, as they all stayed calm and didn't fly around.  They just sat on their perches and basically slept or opened their eyes just a little. Here are a few shots from today. (Click photo for better view.)

Bluebird Contemplatin

Northern Harrier Hawk in Valley Forge This Morning

Back to the Long Eared Owls

Yesterday I went back to the Owl woods and found six of them all roosting together and all kind of wishing I would just go away.  When I first got there and looked down from the top of the cliff with my camera I scared them and one blew up to at least twice his original size (see photo below and click for full effect.)  I guess he was trying to scare me back.  I again started talking to them in a soft voice and slid slowly down the cliff on my backside while holding the big lens.  I was able to slowly walk around to face them and get a good enough view to avoid all the twigs and leaves they were hiding behind.  Oh my, it is just amazing to see these beautiful creatures so close.  I have to restrain myself and give them space and not go back for a while so they will stay.  Keep your fingers crossed.

Long Eared Owls

I went back to Valley Forge and the little grove of trees where I found the owls yesterday.  I read in my bird book that these little long eared owls are very elusive and camouflage themselves so well.  I wondered if they would still be there.  I went into the grove and waited quietly for a few minutes.  Finally one flew across the floor of the deep valley in the grove.  It was hard to find him, but I did.  I started photographing but there were so many branches I knew I would have to get closer and get a better angle.  I also knew I could easily scare them.  So I just decided to start talking to them very quietly but constantly and soothingly so they might relax.  AND IT WORKED.  It took me about an hour but I slowly worked my way down to the floor of the valley sliding down the side of the cliff on my butt while holding my big camera up and all the time talking to the birds.  They just stayed and stared.  I got almost too close, but I had to get low and point the camera up or the branches would get in the way.  Finally I got there, took a million pictures, thanked the little guys so much for their patience and kindness and came home a happy camper.

Owls and Bluebirds

Great day in Valley Forge.  I was stalking a buck and decided to hide in the woods so he wouldn't see me.  As I walked I noticed some bluebirds in the brush and was able to catch one eyeing a red berry.

After a few minutes the bluebird flew away and I just waited quietly for him to return, but instead I heard and saw a bit of commotion in the midst of all the branches in the brush.  I looked closely and couldn't believe that I was seeing a great horned owl.  But it wasn't just one owl, but FOUR!!  I've only seen one owl once years ago and to see four was such a thrill.  See three of the four in the photograph below.  They are pretty well camouflaged. Final photo is the owl as I was leaving the brush area.

New Book "T A N Z A N I A"

Go ahead - take a look.  Just click on the link below and you will get to the preview page, click on the four arrows pointing in opposite direction and it will bring the book to you full screen.

T A N Z A N I A by Kitty Riley Kono | Make Your Own Book