Day 29: Paper Wasps

This nest is attached to a little shed that we keep on the side of the house. Last week it was on the other door and was only discovered when Harry got stung. I had to sneak out at night while all the little waspys were sleeping and knock down their home. Ever determined, they just picked up where they left off, but on the opposite door. I've opened it all up and have been gently taking everything out with the goal of dismantling the shed for the season. I find that I can't knock the nest down; for one, I'm the never-hurt-a-fly type, and honestly, the wasps haven't done anything wrong. They've just as much a right to live here as we do. Secondly, I find them fascinating - that's an understatement.

I go out there everyday with the excuse that I'm checking things out, seeing about a humane method to getting rid of the nest. I just end up watching them up-close for a time, getting the camera and getting in close to take some photos. I can't get close enough with my macro lens cuz about a foot and a half away from them, they start to all look up at me with a mean glare. I've tried the telephoto lens but it can't focus that close. This photo is the best I can do. I love it though; my favorite is the guy on the top left looking right at me, daring me to get closer.

Day 19: Devil's Paintbrush

I took a series of pictures of Jacob picking these flowers for me just before I mowed. It was hard to pick my favorite because they were all so natural and peaceful looking. I took this at the same time I shot the mushroom. The lawn hadn't been mowed yet this year and all sorts of beautiful things had taken over. I hated to mow it all down so I asked Jacob if he'd pick some flowers for me and he was all over that (just as I knew he would be).

The 'flowers' he's picking, I'm told by wikipedia, are considered 'noxious weeds' in several parts of Canada, the US and Australia. They have always been one of my very favorites, I just think they're so beautiful mixed in with all the wild grasses. For most of my life I actually thought they were called Indian Paintbrush and it wasn't until I was taking a plant biology class in college that I learned they're not. I still think of them as Indian Paintbrush in my head though because that sounds better to me. Also, I've also just learned from Wikipedia that it shares its name with a type of machine gun, and there's the whole invasive species aspect too. So Indian Paintbrush it is.

Day 18: Mushroom

This little guy was on the lawn at Camp and I just had to take a picture of him before mowing the lawn. I have a thing for mushrooms, they're just so cool looking.

Day 13: Light Tubes

I loved these tubes, or whatever you call them. I really enjoyed taking pictures of them. I did play around with this one a little to enhance the colors. I'd definitely like to have one, or several, of these in my house. Kinda like a giant lava lamp.

Day 5: Slimy Little Thing

This little guy showed up last month when I was cleaning out the pond one day. He left a slimy mark all across the rocks and took his sweet time getting to his destination, allowing me to snap several pictures. I love that he's got stuff stuck all over him, and the goldish lines all under the skin (if that's what you all it) on his back are fascinating.

Happy Earth Day To Me!

If you eat Stonyfield Farms yogurt, you know about the rewards program they've been doing for several months now. Each product has a code on it, worth a certain amount of points (based on the cost of the product) and you enter the codes into your account on their website. There are a variety of products up for grabs, to be purchased with 'points' you've accumulated. I love this program. I love getting free stuff! It took me a while, but I saved up 200 points and put in my order for the tumblers made from recycled/reclaimed wine bottles. They have an 'Earth Day' design and are green and lovely!

They came in the mail today, Earth Day, what perfect timing! I am super excited about the glasses, and to celebrate/Christen them, as my first act of owner to these cool glasses, I am using one of them to hold my vodka tonic.