Illinois road trip....

It was suppose to be nice yesterday, so we decided to drive over to Illinois to Olney to see the white squirrels and visit some conservation areas. Instead it turned out to be overcast and windy the whole day. The squirrels stayed in their cozy nests and we fought the wind for every photo we got of anything else. A brief stop by the river in Grayville, IL found this pair of domestic geese sitting by the waterfront. I believe these are Egyptian Geese?
Certainly an odd looking goose.

There were also a flock of gulls. When I stepped out to take the goose photo about a dozen of them flew in to see if I had food. Obviously a favorite spot for people to come feed them!

2-3 were sitting on this log out in the water.

Ring-billed gulls

Out first lake stop was in Olney, but it amazes me how the ducks know exactly where the center of the lake is, so that no matter what side you are on, they are too far out there for good shots! It was too windy for the new lens, I couldn't control it. I can tell that there were Ring-necked, Scaup, and Canvasbacks in the mix we saw.....

.....and a pair of Hooded Mergansers that were a little closer when we first got there.

But they were camera shy and headed to the middle of the lake with everyone else :-)

This was a different lake and again.....Scaups, I think....but way out there. This is cropped and is still bad.

I didn't see the white squirrels this year, but at least one little Fox Squirrel was willing to pose for a few seconds. This was the first year we didn't find the white ones. Will try again later in the year when it is nice and sunny.

Just as we were leaving this park, we saw about 30 turkeys crossed the road further up, so we sneaked up as close as we could in the car and got a few shots of them as they slowly disappeared into the woods.

gobble, gobble

I don't see turkeys very often and was curious about this one with the golden brown wings....different from all the others.

Another shot of the one with brown wings.

A farewell wing flap for me :-)

Well.....I also took photos of some buildings and such, and will save them for another day.

The turkeys made the day for me....as well as the Mergansers.....since I seldom see either one. And we almost finished listening to the first volume of Mark Twain's autobiography during the drive over and back :-) We've been working on it for quite a while!

Susie, the Labradoodle.....

A friend asked me to take photos of her new puppy. She looks innocent here, but let me tell you, she didn't hold still for very long at a time! Such a bundle of energy! Sort of like having a 2 year old.....or 2 or 3.....
That chew toy in her mouth was the only thing that kept her quiet for a few minutes.

I love her color! She is a mix of a Labrador and a standard size Poodle.

"Don't I look sweet?"

Getting tired maybe??

Well.....she's just a puppy :-)

Trees, This and That.....

We did a drive through Audubon State Park in Henderson, KY last week. Mostly I just shot photos of the trees. A bit of snow on the ground......
.......unless you cross the road :-)

I love the sycamore trees!

Those white "arms" lifting up to the sky are just so pretty.

The bare trunks

The bark

*The official Indiana state song mentions the sycamore trees.

On the Banks of the Wabash, Far Away
words and music by Paul Dresser

'Round my Indiana homestead wave the cornfields,
In the distance loom the woodlands clear and cool.
Oftentimes my thoughts revert to scenes of childhood,
Where I first received my lessons, nature's school.
But one thing there is missing in the picture,
Without her face it seems so incomplete.
I long to see my mother in the doorway,
As she stood there years ago, her boy to greet.

[CHORUS]
Oh, the moonlight's fair tonight along the Wabash,
From the fields there comes the breath of newmown hay.
Through the sycamores the candle lights are gleaming,
On the banks of the Wabash, far away.

Many years have passed since I strolled by the river,
Arm in arm, with sweetheart Mary by my side,
It was there I tried to tell her that I loved her,
It was there I begged of her to be my bride.
Long years have passed since I strolled thro' the churchyard.
She's sleeping there, my angel, Mary dear,
I loved her, but she thought I didn't mean it,
Still I'd give my future were she only here.

These are not blossoms even though they look like it. Just last year's seed remains of a Tulip Poplar.

We saw several of these huge shelf fungi on some of the trees.

A downed tree frozen in the lake......and a lost bobber from some fisherman :-)

This "castle" houses the Audubon Museum. We didn't stop this day, but I will go back and try to get photos inside if they let me. It's a very nice museum all about John James Audubon.

Crossing the bridge back to Indiana, I was shooting up into the cross girders.

I thought they made interesting patterns :-)

A drive-by shot of one of my favorite old houses along the Evansville river front. We have some great old houses and I should do a walking tour and take more photos....when my knee feels better.

*Footnote: Strangely enough I have always thought that this was the Indiana State Song! It is the most well known one. It also shares very similar lyrics in the part about the sycamores and the new mown hay.

BACK HOME AGAIN IN INDIANA
(Ballard MacDonald / James Hanley, 1917)


I HAVE ALWAYS BEEN A WAND'RER, OVER LAND AND SEA.
YET A MOONBEAM ON THE WATER, CASTS A SPELL O'ER ME.
A VISION FAIR I SEE, AGAIN I SEEM TO BE.

FANCY PAINTS ON MEM'RY'S CANVAS,
SCENES THAT WE HOLD DEAR
WE RECALL THEM IN DAYS AFTER,
CLEARLY THEY APPEAR.
AND OFTEN TIMES I SEE, A SCENE THAT'S DEAR TO ME.

BACK HOME AGAIN IN INDIANA
AND IT SEEMS THAT I CAN SEE
THE GLEAMING CANDLELIGHT STILL SHINING BRIGHT
THRO' THE SYCAMORES FOR ME
THE NEW MOWN HAY SENDS ALL ITS FRAGRANCE
FROM THE FIELDS I USED TO ROAM
WHEN I DREAM ABOUT THE MOONLIGHT ON THE WABASH
THEN I LONG FOR MY INDIANA HOME

Hawk, Pigeons, Herons....

A few more shots from our drive yesterday. We decided to drive by the train yards on the way to the wetlands....they are both close to the river......and look for pigeons and hawks.This beautiful Red-shouldered Hawk flew across the road right in front of our car and landed in a little tree at the side of the road. Then he let us back the car up until we were directly opposite him! I wish all hawks were this accommodating to photographers.
What a beauty!

It was hard to stop taking photos :-)

This was the most interesting group of pigeons I found. I was looking for different colors among them and these white ones were the most "different" I saw.

One appears to be all white and the other two very spotty. The one on the right has a black band on the tail. Very pretty!


A few more shots of the two herons at the wetlands.

They younger one was having a good fishing day.

The fish were small, but seemed to be plentiful.

The older heron was getting ready to go under the boardwalk here and his plumes were really blowing in the wind.

Here they stick out funny.

It was a great day to be out and so good to see the water at the wetlands unfrozen! I should start seeing birds there more regularly as they migrate again.

Love is........

Catching her eye.......
.......across the pond.
Walking nonchalantly ........

......in his direction.

Sharing special moments together.

Protecting her from danger.

Gentle touches

Pretending you don't see any awkward moments.

Enjoying the same things.

Spending time together each day.

Apologizing when needed.

Giving her time alone if she wants it.

Rooting for the same teams!

Swimming serenely through life together.

Good hygiene

Smiling when he acts silly.

Ignoring his table manners

Joining in the fun :-)

Being alone together

Happy Valentine's Day!