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  2. Daily Photos

My Best Daily Shots

Thanks for stopping by to view my daily photo! I will post a new photo each day to this gallery. Typically, I will post early morning, and the photo will have been taken the day before. Sometimes the photo may be from sometime earlier in the week, but all the pictures posted will be relatively new. I hope you see something that makes you smile. Feel free to leave professionally appropriate comments. Here's a link to the SmugMug Daily Community.
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04/08/10 - Splish Splash I Was Taking a Bath!<br /> I took this Monday afternoon. This is a tufted titmouse, and he/she is really going to town taking a bath in the birdbath on my back deck. Shot through a window and cropped slightly. I don't usually say this, but best viewed in a larger size to see the details of the water droplet spray and his feathers.<br /> <br /> I read this off our local news page this morning (WRAL):<br /> The pollen count in Raleigh Wednesday was the highest in six years, according to data released by the state Department of Environment and Natural Resources. The chance for rain late on Thursday has some allergy sufferers holding their breath for a break.<br /> <br /> --<br /> <br /> I dunno, the pollen is bad every year...maybe it is a bit worse this year. They say what you can see isn't what bothers your nose. It does cause lots of extra cleaning. And starting yesterday all the big trees are losing their 'flowers', and now there is pollen and all these curly things on the ground at the same time. More cleaning. No kidding, it's 10 minutes twice a day with the blower right now to try to keep the walking areas to the house clean so that it doesn't all get tracked inside. I do love Raleigh weather, though, and this too shall pass.<br /> <br /> Yesterday was a very tough day. I had to call the EMS crew in my Dad's town to go check on him, and they found him in trouble and needing to go to the hospital:-( He's in stable condition, and they are treating him for sepsis that may have been the result from a rash he's been fighting and scratching. But that's speculation. I am trying to be optimistic that he can recover from this and go home, but I'm also trying to come to terms with the fact that he's going to need more help now. Since I'm about 175 miles away, that's challenging. I spent most of the day yesterday crying. I didn't even get up to go take a picture of the swallowtail I saw on the lilac bush out the window. There's a good chance I'm traveling to see him today to try to perk him up, but it will be another one of those marathon drive down/drive back visits which are so hard by themselves. <br /> <br /> Thanks for your comments on my dogwood flower from yesterday:-)<br /> <br /> HAGD,<br /> Maryann
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04/08/10 - Splish Splash I Was Taking a Bath!
I took this Monday afternoon. This is a tufted titmouse, and he/she is really going to town taking a bath in the birdbath on my back deck. Shot through a window and cropped slightly. I don't usually say this, but best viewed in a larger size to see the details of the water droplet spray and his feathers.

I read this off our local news page this morning (WRAL):
The pollen count in Raleigh Wednesday was the highest in six years, according to data released by the state Department of Environment and Natural Resources. The chance for rain late on Thursday has some allergy sufferers holding their breath for a break.

--

I dunno, the pollen is bad every year...maybe it is a bit worse this year. They say what you can see isn't what bothers your nose. It does cause lots of extra cleaning. And starting yesterday all the big trees are losing their 'flowers', and now there is pollen and all these curly things on the ground at the same time. More cleaning. No kidding, it's 10 minutes twice a day with the blower right now to try to keep the walking areas to the house clean so that it doesn't all get tracked inside. I do love Raleigh weather, though, and this too shall pass.

Yesterday was a very tough day. I had to call the EMS crew in my Dad's town to go check on him, and they found him in trouble and needing to go to the hospital:-( He's in stable condition, and they are treating him for sepsis that may have been the result from a rash he's been fighting and scratching. But that's speculation. I am trying to be optimistic that he can recover from this and go home, but I'm also trying to come to terms with the fact that he's going to need more help now. Since I'm about 175 miles away, that's challenging. I spent most of the day yesterday crying. I didn't even get up to go take a picture of the swallowtail I saw on the lilac bush out the window. There's a good chance I'm traveling to see him today to try to perk him up, but it will be another one of those marathon drive down/drive back visits which are so hard by themselves.

Thanks for your comments on my dogwood flower from yesterday:-)

