Smile It's Friday

 

Hot as Hades ... Cool in the Shadies

Feline Friday

Feline Friday #62
Link to Feline Friday

Take A Word

Take a Word Challenge - Time
Link to Take a Word

The eye, the beach and the clock are public domain. The rest are from my photo's and textures.

Wild Bird Wednesday

Wild Bird Wednesday # 59
Link to Wild Bird Wednesday
 

 

This is the beautiful and majestic Male Trumpeter Swan

 

 

 

 

 

 

He is going out to join his mate ...

 

and their two cygnets ...

 

 

The Trumpeter Swan was once endangered, but has fortunately  made a comeback.  In Wisconsin, however, they are being pushed out by the more aggressive Mute Swan.  The response by the Wisconsin DNR has been to go around the state and shoot the Mute Swans.  There are many things that are out of control in Wisconsin and the DNR is one of them.  Do you know what your DNR is doing in your state?  You might want to check into it ... and then let your voices be heard if you don't agree.

 

 

 

Mandarin Orange Monday

Mandarin Orange # 56

Link to Mandarin Orange Monday

Evolve ... to develop gradually by a process of growth and change. 

Feline Friday

Feline Friday # 61
Link to Feline Friday

As we are celebrating my hubby's Birthday today, I am very busy with last minute preparations, so I am cheating a little by using one picture for two memes.  Hope you don't mind :)
Have a fun day !

The Three Muses Challenge

The Three Muses Challenge - Steampunk

Link to the Three Muses2013/08/the-three-muses-challenge-steampunk.html

I was excited to see the Three Muses Callenge as I really like the Steampunk look ... little did I know how hard it is to achieve.  I am not really satisfied with this, but it's a start ...

Sources: Google images and my own photos

Wild Bird Wednesday

Wild Bird Wednesday #58
Link to Wild Bird Wednesday

 

Last Friday I went to Bong Wildlife Preserve with my friend and as we started through we both commented about how little there was to see ... but, we were wrong.  We saw a lot before it was over, starting with these adorable fledgling Tree Swallows ...

I know, they look like adults, but how do I know they are fledglings?

Because they were food begging ... this little guy, in particular, was very demanding ...

And Mom was trying very hard to please ...

The sibling fledgies were more interested in testing their new found freedoms ...

But, the littlest guy was hell bent on being catered to ...

He was actually throwing a good old fashion, foot stomping tantrum ...

 

Mom, in all of her wisdom, ignored the tantrum

 

Fed a sibling ...  

 

and left ... Motherhood is a wonderful thing :) 

(I am sure she came back to feed him ... mothers always do :) 

Take A Word

Take a Word Challenge -- Warm Colors
Link to Take A Word Challenge

     Color Swatches from: Color Lovers Craft Blog.  People from Public Domain.

Mandarin Orange Monday

Link to Mandarin Orange Monday

 

Last week I went to Lurie Gardens once again for a Raptor Program.  I snapped some pictures on the way in, while I was there and on the way out. As promised (Jeanne) here they are in a different format ...

    Urban Contrasts ...

                            Night Lights ...

                                     And, of course, The Bean ...

                          Enjoy!

Smile It's Friday

Link to Smile It's Friday

Ands, if you believes this ... I gots a Doggie Bridge to sells you :)

Feline Friday

Feline Friday #60
Link to Feline Friday

Wild Bird Wednesday

 Link to Wild Bird Wednesday
 

Wild Bird Wednesday #57

 

Today I am off to Millennium Park again for another Raptor Program.  As that is an all day endeavor, I needed to get my ducks in a row ...

So I put together a quick post for WBW and, though it is short ... I love my duck family :)  Isn't camouflage a wonderful thing?  Look how they blend with the wood pieces ...  Have a wonderful day folks!