The Monarch migration

Monarch butterfly or simply monarch (Danaus plexippus) 

The fall season has arrived, and with it comes the annual southward late-summer, autumn migration of the Monarch butterfly.

Teresa and I took a walk near the pond at the Stillwater Prairie Reserve. I took several photos like the one above, but this was my favorite. This is a female, but I saw at least one male. The difference is easily detectable by the coloring. The male has a brighter orange color, and the black is not as pronounced. 

Teresa captured several great photos as well .. this is one of her photos:  

Have a great week!  

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Prints are available for many of the photos on this site on canvas, metal or glass. They are stunning and you can purchase them for a wall at home.Click the link or the ‘prints and such’ tab.  

Nature as a backdrop for teaching moments

Earlier this week, I mentioned the Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) in a post on this site. No, I am not going to launch into a discussion about the Ash Borer. Writing that post brought back memories of this photo.

I frequently take walks during lunch at Fort Saint Clair Park in Eaton, OH. It is a lovely park. Sadly, most of the Ash population has been destroyed, and the city has cut down and removed the damaged Ash Trees. The tree in the picture above was just one of many such trees. It is very sad.  

I have to pause for a minute and comment on the beauty of this park. I have seen some amazing wildlife, primarily birds. I enjoy walking here. If you find yourself in Eaton, make a stop here!  There is a small road around the park which I normally walk. I do this ‘loop’ once or twice during lunch. I have turned a walk here into a meeting more than once. There is a lot of history here too! I hope you can visit! 

On one day in May, 2016, I was on one of my walks walk when I saw this father kneeling by a recently fallen Ash tree. He was helping his daughter count the rings on the tree to determine its age. When I came around the second time, they had seen finished counting and were standing by the fallen tree, still engaged in conversation. They told me how many rings they had counted, then I went on with my walk. (Sadly, I don’t remember how old it was). 

I loved watch this father engaged with his daughter. He was teaching, but more importantly he was engaged with her. It was beautiful in so many ways. It melted my heart, and left me thinking about my sons, and my granddaughters. Life is short .. enjoy every moment! 

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Prints are available for many of the photos on this site on canvas, metal or glass. They are stunning and you can purchase them for a wall at home. Click the link or the ‘prints and such’ tab. 

Sometimes you just need nature ..

Stillwater Prairie Reserve, Stillwater River

Sometimes the stress levels get high, and you feel you need a break. That happens to me sometimes. This is how I like to let the stress go .. a long walk with Mother Nature.  

Mourning doves

Mourning doves (Zenaida Macroura)

This looks like a winter shot ... without the snow. The reality is that I took this late yesterday during some light rain near Garbry Big Woods Reserve. The tree is Ash, and did not survive the Emerald Ash Borer (EAB). When I walk this reserve, I normally see the EAB on the trail. I didn’t see any this time. I doubt they are gone. They have killed millions of ash trees in their path.

There is something ironic about these beautiful and peaceful creatures pearching in this ash tree, destroyed by the EAB. I don’t know how long the tree will remain, but for now, it is a place for the dove to view the rest of nature.  

Sailing takes me away ..

The Great Salt Lake, Summer 2017

Shot this photo on a glomming day just outside of Salt Lake City, Utah. Sailing the Great Salt Lake is not on my bucket list, but I have sailed, and it’s a lot of fun.

While the sky was grey, this view calls out to the dreamer to sail away. You don’t have to be bound by your office, home or residence ... you can sail away, even if just for a moment. 

Remember these words form the 1980 Christopher Cross song, ‘Sailing’?  (click the link to listen to the song)

Well, it's not far down to paradise, at least it's not for me

And if the wind is right you can sail away and find tranquility

Oh, the canvas can do miracles, just you wait and see

Believe me

Sailing takes me away to where I've always heard it could be

Just a dream and the wind to carry me

And soon I will be free

Enjoy!