HAGD,
Maryann

IMG4313Cropped

  • 04/08/10 - Splish Splash I Was Taking a Bath!<br /> I took this Monday afternoon. This is a tufted titmouse, and he/she is really going to town taking a bath in the birdbath on my back deck. Shot through a window and cropped slightly. I don't usually say this, but best viewed in a larger size to see the details of the water droplet spray and his feathers.<br /> <br /> I read this off our local news page this morning (WRAL):<br /> The pollen count in Raleigh Wednesday was the highest in six years, according to data released by the state Department of Environment and Natural Resources. The chance for rain late on Thursday has some allergy sufferers holding their breath for a break.<br /> <br /> --<br /> <br /> I dunno, the pollen is bad every year...maybe it is a bit worse this year. They say what you can see isn't what bothers your nose. It does cause lots of extra cleaning. And starting yesterday all the big trees are losing their 'flowers', and now there is pollen and all these curly things on the ground at the same time. More cleaning. No kidding, it's 10 minutes twice a day with the blower right now to try to keep the walking areas to the house clean so that it doesn't all get tracked inside. I do love Raleigh weather, though, and this too shall pass.<br /> <br /> Yesterday was a very tough day. I had to call the EMS crew in my Dad's town to go check on him, and they found him in trouble and needing to go to the hospital:-( He's in stable condition, and they are treating him for sepsis that may have been the result from a rash he's been fighting and scratching. But that's speculation. I am trying to be optimistic that he can recover from this and go home, but I'm also trying to come to terms with the fact that he's going to need more help now. Since I'm about 175 miles away, that's challenging. I spent most of the day yesterday crying. I didn't even get up to go take a picture of the swallowtail I saw on the lilac bush out the window. There's a good chance I'm traveling to see him today to try to perk him up, but it will be another one of those marathon drive down/drive back visits which are so hard by themselves. <br /> <br /> Thanks for your comments on my dogwood flower from yesterday:-)<br /> <br /> HAGD,<br /> Maryann
  • 04/07/10 -Dogwood Blossom<br /> Now that the Bradford Pear and Yoshino Cherry blossoms are fading way to leaves, the Dogwoods have opened. Did you know that the Dogwood is the NC state tree? Yep! And there are a lot growing naturally in the area. A beautiful sight to see.<br /> <br /> This was my last shot of the day on Monday as the kids and I finished up a walk with our dog, Buddy, after work.<br /> <br /> I took a picture of the stair steps at work yesterday to give you a feel for the amount of pollen that's down right now:<br /> <br /> <a href="http://fotomom.smugmug.com/Nature/April-2010/11699927_Ufdur#829868688_E3c3Q">http://fotomom.smugmug.com/Nature/April-2010/11699927_Ufdur#829868688_E3c3Q</a><br /> So much so that footprints were being made. I also took a few pics of cars that were covered. I wanted so much to find a dark car that was covered and write YELLOW on the hood or trunk and snap a shot, but no proper opportunity presented itself. <br /> <br /> Thanks for the comments on the wisteria shot. It did smell good, and it was covered in MANY bees too. We have a local bee keeper now, so the bees are plentiful and doing their thing.<br /> <br /> HAGD,<br /> Maryann
  • 04/06/10 - Purple Wisteria<br /> Well, after about 300 shots over 2 days, I'm putting a stake in the ground and picking this one to post as a daily. It's actually one from the first day. <br /> <br /> The top 12 are here:<br /> <br /> <a href="http://fotomom.smugmug.com/Nature/Wisteria-2010/11743540_aNkwo#829014853_2uZWm">http://fotomom.smugmug.com/Nature/Wisteria-2010/11743540_aNkwo#829014853_2uZWm</a><br /> <br /> It's not the same thing over and over again...they are all quite different. Some show the huge vine. Others include a neighboring azalea and that pink color. This one has a good view of the 'faces' and the neat dof and background. Still others show the grapelike shape or the massive overall size of the vine. Many ways to photograph this particular flower. <br /> <br /> Growing up in NJ, we had a purple wisteria in my backyard. In the summer, I'd sit out in the backyard with my dog, Shawnee, on top of her doghouse and take in the sweet smell and play with the petals. I was fascinated that the flower looked like grapes. It was much the same with the pussy willow nearby,the mimosa near the huge rock in the front yard, and even the milkweed at the corner of the nearby cornfield. My fascination with nature and plants started young with some help from my Dad. <br /> <br /> I think the consensus from yesterday was that the flower/tree was a crabapple. Thanks! I really have a need to know what things are and to understand some basic details about them. Thanks for taking time to stop and look and for your comments which brightened my otherwise sad Monday.<br /> <br /> Well, I survived the first day back working from home. Time to go into the office and entrench myself even a bit more.<br /> <br /> I may not be able to get any decent flower shots for a few days. Seriously, the yellow pollen is coating everything so bad it is just no fun to look at. I blew the back deck early yesterday and then had to blow it again midday so the kids could get in the kiddie pool. You would never have known I'd blown it that morning. It was like a huge yellow dust storm. A necessary part of spring and one which luckily does not cause me allergy issues.<br /> <br /> HAGD,<br /> Maryann
