AS PROMISED...

Where do I begin? First of all, thank you to all of you who have contacted me with concern. I promised that I would explain what has been going on with me...and here it is. You all know of my connection issues, and over time (possibly tower changes), blogging and commenting on other blogs has been extremely time consuming and many times impossible. I feel fairly confident that you all understand that I'm not a blogger snob. Time is a precious gift, and I have chosen to spend my time this summer outdoors and not in front of this computer.

I have pain from spinal issues...the hours spent sitting in front of my computer must be limited. To those of you who have shown concern in this area, I'm okay...looking forward to four injections next week to hopefully knock the pain out! Maybe this will be the magic bullet, and I'll be dancing once again! Love those thumping, bumping 80's songs!

After much encouragement from family, friends, and blogging buddies...I have joined Artist Rising. My captures can be seen and available for purchase through my gallery at artistrising.com. I am continually uploading new captures, as I have hundreds of photographs from these past few months alone. Currently, I have about 60 photos available in my gallery.

I recieve a minimum amount on any of my photography sold...but it is a starting point, as I don't have the necessary equipment to print and sell from home. This also gives me an opportunity to see how much interest my captures generate.

At my gallery, you can enlarge the photographs. You can choose a capture and view it in a matted frame of your choice of color/style...you can even see how it looks against your wallcolor. I've had family members in the past purchase just the photography(not mine...yet!), and do their own matting and framing as a more affordable option. It is an interesting site. If you are a member(or wish to log-in) and truly do enjoy my photography...do me a favor and click on ...I like this artist. I'm not sure what the benefits are of this feature, if nothing else...you'll bring me a smile. Along with every capture is a short description. I posted a new post on my hummingbird also, someday I'm sure I'll be posting again. I do miss connecting with all of you, but for now, I'm walking a new path in Wishnik Woods...what dreams may come?

PREENING OF A HUMMINGBIRD...

My hummingbird displays his grooming techniques. When a bird preens, it is a process in which they groom and care for their feathers.

They use their beak to pick through their feathers...

Removing any debris...

and arrange feathers that are out of place.

The bird will distribute...

a special oil...

that is secreted from a gland...

at the base of its' tail.


This oil helps to keep the birds' feathers healthy and shiny.

MAY AND JUNE...4 (SMALL CREATURES)

Whatever you were just thinking while looking at this...is pretty much what I thought when I first saw these. I was shocked when I came upon these, as I walked closer to them (I think with my mouth open in awe!), they all moved at once.....SYNCHRONIZED!! It turns out that they are European Pine Sawfly larvae of a primitive wasp-like insect that prefers Mugho pine and rarely feeds on Ponderosa. Lucky me, these larvae fed on both in my woods. They move branch to branch stripping the tree of its' needles. The larvae raise their heads and tails in a threatening manner to scare off intruders in a synchronized fashion. It has got to be one of the wildest, strangest things I have seen! Fortunately, the birds ate them, but I'm sure I'll have some next year, from fallen larvae. They are the most common sawfly to infest Pines.

My kids always called these...stinky bugs. I have no idea what it is.

A young dragonfly clings to an orange Lily on the woods' edge across the pond. Dragonflies and flowers...it doesn't get much better for me. This was on one of my early morning walks.

A makeshift wooden bridge covers what I call a "sometimes creek". When my daylilies or daisies fall over and onto the bridge, that's where they stay! I like that loose, casual, natural look. Obviously, this flower was meant to be here, because from my kitchen window I snapped this photo of two butterflies sharing this flower.

Apologies to any guests that have seen and read the post dedicated to my new favorite damsel on my other blog...but, this Ebony Jewelwing damsel is simply a beauty...she deserves another showing. The male is also featured on my damsels and dragons blog. The bodies are brilliant metallic green and blue...and how awesome are those black wings!

MAY AND JUNE...3 (THE BIRDS!)

Sleeping safe and snug among the cattails, is one of at least three nests of baby Red-Winged Blackbirds that called Wishnik Woods home.

Sure...they're cute now...

This little one snuck out of his nest a little too soon, his Mama wasn't happy. I was maybe two and a half feet from this baby when I took these photos. He was stranded on the ponds' edge in plant growth hanging over the water. Actually, the female adult builds the nest just inches above the waters surface. This little guy couldn't even manage a peep as wide as his mouth is open. I wasn't sure if he was trying to warn me or expecting food...maybe trying to yell help! I would've got in the canoe and put him back in his nest if necessary...his Mama came through for him.

We had maybe five minutes or so, up close and personal with each other. The adult Red-Wings are extremely territorial and EXTREMELY noisy about it! I will show them on another post. They are known to attack larger creatures and humans. They gather and live in colonies, which makes it even noisier. It was peculiar that once I sat down near this baby, and talked to it the whole time...the others became completely quiet. Mama positioned herself close by, Dad and the others close by as well...but all that screeching and squawking stopped.

Cute...yes...until they grow up and eat my dragonflies. The dragons are their favorite insect...and I watched helplessly as they dived mid-air for their treats. They also searched through the plant life around the pond and ate many immature damsels and dragons.

DEMON BIRDS!!!!

Behind my largest Weigela bush, between the cabin and the pond, hangs my first Bluebird house. I never saw Bluebirds, let alone in my woods, so I was anxious to see if my 'Bluebirds of Happiness' would come. They did, but first they had to kick out the first tenants...which I'm not sure which type of bird they were.

The cozy wooden home was in perfect view from my kitchen window. These two photos were taken through my window. The female did most of the work, it seemed the male did alot of supervising!

