My Best Daily Shots

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.

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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

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