  • 04/05/10 - Bursting with Pink<br /> This is another shot from my Garden Hut trip Saturday. I adjusted the contrast, but otherwise, it's SOOC. I was really drawn to exactly how pink these blossoms were. I am not sure what type of tree. They had many nice real fruit trees.<br /> <br /> Would you believe me if I told you I took 150 purple wisteria shots yesterday and still wasn't 100% happy with any of them. Sigh... I will try one more time today if I can. The vine in Madi's yard looks spectacular this year and smells just as good too. The light was harsh when I was there, though, and it's just a hard flower to shoot I think.<br /> <br /> The kids enjoyed hunting yesterday morning for the eggs they dyed on Saturday. We always hide them in Madi's yard where the garden is so pretty. We use some creative hiding techniques, so it's fun to watch the kids look for the eggs. <br /> <br /> Thanks for all of your supportive comments on the shot from yesterday that I was so unsure about...<br /> <br /> Back to work for me today. I am so sad... Joey will be out for 3 more weeks on his year round school calendar. I wish so much I had that time to spend with him.<br /> <br /> HAGD,<br /> Maryann
  • 04/04/10 - Happy Easter <br /> Happy Easter from me and the kids... (I mean Mario, Mr. Incredible, and Princess Peach.)<br /> <br /> I had a complete photo crisis about what to post today. A real quality flower, kids, with or without words, the bunny and kids, what? Sigh... 3 hours later...I just had to pick something and go with it. I took the picture of the kids a few weeks ago right after we put the bunny up. I took the phlox flower pictures yesterday at The Garden Hut in Fuquay. Thanks to those fine people for letting me take lots of pictures and not giving me a hard time. They even had a mini Easter egg hunt for the boys. More of the flower pics mixed in with pics of the kids playing yesterday can be found in my April 2010 staging gallery.<br /> <br /> Beautiful weather continued here yesterday. We dyed Easter eggs on the back deck and then the kids played in the kiddie pool. We moved to the driveway to draw with chalk and play with bubbles. Fun! We attended church with Madi's family and enjoyed that too.<br /> <br /> A collage of the Easter egg dying is here:<br /> <br /> <a href="http://fotomom.smugmug.com/Nature/April-2010/11699927_Ufdur#827018978_2feBi">http://fotomom.smugmug.com/Nature/April-2010/11699927_Ufdur#827018978_2feBi</a><br /> <br /> Thank you so much for the response to my Duke Gardens tulip shot from yesterday...<br /> <br /> Hope you are all having a joyous Easter!<br /> Maryann
  • 04/03/10 - Sarah P. Duke Gardens<br /> I really wanted to see the tulips this year at Duke Gardens, and after missing the botanical gardens at the River Banks Zoo earlier this week due to time constraints, I was pretty determined not to miss Duke this year too. So, I headed over with the kids yesterday. I know it wasn't the most fun thing for them, and on top of that it was out right HOT, but they were real troopers for me, and I took them to Lake Crabtree to play afterward and threw in a Frosty to boot. Actually, I think they had a good time except for the heat. There are rocks and bridges to climb on there, it was pretty to them too, lots of dogs to stop and pet along the way, and plus they do all these make believe games on all our walks.<br /> <br /> The gardens, as you would expect, are just beautiful this time of year. The daffodils and camellias were finishing up, but the tulips and many flowering trees were gorgeous. I didn't have as much time as I wanted to take pics, but I took enough. We even got to see the GBH on the side of the bigger water area. That is one social bird!<br /> <br /> I like the intense color in this shot. Joey said it looked like cartoon tulips:-) I tweaked it just a tad across the bottom to get rid of a few distracting spots and I did an auto contrast. It's very close to sooc. The blue color is pansies. <br /> <br /> More Duke Garden shots from yesterday are here:<br /> <a href="http://fotomom.smugmug.com/Duke-Gardens/Duke-Gardens-040210/11706535_gUsTb#826083083_ahUEh">http://fotomom.smugmug.com/Duke-Gardens/Duke-Gardens-040210/11706535_gUsTb#826083083_ahUEh</a><br /> <br /> Glad you all enjoyed the shot of Johnny having fun in the water minus knowing how cold it was. They were out in the kiddie pool yesterday afternoon reliving their water fun from the day before.<br /> <br /> HAGD,<br /> Maryann