I got a real thrill when the male and female would rest on the low branches. I'd swear they listened to me singing (yep, now I think I'm Snow White!). It was great...I had my Bluebirds...expecting babies...and one day they were gone. Just like that. Now, I did see a feather on the porch, but not from the Bluebirds. The house was probably too low...within climbing range for the cats. Honestly, though, I feel The bully Red-Winged Blackbirds chased them away. Maybe it was a little of both....maybe....they didn't like my singing...NO?!









My happiness came and went...I wonder where? I wonder if they are still in my woods. So very pretty, aren't they?

MAY AND JUNE...2 (SMALL CREATURES)

Along my walks, I always see some other living creature...no matter how small...going about their daily life. How interesting each of them are to behold...I wonder if they actually are capable of appreciating a beautiful day as we do?

MAY AND JUNE...1 (BLOOMS)

David Phlox in a small bed near the ponds' edge. These stand between my Weeping Cherry tree (which the beetles have begun to attack!) and a Hydrangea bush. Just to the right begins the largest patch of Cattails, which most of them are over six feet tall.

Miniature yellow roses on a dark day...a little sun peeked out just briefly when I took this photo.

Wild rambling roses grow in masses around the woods. They send off a rosey musk scent...mmm..mmm...good...I love musk. It doesn't matter how dark the day, flowers always do their best to make you smile.

Pin Cushion is the common name, it's known as an easy plant to grow. I've had every color available, but only this variety has pulled through. Mine have drowned in late winter thaws due to excess moisture in our amended clay soil. The butterflies love them. Before I had all of my cats, these were some of my favorites to place in simple vases or jars around the cabin.

The basic fanciful Iris soaking up the sun in the rock garden between the woods and the dock. I enjoy looking at the flowers in every light...the many moods. Here she is... basking in the sun.

Wild Phlox grows along our drive and scattered in the woods. The bunch shown is growing next to our waterfalls. Wild Phlox goes hand in hand with living in the country. I have the white and purple varieties that pop up here and there.
The true Johnson Blue Geranium, has begun to bloom. My first bloom of the season growing at the base of an Iris plant next to the pond. I love the different textures and forms taking shape as everything comes to life.
The petite Lily of the Valley peeks out. For such a tiny showing, they sure exude a heavenly scent. This was among some hostas that my brother and his wife gave us when we first started planting here. Just recently I found out that they were initially from my sisters-in-laws grandmothers' garden. This made them all the more special. I didn't know they had bloomed until I walked past that garden and their perfume filled the air.

My Marguerite Daisy...I have these growing all over... here and there. Daisies to me add a light-hearted, whimsical feel wherever they call home.

APRIL INTO MAY...5

After its' aerial acrobats show, this dragonfly decided to get a closer look at his/her audience. All around me it glided, hovering in the breeze... several times within a foot or so of my face. Finally choosing a grassy patch to rest upon within a few feet from where I was sitting on the dock. I took that as an invite for a photo shoot! I proceeded off the deck onto the grassy bank and started clicking away...each time stepping closer...still clicking. At this point, Bandit and Patches (my cats) joined me. I saw Patches in the crouch position ready to leap...I yelled no and quickly placed a firm hand down on her back. She coiled back to me...not happy. I quickly placed my hand firmly down on her again...it was too late. Out from under my hand she leaped...she had another prey in her sights as she kept going...not my winged performer. But, with the initial landing of her first pounce, she landed on my dragonfly. I was horrified! I slowly walked up to the dragon...its' head lower to the ground.. appearing to still be intact, yet, motionless. I ever so softly stroked the length of its' body...thinking what a shame this beauty cannot enjoy life anymore. Amazingly, the small head slowly raised and fell...

and then it raised and turned to look at me. Thinking that maybe I'm causing more pain, I stopped my gentle strokes and placed my open palm about two inches on the ground in front of him/her. Slowly...the dragonfly walked to and onto my hand.

(reminds me of sheer stained glass)

All in all, we bonded for maybe fifteen minutes. I took a seat back on the dock, the dragonfly walked all over my hand, then on to my thighs, climbing up my shirt towards my face...which I then put my hand out for it to climb back on...it did. Of course, the whole time I'm talking to this small creature. No...don't worry, I didn't hear a little voice answering me back!

It was tough taking photos so close as I held it. After viewing the many captures I took, I think there was damage to its' leg. Dragonflies catch their prey from above and use their legs in a basket formation to carry the prey. I hope this one pulls through o.k. It finally spread its' wings and took off, circling me a few times, landed once again on my shirt ...looking up at me...and then flew off to enjoy life.

Peek-a-boo?! ...um...I see you. This damselfly wouldn't be good at Hide-n-Seek either....too cute, huh?!

In an aching need to see flowers and more color surrounding me...my husband came through with a surprise of three baskets of Pansies. Pansies are real eye candy at this time of the year... deep yellows, royal purples, dark and chiffon blues, just to mention a few colors. Enticing our senses... an appetizer... for more blooms to come this summer.

This dainty damselfly was the first of the season!

Two Japanese Willow trees and five or six Japanese Willow bushes grace our pond. I absolutely love these willows...they sway with every breeze...they keep pace with the rippling surface of the water every time the breeze picks up. New growth is the prettiest...sheer layers of new leaf in shades of salmon pink nestled among the mottled cream and green leaves.

Everything is beautiful...in it's own way. At least that's what the song said!

What a beautiful sight! After many sunny afternoon rendezvous with the male, this female Springtime Darner deposits her eggs.

Strawberry blooms are peeking out
The petite Muscari are all showing off their Spring blue bonnets.
A Dogwood bloom...

Up close and personal with a mature Dogwood tree growing in the wild, this is the view. Beautiful creamy blooms reaching towards the blue skies...ahhh...Spring!