Heron goes fishing

This heron was fishing from a rock,

successfully,

He finished up,

And flew into a tree to digest.

Summertime

Summertime and the livin' is easy...

Sunny Day Surfing

Breezy day on Falls Lake

Brown headed Cow bird

Brown headed Cowbirds are not a welcome sight.  They are parasitic birds who lay their eggs in other bird's nests.  Cowbird eggs hatch faster and give the cowbird a headstart on the other eggs. They will push the other eggs out of the nest and take food from the real babies.  Nature is not always sweet and cuddly.  (see here for more.)

Mr. Woodpecker helps out

Mrs. Woodpecker has been out of sight lately, but Mr. Woodpecker has been loudly called and then going into his hole.  I think he's announcing "Honey, I'm home!"

Green again

The anoles feel safe in the holly bush.  Nothing would want to attack in all the spiny leaves.  He still wanted to scare us away with is dewlap though.

He seems very curious about us, and watched us closely.

Hydrangea season

The hydrangeas are just tingeing blue. 

Sneaky

Our bird feeder has been under attack.  My husband has been trying to out-clever a clever racoon, with not much luck.  First he lengthened the support.  That lasted a few months.  Then he added long nails sticking out of the support.  That worked for a while too.

Then he added a plexiglass disk.

Now he has a camera and infrared light to see how his nemesis is getting to the feeder.

Turns out, it's really impossible to out-trick the trickster.

He'll figure out a way around anything.

The final ploy?  Put hot sauce on the seeds.  One taste and the racoon ran away.  He hasn't been seen since.

Mr. Anole turns color

He was green as he climbed out of the bushes, and was turning red on the bricks.  

More Macro

A little bug visits a chive flower.

Macro

Georgia O'Keefe was right.  Up close, flowers are sexy.

I was playing with the Macro setting on my camera.

The impatiens were a good study.

Mr. Woodpecker is still busy

I'm not sure what he's up to, his hole is finished, he's found is girl, but he's very busy doing things and making a lot of noise.

Little what?

It looks like a dragonfly, but it flew like a butterfly, and folded its wings like one too.  
Well, it's neither.  It is an Ebony Damselfly!  (see here)

Wetland at Brookhaven

The walkway out to the wetlands, Brookhaven Nature Park.

We didn't spot any wildlife, except of course mosquitos.

Brookhaven Nature Park

Brookhaven Nature Park is nestled in a 1960's housing development.  It is in an area of gullies and drainage that probably was not buildable.  So this little park exists.

It has several trails, with many little bridges over the gullies,

a walkway to view a small wetland,

courtesy of the Junior Women's Club.

The political signs are coming out early

The first political sign for the 2020 election.

Toad

This little toad was hopping along on the forest floor.

Dragons

The dragonflies were busy flying around in the hot afternoon.

This one looked tired.

So many different kinds.

Summer Lake

We've transitioned from spring to summer already.

Happy Mother's Day

The raspberries are blooming.

Googly eyes

There's a new sign at the Durant Nature Park explaining fishing regulations.  Someone added a few googly eyes on the fish.  

Very lifelike!?

Hmmm

We found this skull in a children's outdoor play area.  I don't think the animal wandered in, and it's hard to imagine someone bringing it in for children to play with...

Wink wink

Someone loves their car!

Snowbells

The snowbell tree is covered with blossoms right now.  The fragrance is nearly overpowering.

Blue sky with trails

It looked like sky writing, but not quite. 

Elvis in the house

Elvis sits in front of Yanna's restaurant in Swansboro.  Lunch at Yanna's might mean a long wait during the summer months, but the food and atmosphere are worth it.  (see here)

Sanitary Fish Market and Restaurant

The Sanitary Fish Market and restaurant is a landmark in Morehead City.  It has a long history (see here).  But do you have to advertise the cleanliness of your establishment in the name?

Is everything really better with bacon???

Found in a candy shop, Swansboro NC.

I'm not tempted to try PB&J or sweet corn soda.