  • 04/02/10 - Fun in the Sun!<br /> We made it down to Fort Fisher yesterday to go to the NC Aquarium and then instead of driving back over to Wrightsville Beach to swim, we swam right there in the state park. Very nice parking area and facilities at that spot and FREE. All that is there was built post Fran in 1996 so maybe that facility is 10 years old. <br /> <br /> This is Johnny having a blast in the water. (Note to self: Go buy him some matching swim trunks to go along with that water shirt!) The water temp was, gulp, 55 yesterday. The air temps was in the mid 80s though. Cold water has never stopped either of my boys from going in the ocean, and yesterday was no exception. Very few adults in the water but quite a few other kids in. At the request of my boys, I even braved getting wet up to my knees twice. Brrrrrrrr!!!<br /> <br /> They frolicked in the water, practiced their swim kicks, collected shells, built a sand castle, and played with some other boys on the beach trying to do what man can't really do...reroute the ocean. Fun stuff!<br /> <br /> I crashed and burned bad last night. A day in the sun will do that to a person. Good kindof tired, though.<br /> <br /> Not sure what we're doing today, but I am sure it will be fun and I'm sure I'll take pictures:-) And I will make more comments!<br /> <br /> HAGD,<br /> Maryann
  • 04/01/10 Reflections<br /> Can it really be April already?<br /> <br /> I took several landscape shots on the way home from Dad's house yesterday, and I really had a tough time choosing between 3 to show you. Sigh.,. This one won because it has the water/reflection. It was taken on Hwy. 64 somewhere between Asheboro and Pittsboro. We pass this spot on all of our trips to the NC Zoo, and it's beautiful in the morning and in the evening. This shot was just minutes before sunset. <br /> <br /> I just converted this to B&W and put that copy in my Inspirations album:<br /> <a href="http://fotomom.smugmug.com/Inspirations/Inspirations/10386893_s5msk#824761897_ZfZHC">http://fotomom.smugmug.com/Inspirations/Inspirations/10386893_s5msk#824761897_ZfZHC</a><br /> It's like a whole different picture!<br /> <br /> I have trouble driving across state. I basically refuse to take the interstate. It of course has a faster speed limit but it's 30-40 miles longer. But that's not why. I just need to see the countryside. Then of course I have to turn around and go back and take pics on the way. The boys know the drill. Mom is turning around because she saw something. They don't really care. They have their DVD. But seriously, I have to allot extra time for taking pictures along the way:-) <br /> <br /> I'm off to the beach today. For those not off to the beach, I'm sorry. Wrightsville. <br /> <br /> Thank you for your comments this week that have brightened my day while I've been on the road and so busy. I am commenting as best as I can while basically going every second of the day that I am awake. But, I like being busy, so it's mostly great. <br /> <br /> HAGD,<br /> Maryann
  • 03/31/10 - River Banks Zoo<br /> The boys and I drove about 3.5 hours to the River Banks Zoo in Columbia, SC yesterday. This was our first visit but definitely won't be our last! <br /> <br /> Highlights of the trip:<br /> 1. The Simangs middle left were putting on quite a musical and acrobatic show when we got to their habitat. The pouch under their throat lets them create a musical sound. Wow! A video of them flying through the air and 'singing':<br /> <br /> <a href="http://fotomom.smugmug.com/NC-Zoo-1/River-Banks-Zoo-033010/11679158_LAb7x#824255811_QQBuM-A-LB">http://fotomom.smugmug.com/NC-Zoo-1/River-Banks-Zoo-033010/11679158_LAb7x#824255811_QQBuM-A-LB</a><br /> 2. The lions were trying to make babies:-) <br /> 3. The aquarium at this zoo is so nice it rivals the NC Aquarium at Fort Fisher. I was impressed.<br /> 4. Tulips, tulips and more tulips. Did I say tulips?!?<br /> 5. The boys were thrilled to go on a pony ride.<br /> 6. The other favorite exhibit was the bird/nectar station. WOW! You buy a cup of nectar and if you hold it in your hands the birds will come and land on you and feed. We ended up buying 3 cups and both boys doing it twice so mom could get her fill of pictures. <br /> <br /> We ran out of time to go to the adjacent botanical gardens...ugh. I'm sure it was great. Next time!!!<br /> <br /> It's a little too far to drive for just a day trip, so we're spending the night just back over the NC state line in Monroe at my dad's house. About 300 miles total yesterday. The DVD player overhead in the minivan is a blessing. <br /> <br /> Thanks for all your comments yesterday on my 2nd tulip shot:-) I'm sorry I was mostly mia yesterday. Can't comment and drive at the same time:-) Dad needs a wireless router...<br /> <br /> HAGD,<br /> Maryann
