Merry Christmas!

Wishing all of my readers a very

“MERRY CHRISTMAS”

 

Woodpecker Stack

Click on the Woodpecker to go to the “stack”

 

UPS is NUTS!

I ordered an item from Newegg.com on Monday, Dec 14.  It shipped out on Monday from Memphis, TN.  I live in southern IL.  The package was originally scheduled for deliver on Wednesday, Dec. 16.  So, I look at UPS tracking info on Wednesday morning and it is in Earth City, MO where it sits for three days … or so I thought.  NOT … it was sent to Dallas, TX.  HUH???  Now the delivery date is Dec. 22.  What happened to Newegg’s “UPS guaranteed 3 days shipping”?  Of course, it is UPS that screwed up and not Newegg.

WHAT CAN “BROWN” DO FOR YOU 

 

Doggy Christmas Surprise … too cute!

Last of the Leaves

Floating on Dolans Lake

Happy Birthday Jan!

This is one of my favorite shots of you …. I took it in 2005.  You and Trish were sitting on Milly talking and laughing.  Of course you weren’t all “gussied up” but this is they way I like to see you …. just Jan …. the Jan that I have known and loved ever since we were tiny little tots.

Many years have come and gone …. some bad and some good!  You have managed to make it to a very important milestone in your life.  I hope you continue on a happy path for many years to come.

Happy Birthday Old Friend

 

Cooper’s Hawk (Accipiter cooperii)

He had his eye on “lunch” so he let me walk very close to him. 

Among the bird world’s most skilful flyers, Cooper’s Hawks are common woodland hawks that tear through cluttered tree canopies in high speed pursuit of other birds. You’re most likely to see one prowling above a forest edge or field using just a few stiff wingbeats followed by a glide. With their smaller lookalike, the Sharp-shinned Hawk, Cooper’s Hawks make for famously tricky identifications. Both species are sometimes unwanted guests at bird feeders, looking for an easy meal (but not one of sunflower seeds).

Look for Cooper’s Hawks to fly with a flap-flap-glide pattern typical of accipiters. Even when crossing large open areas they rarely flap continuously. Another attack maneuver is to fly fast and low to the ground, then up and over an obstruction to surprise prey on the other side.

Verizon Wireless Launches More Anti-AT&T 3G Network Commercials

Even though AT&T filed a lawsuit against “Big Red” they are still coming out with new commercials.  You go VZW!!

These are just too cute ….

 

 

CHICKADEE

Cutie!

BABY ALERT!

Grandma Cruser called me a 5:30 this morning, screamed in my ear … We’re having a baby!  Yes, Lindsey is finally having the baby.  Grandma & Grandpa Cruser are on their way to Lexington.  Poor Ryan is probably a nervous wreck  …. first babies tend to make fathers that way :o) 

I hope everything goes well for Lindsey … can’t wait to see a photo of that sweet baby girl.

And, on another happy note …. I’m picking up my son today!  He will be arriving at 2pm from Rhode Island.  YaY!  He will be here for almost 2 weeks ….. so, it’s a GOOD day for everyone!

Ruby-throated Hummingbirds (Archilochus colubris)

Two more hummer shots from several days ago.  Most of the hummingbirds have departed from this area.  I have a couple that are still buzzing around the feeders.

 

Duckies at Burdette

These images were taken at Burdette Park in June and July of this year during a couple  of my visits to Heavensville.  We always go to Burdette early in the am and sit for hours …. she reads and I shoot a gazillion photos ….. always loads of Ducks and Geese around the water.

 

 

  

 

Hummingbirds

I haven’t shot any hummers this summer so I decided to take a few shots today. 

 

Fungi …..

I took this photo in August when I was at Dolans Lake.  It is some kind of Fungi but I don’t have any idea what kind it is.  It was just gorgeous!

I grabbed the little Canon P&S, jumped out of the car and started taking shots  …. Mother was with me and she was just amazed at the beauty of this thing.  Now, I could kick myself for not taking the time to change lenses on the DSLR and getting some decent images.

View this image at the larger size to see how pretty it is.

Great Blue Heron (Ardea herodias)

“Old Blue Beauty”

 

 

A couple of intruders in his territory

A Double-crested Cormorant Take-off (Phalacrocorax auritus)

One lone Double-crested Cormorant on the lake yesterday ….

 

 

 

 

The double-crested cormorant is a little more than two feet long with a wingspan of about four feet. It has dark brown to black feathers, a long hooked bill with an orange throat pouch, a long tail, and webbed black feet. Adults have tufts of feathers over their eyes. Males and females look alike.

Cormorants dive for fish and marine invertebrates from the water's surface. After catching a fish, the cormorant surfaces, flips the fish in the air and swallows it head-first.

The double-crested cormorant doesn't have well-developed oil glands and isn't waterproofed very well. It often dries its feathers by perching on a pole or tree limb and stretching its wings out.

9/11

Leaves in the early morning …….

 

 

 

“The Government Can”

It will make you laugh …..

Top 100 Web Sites of 2009

Two sources for the Top 100

PCmag.com

Time.com

Some I agree with , most of them I don’t!

25 Best Blogs 2009

Time.com

The Huffington Post???  give me a break ……