Friday, July 31, 2009

No Regrets


The young osprey is back at the nest calling, some may say screaming, for a fish. The calling can go on for long stretches. Many years ago when we first put up a nest platform for ospreys, we were told that we would regret it.
Not so, the whole nesting process is still a pleasure to watch and we learn so much. And we don't mind the screaming either. It will get pretty quiet in a month or so as the birds head south.

Thursday, July 30, 2009

Bluebird Gifts


After the rains yesterday, the sounds of young bluebirds filled the air. They cruised the yard begging for a meal; I saw the adult female in the bird bath. It was great to see them back in the yard. A neighbor who was a retired salesman told me that in sales parlance, 'bluebird' is a term for a sale that falls into the lap without any effort ... a gift so to speak. I always think about that when I see a bluebird; it's a little gift each time.

Wednesday, July 29, 2009

Marigold


Sometime last year after I selected something special from Miss Lizzie's boutique, I found a pack of marigold seed attached to my receipt as a thank-you. One of those seeds produced this pretty bunch ... merci beaucoup!

Tuesday, July 28, 2009

Green and Serene


Here's a close up at some of the vegetation in a nearly hidden fresh water pond. Beautiful. I spooked the bullfrog lording over the pond, but I'll try again.

Monday, July 27, 2009

Summer Dining


Old Bay, salt, vinegar and Jimmies equals one fine lunch. The leftovers make one fine crab cake dinner. And we can get fancy with crab stuffed flounder ... summer dining at it's best, all fresh from the Currituck Sound!

Sunday, July 26, 2009

The Green Jersey


This morning I'm watching the final day of this year's Tour de France. Winners of different categories wear a special color jersey. Green is for the top sprinter. Here's my version of the Green Jersey ... and yes he can sprint, just try and catch him when he's on a run!

Saturday, July 25, 2009

The Flycatcher


This photo was taken in late May. The flycatcher's beak is loaded with nesting material. Flycatchers put some interesting things in their nest box, including a piece of snake skin.

Friday, July 24, 2009

Good Crabbing Weather


It's a cloudy morning, plenty of rain last night. This gives the crabbers a break from the sharp morning sun. I love the sleek lines of the work boat I spotted across the sound. And many more will love the sweet steamed crabs on their tables tonight.

Thursday, July 23, 2009

A Darling Dahlia


I love dahlias and have tried and lost many. This is a new try. My favorites are the bigger than a moon pie 'dinner plate' dahlias, especially in yellow ... also the color of my favorite moon pie!

Wednesday, July 22, 2009

Figs in our Future


The tree is loaded. Come August these greenies will be purple and sweet, and we'll be eating them daily along with the birds and bees that want a share.

Tuesday, July 21, 2009

Beautiful Orange Box


Turtle, of course!

Monday, July 20, 2009

A Sunny Spot


It's a grey morning round here. How about some sunny flowers to brighten the day?

Sunday, July 19, 2009

Sailing the Sound west of Carova


A sailboat cruises off the marshes of the Currituck Sound as a small flock of egrets sets the pace.

Saturday, July 18, 2009

Yikes! The Cicada Wasp


I saw the attack, the paralizing sting, and the struggle to manage the much larger Cicada. The wasp will take the cicada to it's ground burrow. But first it climbs a tree to get the loft needed for the flight/glide down. This one hauled the cicada up the tree nearly 20 feet before I lost sight. Whew, I promise less drama tomorrow.

Friday, July 17, 2009

A Currituck 'Monet'


The waterlilies are gorgeous now. The marshes are full of hibiscus, daisies and other flowers of pink and orange. Our very own Monet.

Thursday, July 16, 2009

The Fawn


First, we heard the loud rustling. Then the large doe bounding across the road in front of us. Hold up, there may be more. And a second yet smaller deer followed. We paused for a bit, then continued our walk scanning the weeds for more. And we saw one, well hidden. A few photographs from the road and then on our way. And once home, a re-reading of 'The Fawn' a poem by Edna St. Vincent Milay.

Tuesday, July 14, 2009

Pesto Anyone?


We have a nice bed of basil this year. I've already dried enough to last through the winter, so maybe it's time for pesto!

Monday, July 13, 2009

Hang gliding at Currituck Airport


The cyclists riding the Tour de France are resting today. Boy did they fly down the mountain yesterday! You can always find some aerial flying at the Currituck Airport. Here's a shot of my friend C. with the pilot of the tandem hang glider circling down from a great fly over our beautiful county.

Sunday, July 12, 2009

The Killdeer


The nest belongs to a killdeer, one of the plover birds. It's shrieking calls remind you of it's name. The babies are the cutest ... little puffs of spotted feathers and all legs ready to run after hatching. Our kind neighbors who are hosting this nest are giving it wide berth, the killdeer insisted!

Saturday, July 11, 2009

Photo Quiz: Whose Nest?


Made in a depression right on the ground, with little pebbles or in this case tiny bits of shell, this beautifully camoflauged nest is found in fields or lawns with open space. The mother bird will fake injury to draw you away from the nest. I'll have a photo of the mother bird tomorrow.

Friday, July 10, 2009

While they are here


Another dragonfly, this one in gold. They are all over the tops of the corn fields. Cut the grass and they fill the yard. Enjoy them while they are here.

Thursday, July 9, 2009

Hummingbird Newbie


I was out by the garden and spotted this little guy at the oleander...then the sunflower, up to the crepe myrtle, down to orange gladiolas and then the red salvia. Finally a little rest on the bean fencing. His neck shows indication of future ruby feathers!

Wednesday, July 8, 2009

Watermen on the Currituck Sound


Watermen tend to their crab pots on a hazy morning on the sound west of Carova.

Tuesday, July 7, 2009

Busy Bluebird Days


The soft calling of the bluebird is nonstop this morning. Ready to fledge that box full, I wondered? I stepped outside to find her about 10 feet away from the box singing away. Here's a quick photo. I'm off to find a quiet spot and watch the action.

Monday, July 6, 2009

White Egret on the Waterlily Causeway


Perched atop a bright green cyprus, the large egret takes a break from feeding in the shallow causeway waters below.

Sunday, July 5, 2009

Currituck Heritage Park


Looking east miles across the Currituck Sound, features of the park can be seen: the Currituck Lighthouse, the green roof line of the Center for Wildlife Education, and the chimneys of the Whalehead Club.

Friday, July 3, 2009

Vive le Tour!


I give you this sunflower as a toast to the start of the 2009 Tour de France tomorrow. By my count we have 10 American riders on 3 teams: Garmin (6), Astana (3) and Columbia (1). The racing is always great and the scenery gorgeous.

Thursday, July 2, 2009

Jewels of the July Day


Graceful and ferocious at once, the dragonfly is much desired for his mosquito and biting fly appetite. The yards, fields and roadsides are full of floating gold, green, red, blue and more shiny "jewels".

Wednesday, July 1, 2009

NICE Catch!


We heard the youngest osprey (last one in the nest!) calling loudly and saw an adult on a neighbor's pier. And what a fish he had, still flapping. Wish I had seen him flying in with the striper. He ate nearly 2/3 of the fish (this took awhile) and then carried the last of it to the nest. The fish catch is not always this fine, this was a good day fishing.