Holy Smokes Batman!

American Robin

F/6.3, 1/320, ISO 400.

American Robin

Day 96 / 365

Where do birds invest their money?
In the stork market!

Interesting Fact: Although robins are considered harbingers of spring, many American Robins spend the whole winter in their breeding range. But because they spend more time roosting in trees and less time in your yard, you’re much less likely to see them. The number of robins present in the northern parts of the range varies each year with the local conditions. ( http://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/American_Robin/lifehistory )

Finally First Sight Of Spring

Crocus

F/6.0, 1/250, ISO 1600.

Day 95 / 365

Happy Easter Everyone!

Can February March?
No, but April May!

Interesting Fact: Certain species of crocus, such as Crocus Autumnale are poisonous. Besides being dangerous (if consumed), this type of crocus shows the greatest tolerance toward low temperatures. ( http://www.softschools.com/facts/plants/crocus_facts/502/ )

Search For The Easter Bunny

Groundhog

F/6.3, 1/400, ISO 1600.

Groundhog

Day 94 /365

On my search for the Easter Bunny,  I came across Mr. Groundhog who just recently came out of hibernation. While stuffing his face, he pointed me in the right direction.

Interesting Fact: Groundhogs are skilled climbers and swimmers, which helps them to escape less-skilled predators. ( http://www.havahart.com/groundhog-facts )

bunny

F/6.3, 1/500, ISO 1000.

Cottontail Rabbit

Finally, I found him.  He was eating to get his strength up for Easter Sunday tomorrow.

Interesting Fact: Cottontail rabbits are almost completely mute animals. They communicate with each other by thumping with their back feet against the ground. ( http://animals.pawnation.com/cottontail-rabbits-1901.html )

 

Parakeets Guard Post!

Monk Parakeets

F/6.3, 1/125, ISO 1600.

Monk Parakeets

Black and White  Day 5 of 5

Day 93 / 365

” I will watch this side, you take the other side and no one will slip by us “.

Interesting Fact: Its large, communal nests of sticks are easily identifiable and are often built on support poles of electrical lines. ( http://identify.whatbird.com/obj/932/overview/Monk_Parakeet.aspx )

I was challenged by Cynthia at http://cynthiamvoss.wordpress.com/  to take up the Black and White 5-Day Challenge.  Part of the fun is to nominate another blogger, one on each day.

Today, I nominate Susan  of http://suejudd.com/ Susan, if you accept, the goal is to post one B&W photo each day for five days, and to nominate a fellow blogger each day to join in.

There is no pressure to accept this challenge. It’s just for fun!    🙂

Nite Nite Sleep Tight

Mallard

F/6.3, 1/320, ISO 1600.

Mallard Ducks

Black and White  Day 4 of 5

Day 92 / 365

What time does a duck wake up?

At the quack of dawn!

Interesting Fact: Ducks are strong fliers; migrating flocks of Mallards have been estimated traveling at 55 miles per hour.  ( http://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Mallard/lifehistory )

I was challenged by Cynthia at http://cynthiamvoss.wordpress.com/  to take up the Black and White 5-Day Challenge.  Part of the fun is to nominate another blogger, one on each day.

Today, I nominate Alix  of https://alixbleus.wordpress.com/ Alix, if you accept, the goal is to post one B&W photo each day for five days, and to nominate a fellow blogger each day to join in.

There is no pressure to accept this challenge. It’s just for fun!    🙂

 

April Fools!

Moka pot

F/5.0, 1/60, ISO 100.

Black and White  Day 3 of 5

Day 91 / 365

I didn’t have coffee today. I wonder why?!       🙂

Interesting Fact: The earliest recorded association between 1 April and foolishness can be found in Geoffrey Chaucer‘s The Canterbury Tales (1392). Some writers suggest that the restoration of 1 January as New Year’s Day in the 16th century was responsible for the creation of the holiday, but this theory does not explain earlier references.( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/April_Fools’_Day )

I was challenged by Cynthia at http://cynthiamvoss.wordpress.com/  to take up the Black and White 5-Day Challenge.  Part of the fun is to nominate another blogger, one on each day.

Today, I nominate Monika of https://yougetthepic.wordpress.com/ Monika, if you accept, the goal is to post one B&W photo each day for five days, and to nominate a fellow blogger each day to join in.

There is no pressure to accept this challenge. It’s just for fun!    🙂

 

 

Backyard Bully!

House Sparrow

F/6.3, 1/320, ISO 1600.

House Sparrow

Black and White  Day 2 of 5

Day 90 / 365

This little guy was bullying all the other birds today. So small yet so feisty.

Interesting Fact: The House Sparrow takes frequent dust baths. It throws soil and dust over its body feathers, just as if it were bathing with water. In doing so, a sparrow may make a small depression in the ground, and sometimes defends this spot against other sparrows. ( http://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/House_Sparrow/lifehistory )

I was challenged by Cynthia at http://cynthiamvoss.wordpress.com/  to take up the Black and White 5-Day Challenge.  Part of the fun is to nominate another blogger, one on each day.

Today, I nominate Maggie of https://magscorner.wordpress.com/ Maggie, if you accept, the goal is to post one B&W photo each day for five days, and to nominate a fellow blogger each day to join in.

There is no pressure to accept this challenge. It’s just for fun!    🙂

Game On!

ping pong

F/4.5, 1/60, ISO 560, Photoshop CS6.

Black and White  Day 1 of 5

Day 89 / 365

“I played ping-pong even when I didn’t have anyone to play ping-pong with. I played ping-pong so much, I even played it in my sleep. ” Forrest Gump (1994)

Interesting Fact: Ping Pong originated in England during the 19th century, where it was played among the upper-class as an after-dinner parlour game.[4][5] It has been suggested that the game was first developed by British military officers in India or South Africa who brought it back with them.[6] A row of books was stood up along the center of the table as a net, two more books served as rackets and were used to continuously hit a golf-ball. ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Table_tennis#History )

I was challenged by Cynthia at http://cynthiamvoss.wordpress.com/  to take up the Black and White 5-Day Challenge.  Part of the fun is to nominate another blogger, one on each day.

Today, I nominate Kirsten of http://kirstenaufhammer.com/ Kirsten, if you accept, the goal is to post one B&W photo each day for five days, and to nominate a fellow blogger each day to join in.

There is no pressure to accept this challenge. It’s just for fun!    🙂

I Am Ready To Go Outside!

bella 1

F/5.3, 1/60, ISO 100.

Day 87 / 365

Man’s best friend, and family for life.      🙂

Interesting Fact:  Yorkies are a toy breed, one of the smallest acknowledged by the American Kennel Club. As with every breed of dog, there are Yorkies that are smaller or larger than the breed standard. According to “Yorkshire Terriers” by D. Caroline Coile, the record-holding smallest living Yorkie is only 3 inches tall. Because there is really no such thing as a teacup Yorkie, anyone looking for a small companion should be wary of sellers offering such dogs.  ( http://pets.thenest.com/teacup-yorkshire-terrier-4873.html )