Smallwood Adventure

It was a beautiful day and I wanted to go to a place that I had never visited. My husband took control of the car and off we went to Pasadena. He had wanted to check out a place called Fort Smallwood Park near where he works.

When we entered the park, we had to pay six dollars. As we made our way around the park, it started to become clear that we had just wasted our money. So, we parked the car and walked out to the beach.

We noticed that one fisherman seemed to be having a battle with a gull. It turned out, instead of catching a fish, he had hooked the gull. He can share his story of the one that did not get away.


This was the start of our adventure. Walking along the shore, we can across all kinds of shells clustered together. I had never seen this before and found it interesting.


The path around the marsh came alive with birds. Don and I ran from tree to tree trying to catch them all. There were red-bellied woodpeckers, chickadees, thrashers, downy woodpeckers and this cardinal munching on berries.


One of the funny experience was coming across this snake as I came out of the public restroom. There was another woman with her child still in the restroom. As I open the door, I notice the snake caught on the base of the door. When I got it free, it headed right into the restroom. The mother started to scream and I had to corral the snake back out the door.


My husband came to the rescue and helped chase it along the building. The snake caused a frog to jump out of hiding, which scared me more then the snake did.

We saw a deer, a fox and some squirrels. Before we got to the park, I did get to see a white squirrel that Don had talked about earlier.

This Smallwood adventure was worth more than the six dollars. I look forward to coming back.

Caterpillar Camouflage

There was a new sighting at the Mariner today. It was the first time that I have come across a tiger swallowtail caterpillar. Of course, I had to look it up when I got home. When I saw it moving along the path, it caught my attention because it was different then the bright green one that I has seen many years ago.


I almost stepped on it, because it blended in so well to the pavement. It was a good camouflage. The best camouflage is the fake eyes on the top of his body. When I picked it up with a stick, he displayed his use for this attribute. It was cool watching him swaying back and forth trying to fool me.

So many times in my life, I put on my camouflage and try to fool those around me that I am something that I am not. Those who knows me well can see right through this act of deception.

God is never fooled by my attempt at camouflaging. He sees right into my deepest part of my heart. So, no matter how much I try to be like this caterpillar with his camouflage, I will never win in fooling God.

It was a cool sighting. I was glad to see this caterpillar camouflage.

A Cloudy Day

Where is the sunshine? All I see are clouds. The rain just does not seem to want to end. Now there is a hurricane heading for the east coast. Now there is more rain to an already soaked ground. Where will all the water go?

I love blue skies and fluffy clouds. Like this picture, I can make out a puppy right in the center. There are many things I see in the clouds as they pass on. This is one of my favorite pass time.

Now, I love to watch a good old fashion thunder storm, with all the lightening shows. After this past week worth of storms, this is a little bit too much. When will it all end?

God made the seasons for us to enjoy. We need the rain, the sunshine and the cloudy days. I just wish we could send some of the water to the states that need it due to drought. That is my prayer.

We do need to pray for all those who will be hit hard by Hurricane Florence. We need to get back to seeing just a cloudy day full of fluffy pictures.

Busy Flycatcher

It moved so fast. With one fast swoop it nabbed the flying insect and flew back to the limb of the tree. Perched, it looks for the next small morsel to past within its grasp. Before you can blink you eyes it is off again.

This busy flycatcher was getting his fill of the many flying bugs that swarmed around the trees. He did not care that I was standing just feet away enjoying his activities.

I love how God provides for his many creatures. If He cares for something as simple as this small little bird, how much more does He cares for me?

Like this flycatcher, I can get so busy trying to catch my next opportunity, that I am unaware of my surroundings. I need to stay still and wait on God to direct my path.

With God's leading, I will get my fill of the morsels of grace that swarms all around me. 

A Cycle Of Life

I try each year to catch the whole cycle of the life of a butterfly. It started when I first saw the Baltimore Checkerspot Butterfly several years ago. I caught the bug for bugs.

The past two weeks I have been keeping an eye on the monarch at Harford Glen. I had hope to see the butterfly in the picture emerge from the chrysalis. This is the one thing that I have not been able to capture on film.

I do like this picture as it shows a cycle of the butterfly. With each stage there is a period of growth. The caterpillar spends weeks eating and growing. Then it is time to create the next stage by forming the chrysalis.


Just a few feet away on another leaf I spy a caterpillar attaching himself for the next cycle. Below, there is another feeding.


I will keep trying and keep taking pictures. I will get the whole cycle of life.

Back To School

Tomorrow children from all over will be going back to school. Some for the first time and others it will be their last year. Whatever the case, the first day is always a bit scary.

Making new friends, meeting new teachers and learning new things can bring you to your knees. It is not easy to start over. As the days moves on, you will forget how afraid you were and thing will get easier.

This week, I also will start my first day at a new job. I do not know what to expect, yet, through past experiences, I know with each day it will get easier. 

As each child walk through the school doors tomorrow, I will be praying that this year will be a safe and excited one for them all. I will also be praying that my new job will be just as safe and exciting.

Tomorrow is the first day we all go back to school, work or some other new adventures. I can not wait to see what the future hold for us all.

A Bug's Eye View

Today as I walked the path that I traveled for many years, I got my view blocked by something that flew onto my glasses. This leaf like bug decided that he needed my glasses to see.

For the past few weeks, I have been on the look out for bugs. This is a good time of the year to find some unusual creatures. I sometimes have to get down and dirty to find these little buggers. Just like this "what I call a turd-bug" walking on the fence.

The fences has been a great place for finding all kinds of bugs. Caterpillars, spiders and beetles make these fences the highways to their destinations.

Life can be exciting from a bug's eye view.