Yep, one eye peeking just around the corner

Just like a drop of sunshine on a cloudy day

just when you think the rain and cold will never end, the sun pops out.

Spring has one eye peeking just around the corner of winter teasing us.

Fall Fruit

Usually in the fall, I only notice the changing colors of the leaves or how fast leaves fall off the trees. Life is busy, most of the time too busy. But it's amazing what you see if you just slow down a little and look at the world around you.

This year as I continue to search for something (ok, anything) to take pictures of (um, I mean photograph). I've realize that Fall is not just a time when the leaves change colors as they die and fall from the trees. Some plants actually grow and appear to "produce" as is evidenced by the berries and pods that you can see hanging on the trees and vines and weeds if you just slow down and take the time to look. Fall isn't just for changing colors. Click on the image for a short slideshow.

Finer than Frogs Hair

There is a saying that varies in the beginning, but it goes something like "I'm..." or "It was..." "finer than frog's hair". Have you ever seen frogs hair? Since I have never seen hair on a frog, I figured if something is finer than frog's hair, then it must be very, very good.

Today, I saw a green tree frog with the prettiest little ponytail of hair on it's butt. Then another one without hair. I searched the Internet to determine which was the male and female since there was one with and without hair. I couldn't find anything that referenced the hair. Lot of things about the color, the suction toes, the winning "smile", the stripe, how it is the official amphibian of the state of Georgia, but nothing about hair.


Finally I showed the picture to my son and he said, "Mom,mm it's not hair, it's one of those seed things that floated and landed on the frog. " Fortunately, at lunch today, I had taken a picture of what he was talking about and showed it to him. He confirmed.


OK, the more I looked and zoomed in on both pictures, the more I realized he was right. HOW DUMB DO I FEEL NOW???

Not what you planned

Sometimes the picture just doesn't turn out the way you planned.

Sometimes it is ok that it doesn't. My friend and photobuddy, Debra, and I were busy taking pictures of this butterfly when it decided to change positions. To view more poses, click on the picture.

Mushrooms and Memories

I have a book called Easter Stories for Children that I received as a child. The book was published in 1962 and, although it's tattered and torn, has survived through the years. I can't actually remember who I received the book from, but I can remember looking at it with both my grandmothers at one time or another. The book contains different stories and poems relating to Easter and Spring. Some religious, some about Easter bunnies and spring fairies. Don't ask me why, but one of the images that stands out in my mind from the book is an illustration of a little fairie asleep under what seems to be a giant umbrella shaped mushroom.

Now whenever I see one of these mushrooms growing wild, I image a tired little fairie sleeping under it and I think of my book and the memories.

I hope you have something in your life that surprises you from time to time with a fond memory.

Red Hot Poker

While traveling in Northern California on vacation this summer I saw this "flower" that I didn't recognise. At one of the little motels we stayed at I asked the owner what it was called. She said "I don't know, we've always just called them Red Hot Pokers". I thought great, I'll never find out the real name, but thanks to google and the world wide web (is there anything you can't find on the internet?), I now know it's called a Torch Lilly.

They love full sun, are heat and drought tolerant, so they do well in mid summer's heat. They will flower from spring through fall, as long as the dead flower spikes are removed. In cold weather they should have about 2 -3 inches of mulch to protect the crowns.

But here is the best tidbit of all about the Torch Lilly - Hummingbirds like the little tubes that make up this flower!