The Owls of Gulf State Park, Alabama

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There is a very nice nature center here at Gulf State Park, Gulf Shores, Alabama.  They have these two owls out back on the deck in a very large cage.  We need to go back and learn more about them, I have a feeling they may have been injured and are kept here as they cannot be allowed to live in the wild.

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Sanderling, a Tentative Identification

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Believe this is the sanderling.  I was rather pleased with this photo, these small (about 8 inches tall) beach loving birds are always on the move.  My copy of the National Geographic Society "Field Guide to the Birds of North America" describes the sanderling, as a sandpiper, that "feeds on sandy beaches, sprinting just out of surf's reach to snatch up mollusks and crustaceans exposed by the retreating waves."  I'll say they sprint!  LOL

*This photo was not cropped, it was re-sized, but, not cropped.  Yep, I got rather close, and the Sony's zoom got me closer still.

Sea Oats

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Beautiful in Black and White, Updated

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Have no idea what this bird is, we saw them several times while in Utah. They are simply stunning when seen flying. Now identified by Lynne as a black-billed magpie. Thanks Lynne.

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Its Thanksgiving?? Ooo, I Gotta Take a Quick Bath

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*Photos taken November 23, 2011 at Gulf Shores, Alabama.
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Surf's Up, Mother Nature is Brooding Up A Storm

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* Not flora or fauna??  I mean, really, just WHAT are you looking at??? What do you mean those surfer dudes are not fauna?  Geesh, I was showing off the seagrass flora.

Two Babies, Llamas or Alpacas, That is the Question

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These two baby llama or alcapas live near Shephedsville Kentucky, they were about 4 feet tall from their hoofs to the tops of their heads.

Thanks to friend Ron for asking, which are they??  I believe they are Alpacas, but, even looking at the Wikipedia articles on them both I am confused.

Alcapas, here and Llamas here.

I was leaning towards identifying these little dolls based on face structure and size until I read  this information on the Wikipedia page on llamas.  "The llama and alpaca are only known in the domestic state, and are variable in size and of many colors, being often white, brown, or piebald. Some are grey or black."

Here is another photo, including an adult, the quality is marginal.

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The Pumpkin Patch

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*Gotta say a couple of those pumpkins look like they had something strong to drink, eh??  A little tipsy there fellas, just sayin'
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Sedum

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From the archives.

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Yorkie Ewok

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Its a ewok, oh, no, its a yorkie.  When Cappy gets wet outside he gets wrapped up, swaddling style, till he dries.  The pink tongue thingy is for awwwww effect.  Does it quite well, doesn't he??




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Double Sun Rise

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What appears to be a double sun rise is in reality the sun and it's reflection in the swamp behind our home.  That swamp is home to snapping turtles, mallard ducks, peepers galore and several "gangs" of geese.




*As frequently happens when I write a post, I wonder, what is the correct term for a bunch of geese, so, I googled the term, and over at Wikipedia I found this information:

The collective noun for group of geese on the ground is a gaggle; when in flight, they are called a skein, a team or a wedge; when flying close together, they are called a plump.

Nice, but, mmmm, what are they called when they are IN the water???  Visited several web sites, and never found the answer to the specific question "what are they called in the water".  Did find a reference to "flock" tho.  So, I am going with flock.  We have several flocks in our swamp, they sing and honk in the early morning, Mother Nature's children singing a strange kind of music.  Lucky for us, that swamp is far enough away that the honking is not real loud, until a fight breaks out - -

Not sure how I got from a double sunrise to a gaggle/flock/plump/wedge of geese, but, LOL, I did!  And, I learned something along the way.

Good morning all, may you have a wonderful day.

Thank You to Those That Served

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Artie Orchid

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Well, I believe it is an orchid.  No matter, it is purple and it is pretty.  That is all it needs to be a success.  Photo was edited with "Watercolor" filter.

*Friend Barb asked in her comment: Was this an indoor plant, and how did the "watercolor" filter change the photo?

Decided to respond here, so, Barb, yes, indoor, inside a greenhouse.  And, here is the photo without the watercolor filter.  Easiest seen changes are in the middle of the flower.

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Greenhouse Visitor, Lots of My Favs

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Recently Man and I visited Holland.   NO, not The Netherlands.   Holland Michigan.   While there we visited the Windmill Island Gardens.  It was the last day they were open for the year, the crowds were sparse, the weather favorable, the visit pleasant.  While we were wandering around in the greenhouse, cousin Marilyn called, Man took the Sony and shot a few photos, including this one of Moi, in my 7th heaven.  Greenhouse (love of flora and fauna), techy stuff (cell phone), family history (Marilyn and our discussion) and travels with Big Butt and Tana (we were staying in a local campground).  Ya, lots of my favs!

*OH, and wearing my fav color, purple! LOL
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Contemplating Life In The Garden

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Fall Fungi, Big 'Uns

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Size is deceiving in these photos.  This collection of fungi was about 5 inches tall and maybe 8 to 12 inches total diameter.  Large enough that I could see them growing from clean across the yard.



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Barrels of Apples at The Orchard

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Harvest Time

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Gone South For The Winter

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A Gourd And It's Tulips

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Well, tulip tree leaves - -

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