Ice on the River

I took some grandchildren to Big Springs this morning.  They thought it was cold.  I thought it was wonderful.

Thorn Tree

I have a grandson who loves nature, bugs, dinosaurs, everything interesting.  Anything interesting.  He's ten.  He and I went on a walk on Thursday and he pointed out a thorn on a tree for me to see.

I thought at first that he was messing with me, but on this morning's walk, he showed me several trees with these thorns.

The entire bark of the tree is covered with these thorns.

I searched for matching images on Google but didn't get a hit.  No matter.  I'll keep going on walks with this grandson, and he'll keep showing me interesting things.  [Update:  This is a Toothache Tree.  The knobs have an analgesic property.]

Thanksgiving Day Walk

Yellow Jackets interfered with my outdoor activities last summer.

I set out traps, which were helpful, but I also looked for the nest.

How did I miss a basket-ball-sized nest 100 feet from my house?

Birds on a Fall Morning

The morning was so beautiful that I was distracted from my hurried Sunday morning.

I hadn't realized there were berries on this tree, or that the birds ate them.

They were flitting around, making it hard to find them through my camera lens, but this bird actually posed for me.

Honest, there has never been a more beautiful fall morning.

A Little Snow

Snow fell in the valley today.  It didn't stick down here, but it did in the mountains.  I'm ready for winter, new boots and all.

Yellow

This has been the most beautiful fall, ever.

Fall in My Garden

I found myself distracted this morning when the sun came over the mountains.

I planted these mums for an outside event last year and they barely survived.  This year, however, they have thrived.

Brush a distance away looked stunning in the morning light.

Even dead plants are beautiful in the sunlight.

Snow on Timp!

Rain over the last two days brought snow to my favorite mountain!

Hungry Koi

We weren't able to feed the koi last night.  They were happy to see us tonight.

Mt. Timp

Mt. Timpanogos is always beautiful, but especially tonight.

2017 Solar Eclipse

I wanted so badly for my camera to get pictures of today's eclipse.  I felt like the camera wasn't focusing at all, except I knew the little crescent at the bottom of this photo was a reverse image of the sun.  I was seeing that crescent, except not reverse, through my solar glasses.

When everyone with me began screaming that it was time, I began to panic.  And then, all of a sudden, my camera focused.  This is the first diamond ring as the eclipse approached totality.

What my eyes were seeing was a little different than what my camera saw, but both images were exquisite.

I knew the second diamond ring was going to appear at the top, at about 1 o'clock.

I was beyond thrilled when I realized my camera was in focus.

And then I cried.

In what seemed like one massive heartbeat, it was over, but I was still crying.

Idaho Weeds

I grew up in Idaho.  Even now, I can remember lots of weeds.

My family is gathering in Idaho for the eclipse next week.  My camera and I took a walk last night.  I don't remember the weeds being this beautiful.

Butterfly Visit

A butterfly joined our family for lunch this afternoon.

This was an unexpected and fun event, which was followed by what everyone knew about butterflies.

And then, to our amazement, another butterfly joined us!

Hummingbirds in a Storm

A storm tonight was fast and furious.

The hummingbirds couldn't wait for it to pass over.

The wind was still blowing.

The hummingbirds have a high tolerance level.

My husband now has to fill the feeder several times a week.

These are noisy, funny and happy birds.

And all of us were glad the storm was over.

Rainbows in a Storm

It's raining, and the wind is blowing.

I've never seen anything so beautiful!

Things That Fly

I trimmed my geraniums this morning.

The hummingbirds don't mind if I'm outside.

My geraniums had to wait while I found my camera.

For being such little birds, they can be quite noisy.

This picture was taken without using the sport setting.

This one was not.

I walked down the stairs to turn on the hose to fill the cistern that waters my flowers.

I spied another winged creature.  We left each other alone.

I'm delighted to finally be able to take pictures of birds at the second feeder.

This scene might look peaceful in pictures, but when we're all outside together, the hummingbirds buzz both feeders and have a grand party.

The only calm object I found this morning was the neighbor's flowers.