ABC Wednesday - Q is for Quiver

Q is for Quiver.............







It's not easy to see in the photo, but if you look closely, you can see the quiver that is attached to this bow.

The bow is a camouflage color, and it is really blending well with its surroundings - not what I was hoping for when I took the photo.

This style of quiver holds the arrows upside down with the feathers or fletchings hanging down.

I had never seen one attached to the bow itself until I saw the setup my husband uses.

Most of us think of the quiver that Robin Hood used, with the feather ends of the arrows sticking up behind his back so he could just grab one from over his shoulder and fire away.

One of the benefits to this style is the whole unit is together, so you just need to carry one thing while walking through the woods.

It does increase the weight of the bow, and throws the balance off slightly, but it is not in the way for aiming or using the bow, and the hunter gets used to them being attached.

Once he finds a back style that he likes, my husband will retire this quiver and use the kind that Robin Hood did, as that is what he prefers.

If you click on the photo, it will bring you to my website where you can view a larger size to see the details of the bow and quiver.





This is the third round of ABC Wednesday. If you would like to join in please visit this site for the details.

Overgrown Mini Golf for Green Thumb Sunday

Overgrown Mini Golf for Green Thumb Sunday







Green Thumb Sunday Blogroll

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For the last couple of weeks, I have been posting images that were photographed at an abandoned miniature golf course.

It had been left unused for a year as the owner had passed away and there was no interest in keeping it running.

We stopped in before everything was completely dismantled, and this image shows the condition of it as nature began to reclaim it.

The plot of land is still for sale, but for developers only.

Our family enjoyed many outings here over the years, but as always - change must come.

Care for an Older Feral Cat

An Older Feral Cat








We have been caring for this feral cat for many years now, and I fear this winter is going to be hard on him as he is starting to show his age.

He has no interest in coming inside the house, but if we are outside, he will be close by, waiting patiently for a pat, or most importantly, a meal.

We could hold the front door open all day long, and he will poke his head in, but will not enter, even after all these years.

I thought I might find some older cat care info online for feral cats or outdoor cats, but I am not having much luck.

We will continue to care for him as long as he allows it and will deal with anything that might come along with it when it happens - hopefully not for a long while.

I did run across a website that is having a FREE Pet Photo Contest! that caught my attention.

A couple times over the past few years he has been obliging enough for me to catch a few good images of him.

Here are the details if you are interested:

Is your pet cute enough to win you $300?
Enter the Anamigo Pet Photo contest and find out.
Entries that get the most votes will win daily and weekly cash prizes.
You could win:
- Daily prize of $25. (You have 7 days to win!)
- Weekly prize of $125

Get your camera out and email your friends. Your furry friend could bring you in cash!

ABC Wednesday - P is for Paintball

P is for Paintball.............







We are lucky enough to live in a rural area where this game of paintball can be played pretty much in our backyard - or I should say - the woods surrounding it.

My son set up a "lean-to" in the woods that he could use as a shelter when playing this messy game.

You can see all the green colored paintballs in the hopper on the top of the gun.

A cylinder with CO2 is loaded on the bottom of the gun, and that is what launches the paint balls through the gun and into the air.

When the ball hits you - it makes a big splatter of green.

He has special clothes that he wears so he doesn't soil his regular ones.

The paint is water soluble, so it hasn't stained anything. It is also bio-degradable so it doesn't harm the plants, animals, or the environment.

Surprisingly, as long as you are covered with clothes, the balls don't really hurt. On just the skin though, they don't feel too good.

The face is well protected, and since they have played responsibly, there have been no injuries.






This is the third round of ABC Wednesday. If you would like to join in please visit this site for the details.

Giant Bee Hive for Green Thumb Sunday

Giant Bee Hive for Green Thumb Sunday







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In last week's Green Thumb Sunday post I mentioned that my boys had made a discovery while I was photographing some berries.

As they joined me, they were all shook up and my husband tells me - you almost lost us both in one pop.

Seeing their reaction had me fearing something big - but I was not prepared for what they had almost walked right into.

If you look closely at this rhododendron bush, you will see a huge bee hive built within its branches.

The bush was bigger than me if this gives you any indication of the size of this thing - and with all the long grass around, it was very easy to not see it as they were walking along.

Check out the size of the entrance hole - many bees were coming and going at the same time with plenty of clearance.

I was really bummed that I only had my 35-85mm lens with me. I didn't dare to get any closer than what I did. This hive was an absolute beauty - all the work those bees did - I really wanted to get closer to get all the details.

It was my intention to get back to where it was during the summer with my larger lens, but we never had that opportunity.

It was in a run-down and abandoned mini golf course which was dismantled shortly after, and I assume the nest was gone too.

I hope the ones that handled its removal were all safe.

Black Powder Season Has Arrived

Black Powder Season has Arrived








Black Powder season opens tomorrow in our region, and the boys are beginning to gear up.

My husband and I have already taken several hikes in the woods these last few weeks since bow season opened earlier.

We have been exploring some new places - while the boys track, I hunt down the light - looking for just the right amount for a good photo in the dark woods.

Most of the leaves have fallen so that lets in more light for photos, but it makes it noisy for hunter's footsteps.

So that means we will find the right spot - usually on a rock wall or fallen tree - and we will watch and listen.

That is when the scopes and binoculars come out so the boys can get a better view.

I use the lens on my camera to look around, but I would rather have a pair of binoculars. With the Nikon ATB Promotion that is now running, I might pick up a pair so I can get a great view too.

I am sure they would be cheaper than the lens and tripod I would like to get so my camera can capture those good views also. Besides, the woods are too dark for that kind of lens.

Perhaps Santa is listening - I will have to help him find a great deal!

ABC Wednesday - O is for OK

O is for OK.............








I'm not sure about other regions around the globe - but the hand sign above is the universal sign in the US that all is "OK".

My daughter "posed" for this - and not too willingly as I was interrupting her nap.

We were at the ocean and had spent the morning climbing on the rocks and combing the beach.

She took a seat on a huge rock out on the breaker wall, and the warm sun and a full belly after lunch lulled her off to dreamland.

When I finally caught up to her she was just coming to and was in no mood for talking, pictures, or getting up.

I reclined beside her and quickly gave into some relaxing moments too.

All she could manage to do was raise her hand and ask me "is this okay?" before the sound of the ocean against the rocks lulled her off again.

Tucking my camera securely against me, I dozed also as the boys watched over us and their fishing rods too.




This is the third round of ABC Wednesday. If you would like to join in please visit this site for the details.