Becoming A Regular Visitir

This mallard duck and his lady friend have been showing up every morning and evening looking for the corn that the squirrel drops.

A Really Old Door

This is a door on a historical landmark in the city of Des Moines, Iowa - The Kathedral. This building has been called the gateway to the Capital City. Built in 1901, this property carries with it profound religious, historical and architectural significance. Visit their site at http://www.thekathedral.com.

Who Me?

This guy is cute - but, mischievous...

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Patriotism Comes In All Shapes and Sizes

We attended the Mobilization and Farewell Ceremony for the 103rd Sustainment Command Sunday In Des Moines. My Son-in-law is a 1st LT in the Unit and will be deploying for 400 Days+. As the General explained the mission of the unit it is to, "...move a city the size of Sioux City - all 82 thousand of them along with everything they own (vehicles and all) 3/4 away around the world. Makes my head hurt to think about it... I can't seem to pack right to go on a 3 hour trip.

There were tears, laughter and solemn moments. The young, the old, the veteran, the non-veteran, the Moms and Dads, the Grandmas and Grandpas, the Wives, the Daughters, the Sons, the girlfriends and boyfriends - all felt the electricity in the air when the first notes of the Star Spangled Banner were heard. I would imagine it would have been difficult to find a dry eye (even now as I type)...

Her Daddy is deploying.

This group of freedom riders escorted the buses as they departed.

These veterans continue to serve as color guard for a variety occasions - send offs, coming home ceremonies, football games, baseball games, and most importantly for funerals of deceased veterans. In the Navy we wished those leaving on a deployment, Fair winds and following seas." In the Army, near as I can tell - it is whooohah!!! (No idea if that is even close...)

Jealous Goose

Excuse the multiple photos - but the story must be told...

Ms goose is looking so coy. She is smiling at the new guy...but, the big guy in the back of the photo "catches" them and becomes enraged.

He's not having anything to do with that and charges...

He gathers steam...

Oh no - the scoundrel needs to get out of there...

The jealous goose does not give up...

Ouch!!

Get back here you bum!!

Damn - this guy won't give up...

Maybe if I get in the water...

Damn - he walks on water...

I'm outa here...

And now it's a race...

Smaller images today.

Waiting by The Sea

Playing around with natural light and special affects. This is my favorite art piece, "Waiting by the Sea" It sits on our hearth...

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New Diners

The squirrels which eat at the little feeder we put out are not neat eaters as they spill a lot of corn on the ground. This has attracted the attention of these 2 ducks who roam the neighborhood and they dine beneath the squirrel's table.

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The Color Yellow + A Few Others

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Ducks

I went to choir last night and these ducks were visiting. They let me get close and allowed me to snapped a few photos...and then...

...that's enough...we're outa here.

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Orange Flower

I love the colors this time of year...

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Old Treasures and Memories

I used to spend a week each summer with my Aunt Helen, Uncle George and Cousin Tommy. The chicken coop was the land of adventure. Tommy is older than I am by about 6 years so he was wiser and more experienced and had already begun his journey to aerospace engineer. The coop is where he invented a tornado machine, rocket fuel, and was the hub for his communications as he strung to every building so he could transmit morse code (not sure he ever found anyone to receive it, but he sent it). The building has been on fire at least twice and was filled with treasures when I was a kid and is still filled with treasures at age 58.

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Peek-A-Boo

I'm sure he's convinced I can't see him... because his next move was...

...to take a bite out of the corn on the cob I left out. Perhaps he'll stop raiding the bird feeder...

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Old Pump

We had a chance to visit our old family farm yesterday. It was my Grandfather Myers' farm, which passed to my Uncle George and has since passed to my cousin Tom. It will be a century farm in a couple of years and I am embarking on a journey to get photos from each season, and then combine them with photos I have from my mother. I remember this old pump - it always impressed me that Uncle George had his own gas tank.

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One Bleeding Heart Plus the Interloper

A rain drop...

This guy came back - he just won't give up. If he's not careful he's going to take an unplanned bath...

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More Bleeding Hearts

I know Bleeding Hearts are a favorite of many - here are 2 more...

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Bleeding Hearts

Bleeding Hearts in our front yard.

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Bashful Cardinal

My cardinal sightings are sure increasing. This bashful guy stops by at about 7:45 PM after all of the other birds have left for the evening. I've seen him in the morning a couple of times but he's nervous and doesn't sit still for very long.

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The Acrobat In Search of An Easy Breakfast

Please excuse the multiple pictures in this post, but this series is precious and I just couldn't do it over a 5 day span - so, here it is - "The Acrobat" in search of an easy lunch.

Publish Post

In this photograph the "Acrobat" takes his position in search of an easy breakfast...

He twists and turns, grabs on with his little paws, and with a little luck the he will realize his dreams of a tasty breakfast...

But, he failed in his endeavor. The tasty treats were just out of reach. So, back to the drawing board...

This he assumed would be an easier task to master. Just climb on the roof of this little house and grab the food. It looked easier than it was...

He got to the roof all right, and was holding on for his little life. But, it took about 3 twirls before gravity through him off. The last I saw of this "acrobat", was with his tail in the air scurrying across the street in search of an easier breakfast.

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Books

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Needs a Weight Program

This guy could stand eat a little less and exercise more - seems to be on the heavy side. He is also a bully as he pushes the little ones out of the way...

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Sure Sign of Spring

Train Trestle over the Cedar River

This area is one of my favorite places to photograph. As I was taking the photo of the trestle I noticed the fisherman in the water. The sun may be shining, but it was a bit "nippy" and the water has got to be cold. Must be spring - people are fishing...

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Hey....who's this guy in the window?

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A Surprise Visitor

I've seen probably 2 cardinals flying around our house in the 10 years we've lived here. Yesterday as I was setting up my camera to monitor the bird feeder this cardinal flew in to visit. He surprised me, plus he didn't stay long, so I barely had time to focus.They're not perfect photos by any means, but I will work on that - I just hope it won't be another 10 years before the next cardinal stops by to visit.

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M-m-m-m-m What are these?

It's a joy watching a little one discover new things. Daniel is discovering fingers...

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Morning Bath

This is perhaps why they call it a bird bath.

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A Grandma Sponsored Easter Egg Hunt

We had a Grandma sponsored, Grandpa financed East Egg Hunt yesterday. In stead of candy in the 74 eggs hid, we had coins - ranging from pennies to dollars. It seems the coins were a greater motivator than sugar.

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