  • 03/30/10 - Tulip Delight<br /> A tulip picture taken in the outside butterfly garden at the butterfly house at the Museum of Life and Science in Durham yesterday. <br /> <br /> I'm on vacation this week, and I took the boys back to the museum (same as Robot Rumble). It was wet and cloudy in the AM, and my intent was to spend some time going through the inside exhibits which we often miss when we go to their special events. Plus there's so much to do outside! We just often don't stay inside. <br /> <br /> We spent a lot of time in the new Contraptions exhibit. They give the kids pulleys, 4" white pipe and various curve and straight connectors, rope, and lots of other basic items so the kids can build things like marble runs or mouse traps. Wow was that fun! I think I enjoyed it as much as the kids. We also spent time on the computer in there doing the Crayon Physics game (Joda, this one could be for you! <a href="http://www.crayonphysics.com">http://www.crayonphysics.com</a>). <br /> <br /> The pics are still uploading to that album. Joey and Johnny both got to hold butterflies at the butterfly release, we rode the train. Definitely a good time!<br /> <br /> Thank you all so much for your generous comments on my tulip shot from yesterday:-) Sure made me smile.<br /> <br /> I am headed this AM to the River Banks Zoo in Columbia, SC about 3.5 hours from my house then back track to Dad's house 1.5 hours from the zoo and then back home Wednesday. There's a train at that zoo and an attached botanical gardens. Trying to remember if I went there once in the 80s. not sure. We should have nice weather. I hope for a safe and fun trip.<br /> <br /> HAGD,<br /> Maryann<br /> <br /> <a href="http://www.ncmls.org">http://www.ncmls.org</a>
  • 03/29/10 - Inside a Tulip<br /> The tulips are here! the tulips are here! Well, they are at least blooming at the entrance to one neighborhood not too far from my house. I spotted them Saturday and went back yesterday to take a few shots.<br /> <br /> First off let me say that I feel much better today. Thanks again for all the well wishes. Yesterday was the first day with no fever. <br /> <br /> What you should know about this shot is that the winds were gusting to 20mph when I took it. I had to take a lot of shots waiting for just the right moment when the flowers weren't being blown away. I had quite a few shots with my hair in them. Yep, it's long and wasn't pulled back and it kept blowing where I didn't want it. I'm amazed I got a usuable shot.<br /> <br /> I did a little clean-up work on stray dots and spots that were distracting from the beauty of the flower. I decided not to tweak the contrast or color in any way, though.<br /> <br /> The boys and I did our weekly grocery shopping and thrift store trip yesterday. We cooked a good dinner together, worked on a craft, and read some fun books. Oh, and we set up our little Easter house village too. For us, that's a quiet day:-) Here's a picture of my chefs:<br /> <a href="http://fotomom.smugmug.com/Nature/March-2010/11391408_8boNH#822092026_bstYE">http://fotomom.smugmug.com/Nature/March-2010/11391408_8boNH#822092026_bstYE</a><br /> <br /> It was incredibly wet, windy, and loud here during the night. News reports are talking about damange all over NC, but I think my immediate area was spared the worst of it. I was up comforting doggies during the night. Kids slept through it:-)<br /> <br /> Thanks for the comments on the Easter egg hunt picture:-)<br /> <br /> <br /> HAGD,<br /> Maryann
  • 03/28/10 - Ready for the Hunt<br /> The boys and I went with Madi and her mom, Christine, to the Fuquay-Varina Easter Egg Hunt yesterday. The hunt has gotten so big that they moved it out of downtown to one of the town parks (South Park). It was colder than we hoped but not too cold to enjoy ourselves or to damage our flowers.. They split the kids up in 0-3, 4-6, and 7-10 categories. Madi and Johnny went together, and Joey by himself. Each of the kids found a basketful of eggs (over 6000 in the bigger fields). Plenty for everyone. Madi found a prize egg too and won a big Play Doh set for that. Lots of fun and even free pictures with the Easter Bunny.<br /> <br /> This is a picture of the 0-3 field where they had mowed the grass real short so the tiny kids could see the eggs. In the big kid fields, the grass was higher, and the kids had to work just a bit more to find them. Yes, I was down on my knees. I know folks were looking at me like I was a crazy woman, but I stayed on task and got the shot. <br /> <br /> Really great job by the town, and we'll be back next year for sure.<br /> <br /> Am I feeling better? Too early to tell. Probably a bit. During the day yesterday was not too bad, and then of course at night I felt worse again. I am horrible about resting when sick. It's not like the kids are really gonna let me rest anyway:-)<br /> <br /> After the egg hunt, we ended up at Yates Mill and went on a heritage tour where we got to go inside the mill. So, if you have a passion for grist mills, you'll want to check out my new featured gallery which contains pictures from inside the mill. They ran the water wheel yesterday, but they did not grind any corn.<br /> <a href="http://fotomom.smugmug.com/Nature/Yates-Mill-032710-Heritage/11643630_hWeZV#821006590_BMe9S">http://fotomom.smugmug.com/Nature/Yates-Mill-032710-Heritage/11643630_hWeZV#821006590_BMe9S</a><br /> I have other galleries with better outside shots of the wheel, etc. This album focuses on the inside.<br /> <br /> Thanks for your comments on the periwinkle shot...<br /> <br /> HAGD,<br /> Maryann
