The Short Loop

On our walk we came across this spot stating it was the short loop. Across from the entrance to the short loop was a small bench upon which I sat down to rest. My husband decided to take the trail and with the boys en tow headed out ahead of me. I was going to catch up in a few minutes. This is typical anyway because I am usually lingering behind because something has caught my eye and I am taking pictures of it. So I sat and rested for a five minutes, I got up to head down the short loop and this is the view that I had around me. It was so quiet and peaceful. I couldn't see my husband up ahead not a big deal. Well about five minutes or so down the path my husband is headed right at me, mind you the path is only wide enough for one person to walk along. So I asked him if he was worried about me. No he wasn't worried about me. There was a fallen tree in the path and he was not able to go any farther with the stroller and had to turn around. So I stepped aside and let him pass and headed back out onto the main trail. At this point the bugs were starting to become well buggy namely the mosquitoes, so we headed back. I hope to go back and take more pictures in the next week or so. I was thinking about trying this weekend but I'm not sure the weather is going to allow it.

I will start the Howell Nature Center/Wild Wonders Wildlife Park photos on Sunday. Hopefully I will be out shooting more pictures on Saturday.

Thistle and Something Else

Wavyleaf Thistle.


Unknown. Update: I have been informed this is milkweed. This is Common Milkweed to be exact. That is what I thought but was unable to find any information to confirm it. Thanks to my friend over at the Lilac and Roses blog for letting me know.


I found these plants to be very beautiful. And I am just in love with the macro images that I got. I even had fun identifying the first plant but had no luck on identifying the second one. I know that many would consider these to be weeds, but like my aunt said the other day "A flower is only a weed when it grows someplace that you don't want it to grow." How true is this in so many different aspects of our life. I won't get on a soap box or anything right now. But it is so easy to be bogged down by so many different things in our lives that we forget to weed out the things that are not necessary to survive. So take some time today and weed out some of the little things that are weighing you down and let yourself enjoy the view around you.

The Sighting

On the little walk in the Shiawassee National Wildlife Refuge, we were blessed to have three deer cross our path. This is the only image that I was able to capture of them. I was in such amazement over seeing them that I didn't react fast enough to take many pictures. They were so beautiful to see. I enjoyed the moment though and that is what really matters the most, isn't it?

Ruby Meadowhawk

Ruby Meadowhawk? I think this is right.

Cattail

There is plenty of cattails in my area. I see them growing everywhere. While trying to identify this particular type of cattail, I came across two that it are possibilities. I am leaning more toward the Southern Cattail. The flower parts look more similar to me. The thing that makes me question that it this is not Southern Cattail is the location. The other possibility is the Broadleaf Cattail. Although as I sit here preparing this post and reread the descriptions, I am thinking maybe it is the Narrowleaf Cattail. However, they only mention this plant and do not have a specific page for this type of Cattail. So what is your opinion? I appreciate any help in identifying anything that I might have on my blog. Thanks for reading.

A quick look at my upcoming posts - I will finish up the Shiawassee National Wildlife Refuge, then on to the Howell Nature Center and Wildlife Wonder Park, and then on to some more light hearted fare with images from the Michigan Renaissance Festival.

Monarch Butterflies

On the Saturday before Labor Day, we went out to the Shiawassee National Wildlife Refuge for a walk. The first critter that I came across was a monarch butterfly. The first two images are the same butterfly. However, I am not sure if the third photo is of the same butterfly. I think it might possibly be the same one in all three photos. I remember feeling as though I was chasing the poor thing. I would see a monarch flying and it seemed as though I could never catch up to it except these two different times. It kept flying just ahead of me.


For more camera critters click the icon to the right.