ABC Wednesday - O is for Ocean

O is for Ocean............







My most absolute favorite place to be - the Ocean.

We only get there a couple times each year now, but having grown up beside the sea, it gets in your blood.

The smell, the feel, the sound - a joy for all the senses.

No matter the season, the pull is always there.

It always feel like home no matter how long we have been away.




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

Fiddleheads Emerging - My World

Fiddleheads Emerging - My World






We went to check on the ferns the middle of last week, and they were not quite ready for picking.

Just beginning to emerge from last years growth, these ferns need the warmth of the sun to encourage their growth.

There are only three showing in this image, but packed down in that dried out patch are another six to seven ferns just waiting to feel that sun too.

When they are about five to six inches tall, they are ready to pick.

But you have to catch them before they begin to unfurl and become leafy.

We'll take another trip up this week to check on them - there should be some just right for picking.

Yum!

Dandelions Galore

Dandelions Galore







They have begun to arrive - the invasion of the dandelions.

We don't have anywhere near this many around our yard, but this state park has enough for everyone.

They must love the salt air of the ocean as they are really flourishing in this area.

They make for quite a colorful addition to the whole scene, so I couldn't stop myself from photographing them.

I can remember dandelion bouquets clutched in little hands and offered with much love from my little ones years ago.

I can just imagine what the bouquet size would have been if they had run across these guys - the dixie cup would not have sufficed as the vase!

ABC Wednesday - N is for Nests - with Birds!

N is for Nests............







If you have been following my last few posts, then you know I have been watching some nests that are perched high in the bare treetops of a swamp.

And I am so excited to make this post!

I spotted those nests right off on our late winter hike, and was surprised they were still in the trees as we had a horrendous wind storm just a couple weeks before.

The birds must make them pretty tough to withstand that.

On our hike last weekend, I had my 80-300mm lens on my camera so I could zoom in on them on the other side of the swamp.

I could see the outline of one of the birds standing in a nest, and at the time I took the photos, I thought there was only one nest occupied.

When I got home, and zoomed in on the photo on the computer, I was quite surprised to see all the nests had birds.

The birds are Blue Herons - the ones we usually see standing along the shore with their long legs in the water and their long necks stretched high.

Hard to believe they these long-legged birds make their nests so high in the treetops.

If you click on the image, it will take you my website where you can view a larger photo.

Two birds were standing, all the rest were sitting - and they are all facing the same way.

Must be something to that - I will have to check that too next time we are there.




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

Abstract Branches - My World

Abstract Branches - My World






The light was hitting these fine branches just right that afternoon.

This image was taken on our last visit to our new hiking spot.

This young tree had fallen into the water and just the top part of it was left above the waterline.

And I am so glad it was - it seemed to be glowing in the afternoon sun.

The polarizer filter helped to turn the water a deep blue - which was reflecting the beautiful clear sky that day.

I love the contrast of this abstract - Mother Nature sure knows how to make beautiful things!

What Caught My Eye

What Caught My Eye







Can you see what caught my eye the first time we discovered this swamp further down our road?

I have been posting about this spot for the last week, and this image shows what makes me want to keep returning to check on how they are doing.

I didn't have my long lens on at this time, but you can spot them with out it.

This image was taken in the late winter, and spring has certainly made a difference to this scene.

I have more photos from last week, and I can't wait to get back down there again to see how things have progressed with the occupants.

ABC Wednesday - M is for Majestic

M is for Majestic............







These two trees were standing solitary against the late winter blue sky.

Both are pines - one planted solidly on dry land, and one standing in the water along the edge of a swamp.

It was quite a contrast - one thriving and the other at the end of it's life.

Both majestic with a story to tell.

This was another scene from that beautiful spot we discovered a few weeks back.

More posts to come from this beautiful spot!




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