Winter Wonderland

I woke up this morning to 6" of beautiful, wet and heavy snow.  The first thing I heard were the chickadees letting me know I needed to fill the bird feeder.  It is now full and they are SO HAPPY!

Hummingbird

This statue of a hummingbird was located in a park near the hummingbird reserve in Ecuador.  The hummingbirds were just zipping here and there.  So wonderful to just sit and watch them.

Ecuador Boy

This little guy was playing by climbing the trees in a local park.  He was NOT camera shy and was enjoying having the tourist take his picture.

Butterfly Garden in Ecuador

This is a butterfly garden I visited this year in Ecuador.  The little boy was so cute I just couldn't resist photographing him. He was twirling so there is a  bit of movement but the more I looked at the photo the more I liked it.  Not everything has to be in focus.  The caterpillar and the large butterfly is an owl butterfly.

Happy Thanksgiving

Wishing all of you a Happy Thanksgiving. 

Ecuador - El Pahuma Orchid Preserve

This is a beautiful rain forest area in Ecuador that I visited this July.  On this cold morning please enjoy these photos and I hope it warms you. 

Eastern King Bird

Sorry, but the past two days have been VERY busy and I haven't had time to post any photos.  I'm going back to a summer photo with this one.  This is an Eastern King Bird.  Hope to get back to current photos in the next couple of days.  Enjoy.

Ecuadorian Local

On my last trip to Ecuador I went to a volcanic caldera.  Some of the locals were selling their wares nearby and I purchased a beautiful alpaca sweater from this wonderful lady.  Neither of us spoke the others language but we managed to communicate.

Galapagos Islands

View of Galapagos Islands from my 2011 trip.  To get this view I had to climb 375 steps.  It was a LONG way up and I felt each and every one of those steps but the view was fantastic.

Good-Bye Fall

Almost all of the leaves have fallen, winter is just around the corner, but for just a moment go back in time and enjoy one last photo of fall beauty.

Barred Owl

This photo was taken this summer.  It is a Barred Owl that flew into my oak tree in the back yard.

Sheep

I was driving down River Road in Saginaw County when I saw these sheep.  They brought to mind my Uncle Gus who used to shear sheep.

Northern Hawk Owl

This beauty was photographed in Alaska but during the winter months (first snow today!!), these will migrate to Michigan's Upper Peninsula.  They are a gorgeous bird of prey.

Kicking Leaves

The past few days, before the rain moved in, I had been able to get out to a lot of local parks and take walks.  I don't care how old you are, there is nothing more enjoyable than kicking leaves in the fall.  I just love the sound of leaves crunching under your feet and Kicking Leaves!!  

Mickie & Lady

It's a rainy day here today so I thought I'd use a picture I took this summer.  My sister and I "trade" doggie sitting duties for each other's dog.  My Mickie, and my sister's Lady, normally ignore each other and usually stay as far apart from each other as possible.  On one occasion they were both on the back of the couch, which is their favorite spot.  This picture perfectly captures Mickie's  (the apricot cockapoo) attitude toward his "cousin" Lady.  They say "a picture is worth a thousand words", and this photo certainly says it all.

SMILE

Saw this "family" of rocks near Hemlock, MI.  Have a great day.  It's going to be the last nice day for a few so get out there and enjoy it.

Wrinkles

That explains all the wrinkles on my face. 

Buck and Doe

These two were photographed in my back yard.  The doe was photographed just a couple of days ago but the buck was photographed a few years ago when I first moved here.  I never get tired of seeing these beautiful creatures.  I am so blessed to live where I do and be able to witness nature every day.

Leaves in Water

Driving down the road and saw this beautiful river with fall leaves.

Fall Fungs

  I've spent the past several days, with my Mickie, enjoying this gorgeous weather.  Here is a selection of some of the Fall Fungus I've seen while geocaching and hiking the trails of several local parks. 

Lucy

Lucy is my friend Lori's dog.  She has a full house with 2 dogs and 2 cats.  Lucy has such a sweet face.