bird's nests?

A wall hanging over the dining seating at the NC Museum of Art.  It looks like swirling bird nests to me, but who knows.

Lizard

This guy was sunning himself on the side of our house.  I think he might live in the crack next to him.   I hope he eats a lot of bugs.  

State Capitol through Brewgaloo

The state capitol looked on as the vendors got ready for Brewgaloo, a huge beer fest.

Last signs

These signs were just too good not to publish.  

Alternative Cat

Seen at the Science March here in Raleigh.

Beaker is the star!

What more can I say?

A few good signs

 A few more signs. Only a math geek would get the imaginary number reference.

Yay Science!

Yesterday, Earth Day, was the Science March.  It started at 10am and at 11:30 the marchers were still coming into Moore Square.  A lot of great signs.

Pansies

Pansies will grow well almost everywhere.  I thought these were  cool flower pots.  Found at the Walnut Creek Wetlands Park.

Elf house?

It was probably just a discarded bird house, but it made me think of the elves or fairies that probably come out in the forest when everyone else goes home.

Found in the woods at the Wilkerson Nature Preserve.

Lazy day turtles

Turtles are the greatest animals to photograph.  They look cool in the water, and they don't move too fast.  These guys were sunning themselves in the farm pond at the Wilkerson Nature Preserve.

Old Pump

It might look like fun, but not if that's how you have to get all of your water.  This was the way Annie Louise Wilkerson got her water for many years at her farm.  

Turtle crossing

Road sign in the Annie Louise Wilkerson Nature Preserve.  They aren't kidding, you can always find turtles in the park.  Here are two playing follow the leader in the farm pond.

Annie Louise Wilkerson Nature Preserve

The education center at the Dr. Annie Louise Wilkerson Nature Preserve.  Dr. Wilkerson was a pioneering physician in Raleigh.  She had a 53 year areer in medicine, and delivered over 8,000 babies in Wake County.  This farm was her sanctuary and weekend home.  When she passed away she willed the farm to the City of Raleigh to be used as a Nature preserve.  Her home was made into the education center.  Below is a picture of her home as it was when she lived there.  

Happy Easter (and Happy Birthday, Craig!)

One of the 70 stained glass windows at the St Paul AME church in downtown Raleigh.  They are restoring the historic windows one by one.  

Plantation church

This little church was built on a plantation outside of Raleigh.  It was moved to the Mordecai Historical Park.  It was built by slaves and used by the entire population of the plantation.  Both the owners and their slaves worshiped together, however the slaves had to stand in the balcony while the owners had pews on the main level.  I like it's simplicity.

Red buds

The Red buds are finishing up their flowers.  It seems that each spring flowering plant takes it's turn and then fades while another takes over.  Who's next?

Garden sculpture #2

I've walked past this guy almost every day and not noticed him before.  He must have been uncovered in spring garden clean up.

Root and STEM

STEM programs (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math) are very much the rage now in education, although the latest are being called STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, Math) 

I subbed for 3 months in a high school program that was fantastic.  The students were learning college level programming, digital electronics and Engineering technology.  I'm not sure how that translates into elementary school, but I couldn't resist this sign. 

 Root elementary school is a STEM magnet.

Birthplace of Andrew Johnson

This building has been moved to the Morticai Historic Park.  It was a kitchen out building, the bottom floor is a big room with an enormous fireplace to cook for a big house.  Andrew Johnson, 17th president of the United States was born above the kitchen.  The family lived in the one room above, probably because his mother worked in the kitchen below.  It might have been nice in the winter, but the summer heat must have been brutal.

Weeping Winged Elm

Weeping Winged Elm

When you visit the Arboretum in the winter you see things you can't see when there are leaves and flowers growing.  This twisted tree is not like any Elm I've ever seen.

Off the Grid

Here is a blender for those of you who are off the grid.  No electricity needed.  She probably worked off the calories of the smoothie before it was even finished.

Proud Americans

Yesterday I had the privilege to be a part of a swearing in ceremony for  new citizens.  As a member of the League of Women Voters I helped the new citizens register to vote after the ceremony. There were over 60 people from 32 different countries. The ceremony was very moving.  With all that is going on in this country now, it made me feel pride and hope for our country.  There are still people who believe in the American Dream.

Delicate

Reminds me of airplane propellers, or flowers.  I liked the shadow that it cast on the floor.

Inside looking Out

This is the view looking out the front doors of the Visitor Center at the Morticai Historic Park.  The visitor center is a mansion built in the 1920's.  It  is much more elaborate and fancy than the actual historic Morticai house.  

My Favorite bird house

This one is my favorite from the bird house competition at the Arboretum's Spring Festival.   It was in the 4-6 year old catagory with this written description...

More bird houses

These were other entries in the bird house contest at the JC Raulston Arboretum.  

Mid-Century Modern?  Looks a little like the Charles Eames house.

Mahogany, for the bird with high class taste.

For the bird on the go...

Dogwoods

Dogwoods in bloom!

For the birds?

The Arboretum had a bird house competition during their spring festival.  Some of the bird houses looked usable, and some not so much.  Either way they were fun to look at.  Above is one called "Carolina Keys" 

What is more Carolinian than a light house?

This one has the pattern of the Cape Lookout Lighthouse.

Wet

I caught these holly berries after a rain.   They were still wet in the sun.