The Osphey Spotted Me

Today. after I got off of work, I headed to the Mariner to see if I could catch some of the birds people have been posted on the MD Birding Facebook site. As I pulled into the park, I spotted an osphey on the nesting box at the entrance.

I made my rounds and took several pictures. The birds were few and I took few pictures. So, I decided to see if I could spot the osphey again. I got in my car went back to the entrance. When I walked out onto the end of the pier, I could not spot the osphey anywhere.

I got back into the car and headed out of the park. At the last moment, I saw him on a pole eating a fish. I had to turn around and try to take some pictures. The lighting was not great, since the sun was setting. I got a little to closer to try and get one decent shot and he spotted me.

Even though I did not get any great pictures, it still was cool to see the osphey. This is a good sign that spring will soon be here. The osphey spotted me, but, I still got the picture.

A Day Of Waiting

The egret in this picture waited along time to get this fish. He will spend the day waiting. With each catch the waiting is worth it to this egret.

Today, I had to renew my license. I knew I would have to wait. What I was not expecting, was to wait for three hours. From the MVA, I went to renew my AAA membership. There, it was a short wait.

The next place I had to go, was to pick up my meds from base. The place was full and I waited again. Since I was already there, when I got my pills, I decided to get my tetanus shot. This time the waiting time came after. I have to wait to see if I would have a reaction to the shot.

I did not mind the waiting. like the egret, the rewards were worth the wait.

One Of Five

In the photo group that I am a member of, we have our meeting once a month. Each month, we have an assignment that we are given to complete. This month assignment was to bring in five picture that represent symmetry. This means that the two side of the picture are similar.

One of my five was a picture of a butterfly in flight. What you are seeing in this picture was a malfunction of the camera. This shot has turned out to be one of my favorite picture. The mistake of the camera created a work of art.

Every time I find myself making a mistake in life, God uses it to create a work of art. I may see it as a malfunction. God sees it as a opportunity to show His grace.

My one of five is also one of my favorite picture that I have ever taken.

A Few New Ducks In The Marsh

This American Wigeon was a nice surprise yesterday. I had a lot of running around to do getting ready for today's snow event. You know, getting milk and all the other essentials you need when you are expecting to be snowed in for the day.

I past by the marsh several times and pulled over each time hoping to see anything new. Over the past ten years of documenting the many birds that visit this place, I have never seen a wigeon. This was a first for me.


As I was watching and taking pictures, I also notice another fowl that was new to me. It was a canvasback. I am sorry that the picture is not great. I just could not get the camera to focus.


There was a third duck that I think was a Northern pintail. It sure was an active happening place for the ducks. I hope they stick around so I can try and get better pictures. It made my day to see a few new ducks hanging out at the marsh.

One Fine Elk

When on vacation at Yellowstone, we are always on the look out for bears, buffalo and elks. Once we caught this one fine elk using the limb of this tree to clean his antlers.

We seems to see herds of elks each time we visit the park. But, we do know that it is very wise to keep our distance as we take the pictures. This is not true for many visitors of the park.

One time we watched a guy go right up to an elk to get a close up.  We were sure that he would be attacked. He was lucky.

Time after time we are amazed at the senseless acts of tourist getting right up on buffalo, bears and elks. So far, we have not witnessed any attacks. One time though, we did see a girl almost get run over by a small herd of buffalo crossing the road. That was kind of scary.

I can not wait to go back to Yellowstone. I look forward to seeing this fine elk again.

A Rose For Valentine

Here is a rose for you on Valentine's Day. Love is in the air, so they say. The smell of the rose is sweet. It evokes many memories of times when I would receive them.

I like the many colors and varieties of shapes and sizes. The pink ones are my favorite. But, I would welcome any color. When it is a gift of love, it does not matter if it is pink, yellow or red.

I give this pink rose to you. Happy Valentine's Day.

Yummy Heart

One of the hearts in town made my mouth water for the sweet taste of chocolate cover strawberries. Of course, I can not eat too many strawberries due to my allergy to them. This doe not stop me from know what a yummy treat they are to eat.

Getting a box of chocolates is one of the things I look forward to on Valentine's Day, even if I have to buy it for myself. There is almost a healing property to the morsels of chocolates. When it melts in your mouth, you can feel a sense of calm cover your body.

