Snowy Potpourri

I took a drive up to Au Gres, MI a couple of days ago, in a nice light snowfall. I came across a number of scenes, and met a few critters, that warranted pulling out the camera.

No kids, these deer cannot fly. They are a couple of whitetail deer outside Bay City.

I stopped for lunch by the breakwall at Au Gres. It was all quite pretty in the snow.

I found this hawk by the road on the way home. I do not want to know what it is eating.

Ok, someone needs to tell Percy the Possum that it is winter, and he should be sleeping.

I hope you enjoyed my photographic rambling. Thanks for stopping by.

‘Tis The Season

Here are a few visual Christmas songs.  Enjoy!!

Let It Snow, Let It Snow, Let It Snow!

“Deck the Dogs (with red ribbon bowties)”

“Pretty Paper” (note the fashionable duct tape ribbon)

“O Christmas Tree”

“Silent Night”

A Christmas Carol Walk

On Friday I joined Wendy at Dow Gardens, in Midland MI for their annual Christmas Carol Walk.  Numerous choirs and other groups are located throughout the gardens, performing holiday music.  The paths are lit with luminaires, trees, buildings and bridges are lit up, and it is a beautiful setting.  Wendy was with the Delta Flute Choir, in the Conservatory, performing.  Here are just a few shots from that evening.

Performing before the flute choir was an interesting group, calling themselves “Just Trombones”.  Self explanatory.

Next up was the Delta Flute Choir.  They performed for about 45 minutes, and they were wonderful.  The music sounded great in the greenhouse, and the people walking through really seemed to enjoy them.

The Conservatory was beautifully decorated with poinsettias and other colorful flowers, as well as other decorations.  The highlights were the nutcrackers and the poinsettia tree.

Santa Claus is Watching You!

You better watch out, you better not cry, you better not pout, I ‘m telling you why – Santa Claus is coming to town.  Actually, he is already here.  Actually, he is EVERYWHERE!  My wife Wendy loves Santa.  I mean she really LOVES Santa, and has built up quite a collection of Santa figures.  And they are everywhere around our house.  Here is a portion of her collection:

He has taken over the buffet…

And found a split level tea cart….

Even the china cabinet is not safe.

He knows if you are sleeping….. because he is monitoring the stairs.

Yes, he is in every corner.

So in my house, I must be good, because Santa Claus is watching me!!

My Weekend Walk, pt. 2

Here are a few more pics from my weekend walk by the river.  Just some interesting shapes and textures.  I hope you like them!

A chilly walk

Hello Friends!  It has been too long since I came on to share my pictures, but with the holiday and work, I have found myself rather busy.  But then, I am sure all of you folks can appreciate that.  This morning I decided to brave the cold air and overstuffed belly and take a walk down by the river.  It was just a short safari, but I was able to capture a few good shots.  The air was cold, and the wind was brisk, but the sun was shining bright.  I stalked the majestic eagle, and snuck up on a lone mourning dove.  The geese had taken flight, and the moon seemed reluctant to give up his place to the sun.

Thanks for visiting!  I have a  few more, but I will save those for tomorrow.  See you soon!

Leftovers

Here are a few pics from previous excursions that did not make it online the first time around (ok, the sunbeams actually are from today).  I have not had a chance to get out and take new pics, so I am hitting the archives again.

Enjoy!

Foggy, Foggy Morning

For three days straight, Bay City’s mornings have been shrouded in fog.  This morning, it lay like the proverbial pea soup.  I felt a trip to the river was in order to see what mysteries were lurking in the fog.

The Riverwalk foot bridge, deserted, disappears into the fog.

Normally bright and cheery, the trees of the park stand like sentinels at the edge of the fog.

Further down the river, the remains of the shipwrecks appear like ghosts in the mist.

At last, the mysterious presence is revealed.  A small hawk hides in the shrouded tree, eyes alert for danger.

I hope you will forgive my poetic mood.  Fog does that to me.  Thanks for visiting.

Sometimes, my job has its perks

Today my job sent me out on some back country roads, looking for a particular store.  I have learned when this happens to take my camera with me.  I did today, and was glad.

First, I came across a small flock of wild turkeys in a field, quite close to the road.

Later, I spotted a white tail deer at the very back of a field.  It really was too far away for a good picture, but I gave it a try and come up with this.

It is not perfect, but I finally got my buck!

A few more…

Here are a few more pictures from my weekend safari.  Nothing special, I just thought they were kind of cute.  Enjoy!

He will never see me!  I am hidden behind this tree… I am invisible!

Awwwww, he blinked.