Christmas Day Sledding

This morning our family postponed the gift opening and went straight to my favorite sledding park.  We had a glorious morning!

Falling Leaves

Leaves falling from this tree caught my eye as I washed lunch dishes.  Look closely -- this is why the season is called fall.

Morning Moon

This week the moon has been following me on my early morning walks.  Honestly, it's so bright I don't need my flashlight.

October Blooms

I wandered outside this afternoon to bring in the recycle bin.  Blooms in my new front garden caught my eye.

These were worth a trip back to the house for my camera.

Mr. Moon

I headed out the door this morning, intent on my walk.  I had not walked too far before I ran back to the house for my camera. The full moon this morning was stunning, beautiful, gorgeous.

And he followed me on my walk, lighting the way.

All the Colors

In a serendipitous moment, I walked out to the mailbox just as the sun cast its last rays on my flower garden.  I didn't get to the street -- I saw the flowers and raced back into the house for my camera.

I am embarrassed to confess that I thought this spiky bush was a weed.  I've been bothered by it for weeks.  Ben asked me to be patient.  It was patience or find my gardening gloves.  I didn't choose anything, actually.  I just didn't get around to pulling it up.  Let's say a good word for procrastination.

My camera has been in the shop since last month.  I picked it up yesterday and this flower begged to have her picture taken.

I did not do a very good job with my garden this year.  It's been kind of scraggly.

Tonight I was inspired to do better.

Snow!

Rain fell all night long and much of today.  As a result, my favorite mountain has snow!

When the Sun Comes Over the Mountain

Yesterday as Ben and I left for a late afternoon walk, I actually said, "When the sun comes over the mountain," I need to get out my camera.

It isn't hard to miss the sun in the mornings.

For a half hour, things get pretty intense in my kitchen.

Intense was not found outside.

All was peaceful and zen-like.

I love mornings.

New Bird at the Feeder

My husband spied a new bird at the feeder earlier this week.

My camera finally caught him.  Meet Mr. Western Tanager.

After Some Rain

Ben and I walked around the block this afternoon.  Sometimes after a lot of rain we see mushrooms.

We've had a lot of rain.

Purple Flower

Ben picked up the planters from the greenhouse a little early.  I spied this beautiful blossom this afternoon.

Bright Red Leaves on a Spring Day

Apparently there is a reason the red maple tree has its name.

Red Maple Leaves

The sun made an appearance after a sudden burst of rain this afternoon.  Glistening raindrops filled the entire tree.  This is a case of what my eyes were seeing was spectacular, but the camera couldn't catch it.  

Sometimes, I have to step back and look at what my camera is seeing, which was bright, new foliage on our red maple tree.

Spring!

I've been waiting for spring to come.

Top of the World

This is a tiny house finch perched on top of a 30-foot pine tree in my yard.  His song was loud and clear, but I had to scour the trees to find him.  After a few verses, he flew off.

Then my camera spied this wasp nest in a neighbor's tree.  I knocked on the door and told him we had a problem.  I offered to begin collecting rocks.  In the end, I gave him a can of wasp spray.

Mr. Finch reappeared, same song, more verses.

A Lucky Glance Up

I happened to look up from my book and saw the sun setting.  As I pulled the memory stick from the camera, the sun set and these stunning colors disappeared.

Sparkles

Sometimes very cold is beautiful,

The Day After

Heavy, wet snow fell yesterday.

Today is beautiful.

Lunar Eclipse

Last night my husband stayed up late to watch the lunar eclipse.  Fortunately, he spied my camera on the kitchen counter.