Fashion Police II

I have no words for this one.

I remember a "dress code" when I was in school.

Boys had to wear dress slacks and button shirts. No jeans, no tees.

Girls were not allowed to wear slacks at all - only skirts or dresses.

Nobody could wear athletic shoes. (Back then they were called "sneakers")

The one on the left looks like her pants were made from a table cloth!

Fashion Police

Shortly after leaving the house, this young lad was immediately arrested by

The Fashion Police. He was cited and released.

His parents will have to do 48 hours of community service.

Don't let this happen to you!

Backyard Bird Watch III

European Starling

In winter this bird is dark blue with white speckles. In the summer they are jet black.

The pattern on their wings look amazingly like the shields on the "bat-mobile".

Although attractive this time of year, these birds are considered invasive.

They arrive in hordes and destroy crops and compete with native birds.

When this picture was taken there were at least fifty more on the ground 

snapping up corn kernels, bird seed and attacking the suet feeders in a frenzy! 

Backyard Bird Watch II

Cardinal Adult Female And Junco

The dish of seeds on top of my grill seems to be a "civic center" for birds and squirrels to gather for a quick snack. 

I love the colors of both the male and female cardinals and how they stand out against the white snow.

The female has an olive back and orange breast with blood red tips on her wings and tail feathers.

This female and her mate are regulars in my backyard.

Backyard Bird Watch

Hairy Woodpecker Male.

A variety of birds are getting used to my backyard feeders.

It is important to keep feed out during these winter months and it's a delight to see these pretty birds.

Bell Pepper Fired Up!

Red Hot!

Butterflies III

WOODLAND SKIPPER

Click to enlarge

Butterflies II

MONARCH

Click to enlarge

Butterflies I

CLOUDED SULPHUR

Click to enlarge

Nature Walk VI

Whitetail Deer

Although, technically not at the Rocky River Nature Center but still in the park, this doe wasn't more 

than 15-feet from the road in a wide open meadow.

Apparently uninterested in the cars whizzing by and the occasional photographers, it meandered across the meadow 

enjoying some "really good grass". (LOL)

Click the images to enlarge.

Nature Walk V

Painted Turtle

These turtles seemed to be everywhere there was a log to bask in the sun on.

This one also saw my camera and said, "Hey, you looking at me?"

Click the image to enlarge.

Nature Walk IV

Dragonfly, Common Whitetail

Photographed from the same spot as the Frog In The Bog these insects are considered beneficial because they eat 

pest insects like mosquitos and their larvae.

They are abundant throughout North America.

Click the images to enlarge, (There's great detail in these photos)

Nature Walk III

Frog In The Bog

I came across a group of visitors pointing to the bog and asked them what do they see.

This was one of many frogs poking their heads out.

Click the image to enlarge.

Nature Walk II

Pilelated Woodpecker

As I walked through a forested path, this beautiful woodpecker landed in front of me just overhead. I think it saw my camera and said, "Hey, shoot me!"

This particular woodpecker is quite large - about as big as a crow!

Click the image to enlarge.

Nature Walk I

Community Log

Last July when the family was visiting, we stopped at the Rocky River Nature Center in North Olmstead in the 

Cleveland Area Metroparks System.

We looked at the exhibits inside the building and then went on our way.

I went for another visit afterwards and discovered that there are 5-miles of paths and vista points behind the building.

The reserve was lush with mammals, birds, reptiles and insects to photograph.

In this first of a series, I found these ducklings and painted turtles sharing a partially sunken log in the marsh.

Click the image to enlarge.

Surprised Riding Mower

You want me to cut what? I'll get dirty!

Happy Riding Mower

Why, I'd be happy to mow your lawn!