One Big Fish

I caught the big fish.

There was something new at the boardwalk in Havre de Grace. It has been a while since I took the time to visit. It was just too nice outside to spend it inside. So, My husband and I spent the day checking out many places. The coolest thing that we came across was this big fish at the end of the boardwalk.

Who ever made this fish, took some time to put the pieces together. It is made up of many smaller fishes. This is one fine piece of work of art.

Today, it is New Year Eve. Tomorrow, like the whole world, I will be starting a whole new year. It would be easy to think that I can do it all alone. I do tend to try. As I get older though, I have learn that I need the help of my family, friends and church family to make it through the water ways of life.

It does take a whole school of fishes to stick together. There is power in the numbers. This fish art helps me to see how many can become one powerful force to deal with.

Happy New Year.

A Wren Song

There is no mistaking the song of the Carolina Wren. When these little birds of the Mariner Point Park start to sing, you can hear them through out the park. Like many birds they have many vocal sounds. I know when they sounds the alarms. It is amusing when they are in a playful mood. In this picture, the wren is calling out to another.


These little fellows are a sight to watch. They remind me of God's sense of humor. He makes us all like the wren in that we all sing our own songs. We can sound the alarm when scared. We communicates back and forth with each other. And I am sure He finds us a sight to watch.

I just hope that in my case, God sees in me the eagerness to sing a wren song to Him. That it is pleasing to His ears as the wren song is pleasing to mine..

First Fox Sighting

It has been years since I have seen a fox around Mariner Point Park. When their dens were destroyed from the dreading that goes on about every three years, I knew it would be awhile before I would see one again.

I miss the foxes when they are not around. The first time that I saw a litter, I thought they were rats. They were so small and so dark. As they grew, the true nature of their color would come out.


I love watching the mother teaching them to hunt. They are so eager to learn. The kits love to play and explore. They sure are curious about things. This kit had to figure out who I was many years ago.


Many time in life, there are friends I do not get to see for years. Today an old fiend came into my work. It was good to see her and catch up.

Like the first fox sighting this year, seeing my friend brings many good memories. I do miss seeing the foxes at the mariner. I miss many of my friends. The good things is that I know that I will run into them again. This makes me smile and look forward to tomorrow.

Skink's Log

One thing I can count on as I walk around Mariner Point Park, on one of the decaying logs, I will find a family of skinks. This has been going on for many years.


This five-lined skink is a juvenile. I read once that the female lays her eggs inside the log. One day I will find the spot around this log. Through out the park, I can find these gems sunning themselves on a hot sunny day.

The little guys are hard to see, unless you know where to look. It has taken me years to learn where several of their hiding spots are located.

This kinds of makes me think about learning where some of the gems of the Bible are located. It has taken me more years than I can count just to take in the beauty of the verses that gets me through the day.

I never know what I will find as I turn the pages. Just like walking around the park, I never know when I will find another skink on a log, Each day I can not wait to find the next gems.

Curious Woodpecker

The woodpeckers were curious about the hole in the tree. First the red-bellied woodpecker checks out the hole. Within a few minutes several others joins the first female. So, I decided to stick around to see why they were so interested in this one tree.


Soon the downy woodpeckers also join in the quest. One by one they took their turn checking out the hole. I wanted to climb the tree. I was just as curious as these birds

I notice some movement coming from inside the hole. Soon, I would finally get to see what all the excitement was about. Camera in hand, the mystery was about to be solve. Out of the hole popped a titmouse.


This was not what I expected. Once he left the tree, the other birds seemed to go their own ways as well. I never did figure out what was in the hole. Whatever it was, like the woodpecker it has my curiosity going full blast.

A Caterpillar Hitch Hiker

Today as I got into my car, I notice that something tried to ride along. I had a caterpillar hitch hiker. He was so tiny. I almost did not notice the little guy. So, I sent him on his way back to where he belong.


He was not the only caterpillar I saw today. It seemed that the park was full of them. As I walked along the fence looking for signs of life. I came across many.  They were all sorts of color and sizes.


I have no idea what these caterpillars will turn into. This is something I need to research some more. But, for now I just will enjoy the different patterns.


This past week, I showed what Harford Glen had to offer. This week, I will seek out what the Mariner Point Park has to show us.

Fawn Scare

Walking down a path by the stream, I was startled by a movement in the bushes. Out popped a fawn that I had accidentally scared. Of course, the fawn scared the wits out of me as well. The grassy area was so high that it was too hard to see the fawn. But she kept an eye on me all the while, until I took another step and off she went leaving me to see her tail bobbing along.

