The Goldfinch Today in Valley Forge

Blue Jay Mom and Babe Having Lunch Delivered

"Mommmmmeeeeeeee"

Anticipation

The Delivery

The Indigo Bunting

Mr. Indigo Bunting was not happy with me.  He had a nest in a bush just by the path into the woods.  I just stayed put and he just flew around me, yelling at me to take my big lens and please go home.  So I did.

The Black Swallowtail Caterpillar with Ostemerium

This little sweetie is growing up on my fennel plant.  His mom, the Black Swallowtail Butterfly laid her eggs on a leaf nearby the fennel.  See those yellow horns on top?  That is his Ostemerium, which is a defense mechanism.  A little yellow internal organ pops out when the caterpillar feels threatened.  (I had to tickle him a little to get the picture.)

Weekend Up the Mountains

Alpacas, kestrels, warblers, dragonflies and good friends.  Does not get much better.  Had a wonderful weekend with Barb Schindler McGarry and Maryann Gorman at Barb's house somewhere in the mountains of Pennsylvania.

Mr. Goldfinch in Valley Forge after the Rain Yesterday (Click for best view)

Momma and the Kids

The Nymph Leaf Hopper (Coelidia Olitoria)

This little guy is about the size of the head of a pin, but oh what an amazing species.  Check out his green eyes, black toe nails, whiskers, long legs, and his hose like mouth piece.

Back Side - Check out those feet and toenails and long, long legs

Proud Profile

Got my own six legged chair.  Just leaning back and pulling on my whisker

Having a little Japanese Maple Juice Using My Maple Juice Straw

Walking on Thistle Blossoms

Redwing Blackbird and the Doe

The doe had mistakenly stepped into the nest of the Red Winged Black Bird.  The bird tried his best to move the doe along.  Finally she turned around and jumped away in her own good time.

Chipmunk in Mid Air

I spent an hour with this little guy who had either a nest or a storage container buried in the ground just a few feet from where I was sitting low to the ground.  The chipmunk initially came with a huge well compacted bunch of leaves in his mouth, ran as fast as he could leaping across the grass, buried into his hole, then came out and ran away.  About five minutes later he came back again and again, no longer with leaves showing, but his cheeks full and bulging.  Although it was an easy target, I only got a few photographs of him in midair and in focus.  Most fun hour I've had in a few weeks.

Old Friends

Had a wonderful get together at my house with very special friends for dinner today.  We figured out we have been friends for 34 years, but we have not all gotten together for probably 20 years.  Too too too long....  These were my old church friends.  Oh so fun to be together.

From left: Christy (DeHann) Todd, Burt Todd holding Canolli, Carol (Trifilletti) Longacre, Judy Magann, John Magann, Your's truly holding Tango, and the Great Tom Longacre kneeling in front.

Where's Waldo?

Little chipmunk was at the top of a tree stuffing little berries in his mouth when he heard the click of the camera and took a look down at the photographer. (Click on chipmunk to see that little wonderful face.)

Little Robins Waiting for Breakfast while Mom is Watching (Click for Better Viewing)

Back Talk

Indigo Bunting Calling All the Single Ladies in Valley Forge yesterday

The Indigo Bunting in Valley Forge Yesterday

Snapping Turtle Stops Traffic

This big beauty was trying to cross the street in front of Eastern College Pond today.  Normally the traffic is wizzing by at that location, but the turtle stopped traffic in both directions.  People were out of their cars, using umbrellas and large sticks trying to get the turtle to move.  She was not moving except for snapping at everybody.  Finally things calmed down.  People backed off and she raised her head and slowly and elegantly crossed the road and disappeared into the brush. The traffic resumed and she will live to see another day.