  • 03/27/10 - Variegated Periwinkle<br /> This splash of color is growing beneath the Redbud that I posted yesterday and in many other places in my yard. I adjusted the contrast, cropped square, and added the border. When the flowers are done, the beautiful leaves remain and are a joy to look at all summer long. <br /> <br /> I still am not feeling well at all. Thank you for the well wishes. Mostly I am short on energy and just can't breath despite various meds. Hopefully the worst is over and I'm on the up swing now. <br /> <br /> The Spring Festival at the school last night was a lot of fun. I took a bunch of those poor light, poor flash, great smile pics that mostly only a mom could love:-)<br /> <br /> On to the egg hunt this morning. Brrrrr.... It's in the 30s out there, but I believe we were spared damaging cold. The trend in the 7-day is warmer:-)<br /> <br /> HAGD,<br /> Maryann
  • 03/26/10 - Redbud<br /> In my continuing effort to bring you a picture of everything blooming in central NC...the Redbud. <br /> <br /> This tree is growing in my yard. Although it is native to this area, I bought and planted this one. In the spring, all the branches are covered with these purplish flowers. A short time later, it leafs out with the most beautiful heart-shaped leaves. Very pretty all year long.<br /> <br /> I am quite sick with this cold. It's probably the worst cold I've had this year. My week's vacation starts tomorrow, and there's an event at the school tonight and an egg hunt tomorrow so somehow I have got to get better quick!<br /> <br /> Thanks for your comments on the tulip magnolia:-)<br /> <br /> The bluebird box in Madi's yard has 6 eggs in it. Typical is 4-5. As soon as the babies are born, I'll get a picture. Eggs are here:<br /> <a href="http://fotomom.smugmug.com/Nature/March-2010/11391408_8boNH#818579783_rnvaF">http://fotomom.smugmug.com/Nature/March-2010/11391408_8boNH#818579783_rnvaF</a><br /> <br /> There's a chance of a freeze at my house tonight:-( This would be a great time for the weatherman to be wrong!<br /> <br /> HAGD,<br /> Maryann
  • 03/25/10 - Saucer (Tulip) Magnoiia<br /> <br /> Joey got the rest of his braces installed yesterday...a paperclip looking thing called a quad helix in the roof of his mouth. He's such a trooper. He was more excited about switching to lavender color elastics for Easter than about the additional metal in his mouth.<br /> <br /> The retail area around the orthodontist office had many saucer magnolias, so of course I had to stop and see if I could get a decent shot of them. It was pretty breezy, and these whimsical blooms were moving around quite a bit. I picked this bloom sortof surrounded by other blooms and with sunlight filtering in to try to capture. I guess I took 30 shots of it moving slightly left or right up angle or down angle to try to get the best light, clarity and background colors. <br /> <br /> I knew yesterday morning when I got up that I was coming down with a cold. Yep, full fledge cold:-( I'm a tad bummed. Seems like every time I turn around lately I'm sick again. Plus, the kids are out of school next week, and I'm on vacation, and I want to be up to enjoying that special time together starting with the Spring Festival at the school tomorrow night and the Fuquay egg hunt Saturday AM. Maybe I'll be lucky and have a speedy recovery.<br /> <br /> Thanks for your comments on what PapaMugger said was a peach blossom yesterday... The tree was in a field, but there used to be a house on that land, and some of their yard plants are still thriving even though the house is long since gone. <br /> <br /> HAGD,<br /> Maryann
  • 03/24/10 - Reaching for the Sun<br /> When I left for work yesterday, a 30 mile and hour long commute on the days I don't work from home, the sun was out and the sky was quite blue and dark to the west. Perfect. Well, almost. I found out quite quickly when I got out to take this picture in the middle of a field that it was only 45 with a 15mph wind. I made Joey put his hooded sweatshirt on before leaving for school, but someone forgot to remind me I needed my jacket:-) I took the pics I wanted anyway and then got back in the car and bumped up the heat.<br /> <br /> As I drove closer to work, the clouds returned:-( Good thing I got in a few shots while I could. <br /> <br /> For my camera, I was pleased with how the pollen details turned out in this one... I do not know what type of tree. Cherry something?<br /> <br /> The Yoshino Cherry trees in my yard have opened up. The Tiger Swallowtail butterflies should be soon to follow. I just can't wait!<br /> <br /> Thanks to those who visited the link in my monthly staging gallery of Joey's Night Heron artwork. He was quite pleased at what he calls his compliments (vs. comments...very cute how a 7 year old says it especially with braces on). I think he's inspired to do more.<br /> <br /> Thank you for the comments on the flowering quince too...<br /> <br /> HAGD,<br /> Maryann
