Exploring the Lakes

On Sunday, my sister and I went to the lake (American Legion) to walk and explore. 

This picture was made from the dam, but with the long lens.  The birds are in the far end of the lake.  We walked around a little farther to get some of the pictures.

 



This Egret was fishing for his supper when I stopped by Legion Lake today.

On Monday we had an appointment in Columbus and stopped by the Tombibbee Lock and Dam. There were lots of Canada Geese there and flocks of them would get up and circle around a few times and then land again.  Getting their exercise, I guess.

A lone Egret was fishing on the other side.  This was right by the road as we were driving away.

Water Hycinths were blooming around the edges of the water.

When these water lilies are dried, the center pod is an interesting addition to dried arrangements.

The blooms and pads were huge!

This Lily Pad seems to be floating on air!

(Sorry these are mixed up.  We are back at Legion Lake in the picture below.) 

The Geese saw us and started moving off to the right.  This picture and all those below were made at the American Legion Lake, which is about a mile from our house.

This will give you an idea how many Geese were at the lake.

The Egrets and Geese must be good friends.

One of the Egrets took flight and circled around several times before landing again.

There were lots of these unknown orange wildflowers blooming around the waters edge.

A few patches of foliage were changing colors!

Today, I'm thankful that we are still able to get out and explore the great outdoors! 

Today's Hummers

Is this what she thinks about the long journey ahead?

See my pretty green feathers?

This is my mean look!  You had better move over!

Ahhh!  I have the feeder all to myself!

Just singing my squeaky little song.

Let's all Welcome a New Blogger!

 (This is one of Reba's pictures I 'borrowed' from her blog)

Let's all welcome Reba, a brand new blogger!!  She loves photography and lives in LA.  Her blog is From My Little Corner of the World, and I had the honor of being her first follower!Click on the link below:

From My Little Corner of the World       (p.s. Reba didn't ask me to do this and I hope she don't mind)

Autumn Joy!

Autumn Joy is the name of this pretty Sedum.   The Bumble Bee and Wasp like it, too!

We are enjoying the last Roses of summer.

A pair of Brown-headed Nuthatches dash in to get a few seeds from the feeder.

One of  'our' Hummingbirds seemed to be guarding the Butterfly Bush.

This one thinks it's easier to drink the nectar from the feeder.

Finally, I caught one sipping from the blossoms!

This Eastern Bluebird is checking out the church.  Is he looking for a winter home?

A day or so ago, Jeep got a picture of a female Summer Tanager, which is yellow and gold all over.  Today I saw a flash of red in the trees and ran for the camera.  He was way up high in a tree and this picture is severely cropped, but this is the male Summer Tanager, which is red all over.

Today, I'm thankful for the beauty of Nature!

End of Summer Shots

We stopped by the lake yesterday as we went to the gym.  I was surprised to see a puddle of butterflies at the water's edge.

These are Canada Geese.  Some of them make the lake their home year round and now we have a lot of the ones that are migrating south, too.  In the mornings, they fly by our house going to the grain fields which have been cut over recently.  They graze there all day, and about sunset, they fly back to the lake for the night.  I like to hear them honking as they fly by!

Someone told me that this is a Double Crested Cormorant.  Who am I the argue?

He flew away when I got too close for comfort.

I like this one because of the reflection in the water and the little splash of water he made.

The Hummers have thinned out some, probably 2/3rds of them are gone now. 

I hardly ever get to catch one feeding on a flower, so I was glad to snap this one.

Surprise! Surprise!  These Surprise Lilies have popped up practically overnight!

They are so busy running each other away, that none of them get to drink very long!  I love the red rose which was given to us by my sister-in-law when Jeep and I married!

The roses are in clusters sometimes.  Here a Bumble Bee is busy in the center of one rose.

I've been 'dead-heading' the butterfly bush and it is still alive with activity!

I'm going to miss the birds and butterflies, but I'm always ready for the next season.  Fall is my favorite one!

Looks like he is under a umbrella made of his wings:-)

Today, I'm thankful for all the Joys of Summer!