What You Say...Great Horned Owls and Tulips...Oh Yes~

Nearly 4 years ago when I first began this blog, I was posting at least 5 times a week and running myself ragged trying to keep up. 

These days, I try to post 1 to 3 times a week and still find myself running ragged...sigh...
I do love this whole blogging concept though, to be able to share with friends and fellow bloggers the world over...magnificent arena to do life!
Another nice thing is one can post things together, that might not otherwise go together and that is exactly what I decided to do today...why...just because I wanted to.
This past week, I caught up with Master Falconer Beau Solley and his wife June to go out and see what kind of action was taking place on the Great Horned Owl nest, that we last visited on February 27.

We found a single, very large, possibly female Owlet and she was way too cute!
We stayed near the nest site for well over an hour and never saw either parent, though a meal was definitely stashed up in the nest, as we observed the young one eating from it.
 We will try and go back again this coming week, in hopes of spotting one of the adults bringing in a meal, and, or the young one beginning to branch out a bit.
This is tick season and I came home with only one on me and I guess that is a good thing. Things will become wilder in coming days, as Spring rains green up shrubs and trees and make observing a bit more difficult, less the whole getting to the site without picking up any bugs along the way.
The nest tree is an enormous Sycamore tree, which makes for a beautiful setting for the nest, and photographs.
It was amazing how perfectly the young Owlet blended into it's surroundings.

As for the Tulips...I wish that I could say that they flourish in my garden...NOT!
I have hardly any flowers in my garden any longer, for the wildlife have pretty much plucked out anything with any colour...
The husby took me into Louisville yesterday and when I saw the beds of beautifully coloured Tulips, I had him stop, so that I could gather in a few images to share and thought that they might be something to perk up the more subdued tones of the nest site images.
I hope that you enjoy your Monday and your week.
Take care and be blessed, as well as being a blessing to others.
You already know that you bless me, whenever I hear from you...

 

I am linking up with Mary for:

"Mosaic Monday"

at:http://dearlittleredhouse.blogspot.com

and

I am linking up with Stewart at:

Wild Bird Wednesday

(http://paying-ready-attention-gallery.blogspot.com.au/)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Kentucky Oaks & Kentucky Derby Week in Kentucky~

It is going to be a very fun week for me and one that I have looked forward to for a long, long time!
Living in Kentucky horse country USA, we have many Saddlebred, Arabian, Thoroughbred horse farms near by.
Just about any direction you go, you will find them. In the northeastern part of the state you will view mostly black creosoted fences and go to the south western part of the state and you will see more white fences.
Bluegrass country they call it.
When the morning dew rests upon the grasses, it almost looks blue in colour and oh so very beautiful.
There is nothing quite as exciting as being able to visit one of these farms and watch the horses grazing in a pasture, or running along the fence line, feeling their oats.
I grew up riding English and loved it into my young adult years.
It was a dream to own a horse, but that never happened.
That was fine, for I always knew someone who did and I could go to visit whenever I needed a good dose of their beauty.

I love their grace and power.

When I was 18, I went to the Kentucky Derby, standing in the infield with thousands of people, I vowed to myself that one day...I would either go to the  Kentucky Oaks, which is the running of the fillies on the first Friday in May,

or

I would go to the Kentucky Derby which always falls on the first Saturday in May. 

My plan was to go with a really good view, and a seat.

This year, I have been blessed abundantly, for not only am I be going, but I am going in style.

I will be seated in the Clubhouse  for the running of the Oaks on Friday,

in a box 3 rows back from the track and only 4 sections from the finish line.  

I am so excited and am so looking for this to be a day to remember!

In honor of this special week, I decided to share some special horse images, as well as some lovely flowers which can always be seen at the famous Churchill Downs racetrack, in Louisville.

Next week, I shall share some of my photographs from this very special day.

Have a lovely Monday, a lovely Mosaic Monday and a wonderful, fun and safe week...

I know that I plan to do just that;')~

Meet Lilly, who belongs to my sister's good friend Charlie and his wife~

 

Lilly is being boarded at the Hermitage Farms in Prospect, KY. 
This  also happens to be where the Queen of England and her husband have visited several times. 
I was fortunate enough to be one of a handful of people who got to see Queen Elizabeth when she made a visit back in the mid 1980's. 
It was quite on accident...and it was a grand memory~

The above Mosaic was done by Mary at the Little Red House.
To view more like these...

Please visit other Mosaic Monday entries with Mary
at
Little Red House

A Push for Some Nature Colouring~

After having a bad cold for days...weeks now, I am ready for sunshine and colour, any colour is better than the drab gray and brown that has shown around for weeks now.  I am talking anything from the powder white of clean fallen snow, to spring, summer and autumn colours, but for now, I must share some of what has been and hope that the new kind comes on soon, for it would perk me up so very much, how about you~

You know that there is nothing quite like an American Robin to usher in a cheerful day~

Autumn colouration of the Oregon Rhododendron to the sweet berries of the Euonymus ...

                                                               Angelic Tulip blossom~

Endless Summer Hydrangea, Mediterranean posies, Tulips and Roses all brighten a day~

                                                      A Rose like sunshine to the soul~

                                              Tulips under the droplets of rain presented~

Jewelweed helps if your skin happens to come in contact with Poison Ivy and Oak and they are also so pretty too.  They are hidden away for now, but soon ;) ~

    Jewelweed, Tulips and Japanese Kaki Persimmons as lovely as any Valentine card~

 

Japanese Kaki Persimmons, a delicacy and also such loveliness held in each fruit offered~

                                   Please visit other Mosaic Monday entries with Mary



                                                                               at


                                                                  Little Red House




                                               http://dearlittleredhouse.blogspot.com/