  • 03/23/10 - Flowering Quince<br /> I took this Saturday at the Durham Museum of Life and Science in the parking lot on our way in. There are many yards in my area with large bushes of forsythia and quince flowering side by side...super pretty. I used to have one of these bushes, but mine didn't make it probably due to lack of sun. <br /> <br /> I took a picture of Joey's artwork last night and a few pictures of a miniature clock tower on top of a restaurant yesterday, but nothing I wanted to share for a daily. It was cloudy nearly all day yesterday, and I was bummed that conditions weren't better for outdoor flower shots.<br /> <br /> So, Joey drew me a picture of a Night Heron at school. I was pretty floored:<br /> <a href="http://fotomom.smugmug.com/Nature/March-2010/11391408_8boNH#816954270_Ahk2k">http://fotomom.smugmug.com/Nature/March-2010/11391408_8boNH#816954270_Ahk2k</a><br /> <br /> Thanks for your comments on the Bradford Pear blossoms. Yesterday morning at the bus stop, it almost looked like we were getting a few snow flurries...white blossoms filled the air. <br /> <br /> HAGD,<br /> Maryann
  • 03/22/10 - Bradford Pear Blossoms<br /> NC is very pretty right now. We have many Bradford Pear trees, and they are all blooming. Everywhere you turn there is a beautiful row of white. This picture was taken on the single Bradford Pear tree in the middle of my front yard. In the background is a Forsythia bush. I tried very hard to get a good shot of the Brandford Pear blossoms and get the yellow of the forsythia in the background too.<br /> <br /> In comparison to Saturday, we took it easy yesterday. We played in the yard with Madi, went for groceries, and planted a few annuals and seeds. Joey just had to have the 6-pack of Snapdragons at WM, and I just had to have some of the Petunias. We planted in containers, so if we get a late frost/freeze, I will just bring them into the garage as necessary. It was so fun watching Joey haul the big bag of potting soil around. Johnny was extra cute with his watering can. Both can insert a plant into dirt now with minimal assistance. Poppop, who taught me everything I know about planting, would be proud.<br /> <br /> Before I had the boys, most weekends, you would find me at Lowe's, Home Depot, and the local nurseries hauling home plants. Even though I live in the woods, I used every spot of sun I had for sun loving plants and of course planted many partial to full shade loving plants. I built retaining walls and flower beds, dug out the 200 gallon pond areas, and had my fun working in the yard. These days, I just keep the stuff pruned and if I'm lucky fertilized and watered. Yesterday we pruned back English Ivy I never should have planted and trimmed Liriope. In the next few days, I need to get the leaves off the Phlox and the leaves out of the Azaleas before they bloom. At least I have helpers now:-) What they can't actually do yet they make up for by providing great company. <br /> <br /> Thanks to those of you that stopped by to look at my Durham Museum Robot Rumble collage from yesterday.<br /> <br /> HAGD,<br /> Maryann
  • 03/21/10 - Robot Rumble at the Durham Museum of Lkife and Science<br /> The kids and I just love special events at the Museum of Life and Science in Durham. Joey, Johnny, Madi and I went to the museum for the annual Robot Rumble today, and boy did we have a great time.<br /> <br /> Collage #1 of the Robot stuff is above. Collage #2 of the plants and animal stuff including the new black bear and the hoode merganser is here:<br /> <a href="http://fotomom.smugmug.com/Durham-Museum-of-Life-and/Durham-Museum-of-Life-and/11569516_4mipx#815125438_MqcFr">http://fotomom.smugmug.com/Durham-Museum-of-Life-and/Durham-Museum-of-Life-and/11569516_4mipx#815125438_MqcFr</a><br /> <br /> In the South Gallery, near the main lobby, there were quite a few Lego Mindstorm exhibits. The 537 Hedgehogs from Hillsborough were letting the kids make buttons, pick out a bendy robot man, and play with remote controlled robots. At another table, IBM?, they were showing the kids how to write Mindstorm robot programs, upload them to the robot, and then watch them in action. In this case, the programs were basic things like go straight, turn around, and come back. The kids also watched some older kids demonstrate more sophisticated programs where the robots used light or touch sensors to pick up loops on their 'hands' and navigate obstacle courses. Great stuff!<br /> <br /> In the Mercury room behind the front lobby, robot battles were gong on, and other types of robots were on display. The kids enjoyed watching the battles and especially the 'What is a robot?' presentation. We learned that sometimes toys look like robots but are not really robots. The kids thought robots talked, moved, needed batteries, had a computer in them, etc. We got to see what was under the 'skin' of a Furbie, a toy Wall-E, a Lego Mindstorm standing robot, and even a toy version of the robot from Lost in Space. Very informative and fun!<br /> <br /> Outside next to the butterfly house, several more exhibits were set up. In one 'pit', two robots battled each other. In another, a high speed robot on 4 wheels that could operate on either side was a thrill as it crashed into boards and flipped through the air. All my kids got a chance to operate that one. They also had a table with robot armlike tongs to give the kids a feeling for how robot arms work. There were even Rock'em Sock'em Robots for the kids to play with. We liked this area so much we had to come back for a second trip!