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Sunday, June 07, 2009

Nature Notes and Weekend Snapshot: Heading into Summer with a Splash

The first shot is the only one which wasn't taken this week or weekend but I've been meaning to use it for a post and it's a fairly recent shot.
It cracked me up because the bird looked like it was floating on its back or maybe doing a birdie version of a backstroke.
I love the way my subdivision is canopied in green this time of year. I also like bare trees against the sky in the winter but the shade is great in the summer. The shot above was taken this week in the subdivision where I live. The shot below was taken this week at Duke University and the sea of green is also apparent there. At first I was pleased that I was able to take a bunch of photographs of the cardinal below and then I started worrying about him because he wasn't moving at all. I ended up walking onto my deck to make sure he was ok and he flew off so I was relieved that he didn't seem injured. There are so many flowers starting to bloom that each day I check to see if any new ones are adding their splash of color to my garden.
We are continuing to have rain at least a few days a week which is keeping everything fresh as the heat sets in.I was please to see the first morning glories of the season blooming. I do so love them.
Only a few of the purple cone flower are blooming but there are lots of buds holding the promise of more to come.
I took the last shot outside my dermatologist's office building. I always enjoy seeing the planters filled with colorful plants in the summer which many offices have.
Please visit Nature Notes Home and Weekend Snapshot Home for more participants.

39 comments:

RJ Flamingo said...

You're right! He does look like he's doing the birdie backstroke! LOL! I really love that shot of the unopened morning glory - like a bright jewel...

And FYI? I love the mockingbirds, too - I just wish they'd shut up from time to time! :-)

Thanks for dropping by this morning!

Anya said...

Lovely rainy shots LOL
Its also raining here,
poor flowers :(
But your picters are very nice :)
I like the BIRD :)

walk2write said...

I thought I would stop by for a visit to another Nature Notes participant. So far, I've only posted once for the meme, and I haven't been very good about visiting the other participants. I enjoy seeing what's happening outside where you live, and that shot of the morning glory is simply amazing. It looks like it's glowing from within.

Leora said...

Great flower shots. And the birdie backstroke is adorable. I'd like to dive into a pool, myself.

My rudbeckia are just beginning to look like they might have flowers eventually. And my coneflowers are green stalks in the backyard.

Meikah said...

You have a cool neighborhood! :)

Unknown said...

I love the first picture.It is too cute!Your neighborhood is so pretty,and green.

Anonymous said...

Carver, really! You should take part in Today Flowers as well :)

MyMaracas said...

That blue morning glory is ... well, glorious! Beautiful photos, and I love the enthusiastically bathing bird. Nice entry!

Dee said...

Yay! There's my favorite "beam-me-up-scotty" flower in there (you know, the morning glory). I just love that. It seems that you could be zipped into another dimension if you could just get there into the middle of that flower! ; )

maryt/theteach said...

The morning glory looks like it's glowing from within! :)

eastcoastlife said...

I imagine your garden looking very colourful and pretty. :)
Have a lovely week ahead!

♥♥ Willa ♥♥ said...

i hope the red bird is ok now, so he can join in the fun of the other bird who enjoy the splash! :D
WeekendSnapshot

Indrani said...

Cool shot of the bird having its bath. :)
Lovely flowers, yours must be a very beautiful garden.

Ascender Rises Above said...

marvelous photos. don't you just want to stick that fluffy red bird into your pocket?

Unknown said...

All very nice pictures. The blue morning glory shot is really striking!

Rambling Woods said...

I love watching birds in a bird bath. Then they bring their babies in and they are even more amusing. I love the flower shots..I am working on that with my camera. Because of you, I don't leave the house without sunscreen....
Michelle From Rambling Woods

Kero said...

Happy Sunday Carver! The purple cone is lovely! and i really like the last photo too. Have a great week ahead! my Ws entry is here http://kcelebration.blogspot.com/search/label/weekend%20snapshot

Cezar and Léia said...

Dear Carver!
I felt in love for this wonderful blue flower! Wow stunning!
Adorable pictures!
Thanks for sharing and have a nice week in this lovely place that you live !
God bless you
Léia

Carletta said...

Such beautiful images Carver!
I love the cool feeling the green canopies of the tree give. You just want to hang out in the shade.
The cardinal's feathers look a bit roughed up.
The morning glory shot is quite beautiful!

Tammie Lee said...

lovely photos
the birds are so much fun
and
the light in the morning glory
simply wow!

Anonymous said...

I agree - that cardinal looks like it is having a heartburn :)
At first I thought it was a hippo in the water - then I realized it wouldn't fit in that :)
Very sunny pictures!

Ebie said...

Hehe, very funny about the birdie doing a back stroke. Lovely macros!

Hazel said...

The cardinal must have enjoyed posing for your camera :) Great great entries. Your pictures amaze me no end. Have a nice week.

Marites said...

beautiful pics you got there but the 1st pic really had me laughing. Seems he's enjoying the swim so much:D I also love the green canopied street.

Dora said...

Birdie? Initially i thought it is a doggie's head...
Lovely flowers!

Bette said...

the birdie backstroke is so cute and the blue flower is so captivating!

SASSY MOM said...

What a backstroke. I love your shots especially the mockingbird.
Hope you can visit my WS.

♥peachkins♥ said...

Here it's the start of the rainy season so it's really wet.I love your photos..

DeLi said...

once again, a lovely walk for me...

all4seasons said...

love the second photo, love those trees!! :)

Arlene said...

Hi Carver, you have a great surroundings. The flowers are so beautiful. I am familiar with the cone flower -- i have that one here.

I guess the bird is so happy to see water so it decided to have a swim. hehehe

The Explorer said...

I agree with the beauty of the green trees, even myself fascinates with this kind of scenery.

Las Islas Filipinas World

Ayie said...

beautiful nature...i love that red chested birdand all the lined up trees. So nice to live in a place not too polluted!

Anonymous said...

i think that is one talented bird. those flowers are lovely by the way. full of life!

Heart of Rachel said...

You've captured that bird in a funny position. I love how those tall trees provide a lovely shade to your subdivision. Glad the cardinal is fine. I love the flowers.

Yolanda said...

That morning glory is to die for and I loved the bird shots too.

MaR said...

What fab flower pictures, Carver, and I have never seen a birdie doing a backstroke, how wonderful!! In fact, I didn't know they could do something like that!

Smalltown RN said...

Oh I just love your flower shots...simply amazing....my roses are blooming and I was thinking I should get some shots of them....

I would love to live on a street drenched with trees like that...simply lovely...

SandyCarlson said...

These are great. Is the cardinal molting? I love the back-stroking bird in the bath, too.