This is not the first time that I was startled by a fawn. Last year as I walked the same path, I came across another one drinking from the water. For a good five minutes we both just stared at each other. I was afraid to move for fear that I would scare him. He was afraid to move, properly thinking that I was going to attack.


I wish there was a way that I can let these babies know that I am not out to hurt them. One thing is for sure. They sure know how to put a fawn scare in me. I need to be more quiet as I go down the path by the stream.

Yellowlegs Chase

There were three of them dashing back and forth, head down in the water. It was hard to get my camera to focus on them to get a shot off. As soon as I got one in my sight, it would be off chasing whatever was in the water.


It was unusual for me to see three of them together. The greater yellowlegs are a nice sightings for me. I do not get to see them often. These guys sure were busy searching for food. It was almost comical.


I never did get a picture of what they were eating. It was fun watching their many efforts. This is not the first time that I have seen them at Harford Glen. But, I have not seen them anywhere else. I will be back, as long as I can to seek them out. Maybe next time, I will get to see what is for dinner.

Muskrat Splash

Each time I walk the short boardwalk at Harford Glen, I look for the muskrat. He is one of my favorite creature to watch there. The past several weeks I have not seen any sign of him.

After walking around the grounds and getting some cool shots of the other inhabitants, I went back to the boardwalk. While bending over the rail, I was scare by a sudden splash behind me. As I turned to see what it was, there swimming towards me was the muskrat.


You can tell he was on a mission. I do not think he realized that I was there. He made his way to a bush and eat several small branches. When he had his fill, he proceeded to take a branch back to his abode.

I wished that I could have follow him and find his home. But the boardwalk only goes a short distant. I had to say goodbye. I thank the muskrat for his splash. Without it I would not have gotten to enjoy our time together.

Wren Feast

For the past several weeks, I have spent my Sundays walking around Harford Glen. This house wren caught my ears first. I knew she was on the hunt. Sure enough, she flew on the sign with a juicy spider. The problem was, I had no idea where she was heading with this meal.


At the top of the pole, to my surprise, was a hole that i have never noticed. The wren slipped in with the morsel only to return free of the catch. This went on trading off with the other parent. I only wished that the baby would peek out and let me see the new resident of the park.


Finally, he decided to grant my wish and proceeded to show me his newest lunch. with each feed, he popped out and let me see his treat.


I could have stayed all day. But, I had other things to do and I said my goodbyes. At least until next Sunday.

A Crowd Of Three

The butterflies were everywhere. They were flying from flower to flower. This flower hosted a crowd of three. When a fourth one showed, it would cause one of the other to find another flower.


Of course, they were not the only ones to enjoy the array of nectar bearing plants. The bees, wasps and the hummingbird moths take their turns at the many different flowers.


Here are just a few of the bugs that enjoyed the nectar of the many flowers.


This next picture has a butterfly share this flower with a small skipper.


I could have spent the whole day just watching all of God's creations. But for now, I will just enjoy the time that is given me with the crowd of butterflies.

Osprey Dinner Time

While having a picnic at a friend's home, my husband called to tell me about an osprey family. The churches' softball teams were having their tournaments all day. My husband noticed that there was a nest on a light pole over the field. So he told me to bring my camera.

The picnic was finishing up and I headed to the ball field. As I parked my car I noticed that one of the parent was hard at work ripping apart a fish and feeding the two juveniles. First the bird in the back ground got his share. Then the one in the front got his turn.

It was cool watching this act of parenting. It was clear that the younger ones were learning from the parent. Several times they would try their luck at pulling at the fish, not to succeed. The parent came to the rescue and by twisting the head pulled a nice piece of morsel and handed it over to the juvenile.


It was a great day to share dinner with my Fellowship Circle friends. It was also a great day to share in the osprey dinner time.

Gorgeous Bird?

I would be the first to tell that this bird would not be on my gorgeous list. When I saw is this afternoon, I had to take a second look. Last summer someone did tell me about this bird hanging around Harford Glen. But, I had my doubt. What is this bird?


It is a turkey vulture. This is one awesome sight for me today. He was flying around from tree to tree. It is a good thing I had my camera ready. This is a once in a life time opportunity. He seems to know this and spread out his wings for me to get the full effect.


Is this a gorgeous bird? Yes. But only this vulture with the white wings. All others are far down on my list of gorgeous birds.

Which Way Do I Go

In West Virginia, outside the hotel we were staying in, was a grave yard. I noticed that there were several holes along the fence. Before too long, I found out why they were there. Out popped a ground hog with her little ones.

They seemed to be having a hard time deciding which way to go. The mom wanted to go to the left and the little guy wanted to head to the right. He ended up using his mom as a stepping stool to reach the foliage.