<br /> <br /> Last but not least for us today was the robot submarines from iRobot in the pool where the sailboats usually are in Catch the Wind. My kids didn't want in line to use the sub remotes, but we did enjoy watching the other kids operate them. The subs would sometimes pop out of the water and put out a splash of water. Funny!<br /> <br /> In other exciting news, there is a new tiny male pig named Auggie in with Miss Piggy. Boy was Auggie cute! Miss Piggy was putting on quite the show today too pushing her green ball around the pen!<br /> <br /> We got to see Yona the new bear cub the museum took in as a rescue from off the side of I40 in Tennessee. We spoke with one of the keepers that told us that Yona is a year old. She's learned to kindof leave the other 4 bears in the bear habitat alone and is getting along fine with Gus, the youngest of the adults and the only male. The keeper threw in some apple halves, and we got to see Yona chomp down on that. The other bear in view today was Ursala.<br /> <br /> I waited all winter to see and take a picture of a hood merganser, and today was the day! They even came pretty close to the boardwalk area.<br /> <br /> We saw Ranger Greg on the boardwalk, and he pointed out a snake sunning itself on a tree branch. We were also amazed at the number of turtles up on logs in the wetlands sunning themselves.<br /> <br /> We made a quick trip through the dinosaur trail and fossil pit as well as the inside animal room and taking a peek at the new Contraptions exhibit. But then, in what seemed like a blink of the eye, the day was over and it was time to head home.<br /> <br /> 5/22 is the Butterfly Bash and 6/12 is the Bubble Blitz, and we look forward to visiting the museum on those days too.<br /> <br /> A POTD today by Madi:<br /> <a href="http://fotomom.smugmug.com/Daily-Photos/LightningFastJoeys-POTD/11187845_dd7pS#815339824_qtURq">http://fotomom.smugmug.com/Daily-Photos/LightningFastJoeys-POTD/11187845_dd7pS#815339824_qtURq</a><br /> <br /> Have a super Sunday!<br /> Maryann<br /> <br /> <a href="http://www.ncmls.org">http://www.ncmls.org</a>
  • 03/20/10 - Forsythia <br /> Another sure sign of spring. Bright yellow forsythia stalks (bushes) reaching for the sky in all their glory. <br /> <br /> I'm not totally sure that I'm happy with the focal point being off center, but I was drawn to the diagonal lines of the stalks. Taken at Home Depot while I was picking up my new 500gph pond pump. The employees and some customers in the parking lot were smiling at how I was taking pictures, so I snapped their picture too:-) I try to go with the flow when I get spotted. If it had been a great shot, I'd have posted it, but it turned out ho hum.<br /> <br /> Here is the shot I almost posted:<br /> <a href="http://fotomom.smugmug.com/Nature/March-2010/11391408_8boNH#814524278_8ArWY">http://fotomom.smugmug.com/Nature/March-2010/11391408_8boNH#814524278_8ArWY</a><br /> It's a sunny star magnolia shot from my yard. I kindof figured not different enough from the one I posted 2 days ago although I love the blue tones in the star magnolia shots from yesterday.<br /> <br /> So, I did get the pond pump installed. The bell fountain looks and sounds pretty again. I was outside last night with the flashglight enjoying watching the fish and the frogs swim about. Very clean water with the water cycling correctly. <br /> <br /> It was so warm here yesterday (high 70s) that Johnny wanted to play in his little pool and water on the back deck. I obliged. I figured when he got cold from the well water he'd ask to dry off:-) I also warned him not to sit down in the pool. He was stubborn:<br /> <a href="http://fotomom.smugmug.com/Nature/March-2010/11391408_8boNH#814291963_evaUc">http://fotomom.smugmug.com/Nature/March-2010/11391408_8boNH#814291963_evaUc</a><br /> He actually lasted an hour out there and then came in for popcorn and a movie under his blankie. But boy did he have cold feet!<br /> <br /> We will not be past the date of last frost/freeze until 4/15. My fingers are crossed our pretty plants will not get ruined this year. <br /> <br /> Robot Rumble today at the museum in Durham. I'll catch up with you guys when I get in front of the TV tonight and am processing the pictures.<br /> <br /> Thanks for stopping by to view the cherry blossom shot from yesterday:-)<br /> <br /> HAGD,<br /> Maryann

  • fotoeffects

    on June 19, 2016

    Marvelous capture!

  • Guy Laflamme

    on April 14, 2010

    Wow - great shot. Wish your dad a fast recovery.

  • WildeLifePhotography

    on April 10, 2010

    Great capture.

  • Pixel Footprints

    on April 9, 2010

    cute and a beautiful shot

  • Dan and Patti (bayislandphotography)

    on April 9, 2010

    Cool shot !!!!

  • Janet McQueen

    on April 9, 2010

    Great action shot! Who knew that bathing was so much exercise?

  • dirkster

    on April 9, 2010

    Awesome capture....good vibes to your Pops...

  • fotoeffects

    on April 9, 2010

    Truly fabulous in 3x...love how mussed up he is!

  • Brian Stephen Green (InfiniteVisionsPhotograph)

    on April 9, 2010

    Great capture. Definitely something you don't see everyday.

  • irishmurr

    on April 9, 2010

    lol! Wonderful capture of all those flying droplets! Hope your Dad is okay.

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