Cherish is my favorite word, and I cherish the ability of turning the routine into a beautiful moment.
Nature creates in me, a spiritual and meditative time to bring peace, harmony and balance, into an otherwise ordinary day~
Mary Howell Cromer







Tuesday, January 15, 2013

Duck, Duck Goose at Dawn And a New Hat~



My oldest daughter Hillary will at times ring me up on her way to take her twin boys to school, before going to work and let me know that the sunrise is making a nice show over Crystal Lake where her little family lives. 
I dash out the door and grab my camera in a wake of dust to make it the 3 miles, before things quickly change. 
The above scene was the last chance viewing after one of her welcome calls~

To Chris of:
http://chrisphotonature

Pretty Incredible!

To have known Chris for over 3 years, blogging from Iceland to Kentucky...
Shopping at the market, admiring a hat, complimenting the woman named Pat, who was wearing the hat.
 Then being introduced to Pat's brother Matt , and his wife Béa, who happen to be visiting Oldham County, Kentucky, from Iceland. 
Then add in that I just happened to have a birding/blogging friend from Iceland, named Chris...
which I mentioned in conversation, and then the smiles, even tears of joy that swept over me...
amazing! 
Add in that now I also have one of those beautiful hand crocheted hats made by Ranae,  who is sister to Matt and Pat, and that she also happens to be very good friend, of a friend I have had for 3 decades Kris, who lives in Oldham County as well...well you get the picture. 
Ranae and I both live in the same neighborhood...can you believe it...it is true! 
Pretty amazing, all beautiful, got to  love it~



I am linking up with Stewart at:


Wild Bird Wednesday

(http://paying-ready-attention-gallery.blogspot.com.au/)
as well as Sylvia at:
 SkyWatch Friday


I invite you to check out more 'Skywatch Friday' posts from around the world at:
http://skyley.blogspot.com/
 
 




She and her family also recently invited me to take in some play time at a nearby park.  There the following images of Mallard Ducks and assorted Geese were photographed~


The image above is not done in sepia tones, but was taken just as it was viewed and captured~
 
 
 
 
 
 


They swim about, bask in the sun, preen and then take baths! Wild and crazy baths, that show great joy in the undertaking of such raucous behavior~
 


I get one of those looks as if to say...what... are you going to be watching and if so...just stand back, because I am about to splash you with muddy water~
 
 


The family enjoyed a walk around the lake at the park and the water reflections were softened by their winter hues~
 
 
 
 
Posted by at 5:28 AM
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39 comments:

  1. MontanagirlJanuary 15, 2013 at 5:52 AM

    I ALWAYS love visiting your blog! I'm never disappointed in the variety and quality of your images. Very beautiful post today!

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  2. TexWisGirlJanuary 15, 2013 at 9:28 AM

    sweet ducks and geese. love the winter colors reflected in the water. :)

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  3. HansHBJanuary 15, 2013 at 10:32 AM

    A lovely serie of photos!
    Well done!

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  4. mickJanuary 15, 2013 at 11:03 AM

    Beautiful dawn photo and the series of ducks and geese are great.

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  5. i stora dragJanuary 15, 2013 at 11:10 AM

    That was a lot of beautiful pictures! Even the common duck you captured very well here! :)
    Greetings Pia

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  6. UnknownJanuary 15, 2013 at 12:03 PM

    Beautiful aquatic series!! Boom & Gary of the Vermilon River, Canada.

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  7. KarenJanuary 15, 2013 at 1:04 PM

    Fabulous captures!

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  8. eileeninmdJanuary 15, 2013 at 2:45 PM

    Awesome captures of the Geese and ducks, Mary! Have a lovely evening!

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  9. Pamela GordonJanuary 15, 2013 at 3:07 PM

    Beautiful, beautiful photos Mary! The one of the mallard duck by itself is amazing. You can see it's feathers so distinctly. Love your new hat! It should keep your head warm on your photo jaunts. Blessings, Pamela

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  10. debra @ homespunJanuary 15, 2013 at 3:18 PM

    oh SO many lovely pictures! :) What a beautiful collection to view... a fun way to start my evening after work...just love them all!

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  11. Gail DixonJanuary 15, 2013 at 4:54 PM

    That first shot of the fog is BEAUTIFUL! Enjoyed the ducks as well. :)

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  12. ChrisJanuary 16, 2013 at 4:39 AM

    Wonderful post Mary and thanks for the story once again ;-) As I said before, pretty incredible... i love your geese pictures ;-)

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  13. EG CameraGirlJanuary 16, 2013 at 4:54 AM

    I really like the mist on the water in the first photo! Cool shots of the geese and mallards too.

