Shadow Shot: Tryon Creek State Park

Shadow Shot Sunday2

Fauna

The bushtit parents have been bringing lots of food (fat green worms, spiders, moths) to the nest almost non-stop for a couple of weeks. We haven't seen babies yet, they're still ensconced in the nest, but we hear them. The parents also often bring out little poop balls - the equivalent of dirty diapers, keeping the inside of the nest clean.  Babies should be fledging within a week to ten days.

Dad with dinner

Dad, again. He does bring the fattest worms!

The parents did NOT like this squirrel hanging out just feet above their nest.

Mom, with breakfast

Mom, emptying the diaper pail

Flora

April showers and all that....

Underside of chives in the rain

Oriental poppy

One of my favorite flowers to photograph - ornamental allium (onion family)

Clematis - with macro lens

Oriental poppy - another view

Lady's Mantle with drops

Reflecting on Shadows

Shadow Shot Sunday2

This shadow of Liza is also a reflection!

Toddler antics

Mirrors, hats, windows, each other - the children are a never ending source of entertainment.

Ms C and Mr E

Mr L taste tests the climber before getting on.

Mirror, mirror....

Ms C tries the mirror on the floor

Finding the right hat.

The boys check out the scene on their first day in the yard.

Catching up with the toddlers

I haven't posted any photos of the newest cohort! So drum roll please: introducing the 2011-2014 Cohort, Ms. Z, Ms. C, Mr. L and Mr. E. They started here in September.

Ms. Z - 15 months

Ms. C - 14 months

Mr. E - 11 months

Mr. L - 10 months

Dandy Shadow

Shadow Shot Sunday

As I was trying to get a macro of this dandelion I noticed the amazing shadow on the leaf next to it.

Sky Views

A couple of my favorite spring sky shots. Click to enlarge.

Bushtit Nest

We don't know what's happening inside the nest! The parents are still (or again?) bringing nesting material in, but no sign of fledglings yet. It's challenging to see, now that the clematis has leafed out, but it sure is pretty. Soon there will be purple flowers too.

Into the Woods

A couple of different adventures in the woods - Tryon Creek State Park and Camp Collins on the Sandy River. (Click on the photos for a larger view.)

The sweet hobbit cabins at Camp Collins.

Foot bridge - or in my case, scooter bridge.

Look inviting?  Uh, no.

Someone thought this looked like a suspended marimba - well, we were at music camp!

Tryon Creek Park.

Tryon is famous for its trilliums - though we were at the end of the season.

Spring Fleurs

Suddenly spring is busting out all over!
Click on photos for a larger view.