Giving a box of candy with a flower or two makes a person feel loved. It does not have to be expensive. It does not have to elaborate. It just has to come form the heart.

This chocolate cover heart strawberry is truly a yummy piece of art. I sure do enjoy it.

Winter Freeze

Looking through some of the old winter pictures from two years ago, I came across the winter freeze ones. It was one of the worst ice storm that I had seen. It was also one of the prettiest.

I do not like to travel doing these storms, because the road can be dangerous. So, I wanted until the trucks treated the roads before I ventured out. One of the first place I had to go was the Mariner. I had to check on my feather friends.

I never leave home with out my bird seeds and peanuts. I know that squirrels and birds will seek me out to get their treats. The titmouse loves it when I break the peanuts out of their shell. They will go after the pieces and carry it to a frozen limbs and peck at it.

The chickadees, nuthatches and other small birds will do the same thing. They break the peanuts into bit size pieces by holding the nut with there feet and peaking at it. So, I make sure that I have plenty for them.

I hope that we do have another freeze this year. Yes, I know that this is crazy. But, they do make for great pictures.

Drain Baby's Valentine

Those who have followed my blog for a long time, knows that there is a doll on the Aberdeen Proving Ground. This doll sits on a drain not far from the clinic. Each time that I go on base to see the doctors or pick up meds, I pass by the drain. Today he is dressed, ready for Valentine's Day.

Once, I caught the family changing the outfit. It has been a mystery to everyone from the beginning. No one seemed to know who was responsible for the many outfits of the drain baby. I was sworn not to tell.

So, today I am reminded to spread love to everyone I meet. I do not need a holiday like Valentine's Day to send out kindness. A kind word, a small gift or a listening ear are some ways to show my heart.

Like this Valentine's drain baby, I plan on showing off my heart to others. Maybe I will give a love one a bouquet of flowers as well.

Harford's Hearts

All around the town of Bel Air in Harford County are pieces of art in the shape of hearts. So, I made it my mission to search for each and every one of them. I have counted fourteen so far.

With Valentine's Day fast approaching, I though this one with hearts on the heart would be a good one to share. What is Valentine all about?

I believe that it is about sharing a piece of your heart to another. It is a good day to show kindness to a love one in your life. It is all about love.

As I walk around, I enjoy seeing the many hearts in town. I pray that the Harford's hearts encourages each and everyone of us to share our hearts.

Diving Duck

Yesterday, I had an hour to spare, so, I went walking at the park, There are several piers to check out for ducks, geese and many other water fowls. I was not expecting to see a duck diving. I am use to seeing the many mallards who spend all year there.

There she was, one minute swimming, the next diving. It was a female hooded merganser. I have been seeing them a lot throughout the many ponds. At the industrial pond, there are about a dozen hanging out.


This female was all by herself. Being alone seemed to not be a problem for her. She had the whole waterway to eat as much vegetation as she wanted. There was no competition.

This diving duck was a joy to watch. Here you see her. Now you don't.

Another Groundhog Day

Another Groundhog Day is almost over. Did he see his shadow? Well, today was a bright sunny day. So, I would say yes. Six more weeks of winter.

We all know that the winter weather forecast is not really decided by the groundhog shadow. That is just ridiculous. The weather patterns and past history of winters gone by, is the best way to predict if we might have six more weeks of winter.

I for one, am ready to say goodbye to the cold, wind and snow of this season. Spring can not come fast enough for me. Another Groundhog Day can say what its wants. I say hello to warmer weather.

Flicker Flight

I always drive by the marsh in hope of seeing something new. Of course, checking on the swans is part of my reason for stopping there. The marsh consist of really three parts. Two parts are accessible  on route 40 divided by the by-pass to route 24.  The third and bigger part is along route 24.

A couple of days ago, as I drove past it, I noticed several birds flying from tree to tree. I recognized the flight pattern and the red heart shape on the back of the head. It was a family of flickers. There was two young ones and two adults.

The adults seemed to be teaching the young ones about flight and finding their food in the trees. As the adults took flight, the babies kept their sight on them. I also kept my eyes on them as well. It was fun watching the interaction of this family.

The flight of the flicker is unique. I could watch them all day.