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  14. Icy BCJanuary 16, 2013 at 5:01 AM

    Fantastic photos of these critters! You must have an amazing camera, and love the hat colors!

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  15. Vores haveJanuary 16, 2013 at 6:31 AM

    Wau - where some great pictures / collages showing.
    Wish you a good day :) Hanne Bente

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  16. NatureFootstepJanuary 16, 2013 at 6:50 AM

    strange goose you have shot. Never seen any gooze with a bump in the head before. You did not mention what speces it is.

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  17. Bob BushellJanuary 16, 2013 at 7:53 AM

    What is that Goose called, not the Mallards, but it is next to him/her. Otherwise, it is brilliant photos.

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  18. Pat HattJanuary 16, 2013 at 8:03 AM

    Tons of great pictures, wow. Funny how life works to and all intersect.

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  19. RajeshJanuary 16, 2013 at 10:05 AM

    Wonderful shots of birds.

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  20. jp@A Green RidgeJanuary 16, 2013 at 12:48 PM

    Your photography is astounding! The pictures are crystal clear like the name of the lake you mention! Thank you for visiting!!...:)JP

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  21. Dominic GendronJanuary 16, 2013 at 5:29 PM

    Great images Mary, the first one is real work of art!

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  22. LarryJanuary 16, 2013 at 8:50 PM

    Beautiful close-ups of the Mallards and that crazy bathing Goose Mary! That first shot of Crystal Lake with the fog is gorgeous! Love the new hat too ;-)

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  23. Joop ZandJanuary 17, 2013 at 6:28 AM

    Your photo's a very very nice Mary...... my compliments.

    Greetings from Holland, Joop

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  24. Donna HeberJanuary 17, 2013 at 9:43 AM

    These are such amazing photos Mary! So many beautiful ducks and geese. You have a knack for capturing them. Thank you so much for stopping to visit me. Have a great weekend.

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  25. AnonymousJanuary 17, 2013 at 11:08 AM

    Just professional photos, brilliant!
    Thank you for your lovely comment on my site!

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  26. Martha ZJanuary 17, 2013 at 11:25 AM

    Wonderful images, Mary. Mallards are certainly beautiful birds and your images do them justice. Great images of the swans as well.
    It certainly is a small world, I have had several instances when an of-hand comment has shown that a stranger or an old friend shares an unexpected connection across the miles.

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  27. Hilda R.BJanuary 17, 2013 at 11:56 AM

    Beautiful birds from your area. Lovely series you got here.
    From hilda

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  28. Julie G.January 17, 2013 at 12:28 PM

    Mary, your post started off with a most stunning, peaceful image and continued on with fabulous duck, geese and water captures. All a feast for the eyes! It is always a pleasure to stop by and view your wonderful blog!

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  29. JoeJanuary 17, 2013 at 2:18 PM

    Congratulations. That top shot is breathtaking.

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  30. Sylvia KJanuary 17, 2013 at 3:10 PM

    Love your ducks and your photos/post for the day are terrific as always! I do love the ducks and geese! Hope you have a lovely weekend!!

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  31. AnonymousJanuary 17, 2013 at 3:11 PM

    Adore your new hat. love the duck, ducks and handsome goose :>)
    Foggy scenes are so mysterious and serene.

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  32. AnonymousJanuary 17, 2013 at 3:19 PM

    amazing photography !

    please have you all a good friday.

    daily athens photo

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  33. Sallie (FullTime-Life)January 17, 2013 at 3:43 PM

    What a wonderful series! I love everything about it. That natural sepia photo is wonderful. What a beautiful world you share with us! (I love the thought of your daughter phoning you with the sunrise news and your responding so quickly.)

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  34. Spare Parts and PicsJanuary 17, 2013 at 8:08 PM

    Beautiful shots... really like that lake shot and the fog over the water.

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  35. Light and VoicesJanuary 17, 2013 at 8:16 PM

    Lovely series of photos for skywatch Friday. Good job!
    JM-Illinois

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  36. KusumJanuary 17, 2013 at 8:24 PM

    I love that mist rising! Great shots of sky and birds :)

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  37. Stewart MJanuary 19, 2013 at 1:41 AM

    Mallard are great bird - I think people would go a long way to see them if they were rare.

    Thanks for the link to WBW.

    Cheers - Stewart M - Melbourne.

    PS: sorry for slow reply - I been out of internet range in Tasmania!

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  38. Bob BushellJanuary 19, 2013 at 5:14 AM

    I love your new header.

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  39. Wally JonesJanuary 19, 2013 at 10:17 AM

    Wonderful images, all. I love the sunrise and fog and the handsome Mallard!

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