Infrequent

Infrequent...

That's how regularly I've added photos.  So, because Donna asked...

Extremes

I know beauty is in the eye of the beholder...

It would be easy to say the Goldfinch is the more beautiful, but isn't the Toad beautiful in it's own earthy way?

Blue

It has been too long since I posted any macros!

Ventured out to try to take some close-ups of trilliums.  Didn't work - too much wind.  While getting mauled by mosquitos I snapped a couple macro shots of these tiny blue flowers that were blanketing one small spot of the cottage yard.  They really are small - maybe a centemetre across.  At the time I didn't even notice the fuzzy little things under the blossoms.  And, as it turns out that is what is most in focus in the second shot.  

Yet another example of what can be discovered while trying to focus on something else:

ser·en·dip·i·tous

ˌserənˈdipədəs/

adjective

1. occurring or discovered by chance in a happy or beneficial way.

   
   

   "a serendipitous encounter"

Abandoned

At the cottage we have a screened in porch.  It has a fabric roof that we put on in the spring (and take off in the fall).  A couple days after we put the roof on we discovered this nest tucked up in a corner.  We carefully moved the nest to a sheltered area outside the porch.  This has happened before and sadly that mother bird abandoned the nest.

While we were out and about on the water we 'happened' upon this nesting loon.  In 18 years at the cottage this is the first time we have seen this.  I was quite surprised that the momma loon choose this spot as it is not secluded and is in an area with many passing boats.  The next day we went to see the loon again (keeping a safe distance).  She wasn't there.  We did see a loon in the general area fishing and hope that was the momma fetching breakfast for herself.

It was sad to think about these two momma birds abandoning their own.  As a parent I can't image doing that - physically, emotionally or in any way.  We can hope that these were not abandoned.

Solitude

We were at the cottage to 'close it up'.  We got up Saturday morning to snow (more slush than snow...).  Made for soggy work doing stuff outdoors.

My daughter went down to look at the lake.  It was quite the contrast - her dark coloured clothes against the white and grey of ground, water, leafless trees and sky.

It was a day of striking stillness and quietness.  No birds sang, people were indoors keeping warm and dry and the slushy snow seemed to absorb all sound.  It was so very, very quiet.

Times like this are rare:  Time to be still and quiet and alone.  Time to listen and reflect.  

We need times like this.

Whatzat(3)

Are you stumped yet?

MC (middle child) and I were out for a canoe (quite a rare event as MC is more into motor-driven watercraft) and he spotted something in the water.  I couldn't see it.  We paddled back and eventually found it again.  I think the only reason we saw it was because the sun was at just the right angle.

It was a log in the water - appearing to be perfectly vertical and right below the surface.  MC stuck his paddle in the water and had to put if right down under the water to touch it.  This meant it was about five feet below the surface.

We tried to take pictures of it, but that was tricky because the canoe is never perfectly still and, as mentioned, the sun had to be hitting this log just so.  The picture above was taken by sticking the camera right in the water and hoping for the best.

This was yet another example of the happy discoveries that can happen when you are WITH someone.

By the way - did you catch the pun in the first line?

Raft

A bunch of loons in one place is called "A Raft of Loons."  I didn't know that - I had to look it up (Nifty web site that lists what groups of animals are called)

It's rare to see loons congregate like this.  As I happened upon this scene, there was a family on shore taking in the site.  When there is an unusual gathering - others notice.  Often these unusual gatherings are of an unpleasant nature (riots, etc).    

I belong to a church - it would be great if when the Church gathers it get's noticed - but for all the right reasons.