There are many times that I do not know which way I should go. I need to rely on others to get directions. It might be where to go for dinner, vacation or just the next step at work.

There are times when the direction I want to go is too hard for me. This is when I need to use a stepping stool and spend time praying. Through prayers God helps me to go the right way. It might be to the left. It might be to the right. Either way, God's way gets me to the fresh foliage.

Which way do I go? I go where God leads me.

West Virginia's Woodpecker

I can not count how many years I have been trying to get a picture of the red-headed woodpecker. I travel all over, but all I got was a glimpse. These past few weeks, my husband and I have visited three states; North Caroline, Illinois and West Virginia.

Most of this trip was tracing our roots, visiting family and if at all possible getting some good pictures of nature. West Virginia was our last stop. While checking out the family grave sites, just up the road a bird caught our eyes. My husband pulled off the road. There flying from the ground up to the post was the prettiest red-headed woodpecker I have seen.

It does pay to have my camera ready. I rolled down my window and fired off several shots. He just poised for me. He seems to know that I really wanted this picture.

I will still continue to look for the red-headed woodpecker in my home state. Until one shows up, I will be ever thankful for this West Virginia's woodpecker.

Shaking Off The Water

We managed to miss most of the rain getting to North Carolina. It was an uneventful trip. This is unusual for me. There is always a story to tell with each vacation. It was only after we got ready to go to dinner that the sky opened up. We found our selves shaking off the water going to and from the restaurant like the swan in this picture.

It seems that this is the year of the rain storms. We can not escape the deluge of water where ever we go. We left this morning from Maryland with a flood watch and ended tonight in North Carolina with a flood watch.

This I do know, God is watching over me. I am in good hands even in all the storms. When it is done, all I have to do is shake off the water.

Butterfly Haven

Harford Glen is one of the butterfly haven in Harford County. It does help that they grow many types of plant that attracts these delicate winged bugs.


The many species of butterfly call this place home for a short time. This is why I do my best to visit here each weekend. From the smallest  to the most colorful, I try my best to capture them all on film.


They remind me that we are all special. God created us in many sizes, colors and shape. From the smallest of us to the most colorful, we are only here for a short time. I can only hope that we make the best of the life we are given.

Today, I will enjoy the butterfly haven. Some day, I will get to enjoy God's heaven. That would be a dream.

A Turtle Rescue

Today, I did my good deed. While driving by the marsh, I noticed a hump in the road. The problem. It was moving. I knew right away that it was a turtle and he was heading for danger.

I have watch turtles being rescued many times. Once a trucker slammed on his brake causing it to squeal in protest. This burly looking guy got out and guided the snapping turtles back to the marsh.

Another time, a mother and her young son took up the torch and rescue another turtle. Even the  animal rescue team got in the act and save a large snapping turtle by putting it in a cage and letting it go into the marsh.

Today, I pulled over and picked up this softball size boxed turtle and put him into the grass facing the marsh. I did my duty, now it was up to him to head back into the marsh. As I left, I can only hope he did not turn around and try to head back into danger.

We can do our duty and help a friend by putting them on the right path. The problem. It is up to them to stay on the road to safety.

Like this turtle, I can only hope that the people I help do not turn around and head back into danger. I did my good deed. Now, it is their turn to continue on the right path.

Sleepy Fox

Yawning fox. Is it time for bed yet? I know that I am ready for a good night sleep. Work is taking a toll on me. I find myself so tire when I get home each night. Like this kit, I can not help but yawn.


Just a few feet away her mother is taking a nap. Naps have become a daily routine for me. I need my afternoon rest time. I think she needed her five minute nap just to keep up with her daughter. While she sleep, her little one is on the prowl.


What has this kit attention? Within a few feet a finch is on the prowl for bugs. I waited to see if she would try and chase this little bird. But, she just lays down. She is not ready to hunt.


This finch fly away to hunt for bugs somewhere else. Mother fox continues to nap and the kit yawns some more.


This kit is not ready to hunt. She is too sleepy. Like this sleepy fox, I too am not ready for the hunt. I think it is time for me to take a nap.

Frog Talk

The other day while walking on the boardwalk at Harford Glen, I was bomb-barded by the croaking of the frogs. Of course, I could never see them. As soon as I would get close enough, they would disappear into the water. All I would hear are the frog talk in the other locations in the water.

I decided to stay still and watch. Sure enough, out came a frog and began to sing. It was interesting to see how he would cause his throat to enlarge and create the croaking sound. This was followed by other frogs. Some times the sounds would be so loud that they hurt my ears.

I think about how we communicate with each other. What are our croaking sounds? Also, I wonder about our talks with God. We do not see Him, Yet, there are signs and sounds all over. We just need to stay still and watch.