Beautiful Balloons (read them backwards)

I got out to Lake Shawnee yesterday and was able to get some pictures of the evening balloon launch for the Huff 'n PuffBalloon Rally, put on by the Great Plains Balloon Club. We staked out a spot across the north end of the lake from the launch area, and had balloons headed right towards us most of the time.

We thought about going to the illuminations, where they inflate the ballons after dark and keep them tethered and lit with the flame. However, when we checked it out, it was terribly crowded and we just didn't feel like doing that. Maybe next year. I'd also like to get some pictures of the inflating, etc. of the balloons.

Thanks to my guy Richard, the other part of this "we," for his frequent help in my photo jaunts. He's my bodyguard, chair toter, equipment manager, and so many other things. Thanks!

Rose in the Park

The gorgeous color of this rose at Reinisch Rose Garden in Gage Park caught my attention. It's named "Trumpeter" and it certainly did announce itself in the evening sun!

More Mooning

Two of an evening moon over Topeka yesterday; one with tree.

Another Sky Picture

Sorry, I couldn't resist this one either...coming out of Lola's this evening, and this was in the eastern sky with the lowering sun shining on it so very nicely for me.

Itsy Bitsy

Well, it wasn't on the waterspout, but right there in the house! I don't know what kind it is; any reader who does, please comment. It was "itsy bitsy," though, probably half an inch, if that. Though I admire spiders and appreciated their tendency to keep down the insect population, this one has been relocated to the great outdoors from whence it came.

Fairly Fair Weather

Nice clouds in Topeka this evening.

Moon in the Afternoon

Swirly Weather

These are all from two days ago (July 27), taken near Lola's as some late afternoon storms moved through Topeka.

July Moon, 070609

Just a couple of views of the moon at Lake Shawnee last night. I don't have any good ones of moon + trees or moon + water. I was having some trouble with the focus on the camera.

My apologies...

I apologize for the lack of pictures here the past month. Between working, socializing, and fussing with a hurt knee, I just haven't been out doing pictures like I should have, at least not here in Topeka.

I do have some nice pictures of barn swallows but they are in Lawrence so they don't belong on this blog. If you'd like to see them anyway, they're on Flickr.

Perhaps I'll sneak out into this much cooler day and see what I can find.

Family Outing

"My" doves up on the neighbors' porch roof this evening. The neighbors arrived home in the middle of my photo shoot so I had to explain about the birds, lest they think the weird neighbor lady was up to no good somehow.

Last Look?

Two pictures of a still-young dove who returned to the redbud tree today. Perhaps just taking a last look at the home it grew up in?

New Kids On The Block

A youngster in the grass, trying to stay still and hide from the evil photographer lady.



A juvenile robin on the back fence, still hoping Mom or Dad will bring him some groceries.




The nest we've been watching has some new residents! The eggs hatched on an unknown date, and this is the first time I've seen a baby. He or she has quite a few feathers already, and as you can see, a parent is still lurking close by in the background.


A closer view. What a cutie! There may be another one right behind it, in front of the parent bird.


A couple of days later, looking more like a mourning dove all the time.


And just one day later, May 22, the nest looks empty. Everyone moved somewhere else.

More birds for my world, and that makes me very happy.

More Like It

May sky, no clouds, green life! About 68 F. Yeah, this is more like it.

The Next Generation

There's no doubt why my yard is full of dandelions, is there?

Hiding in Plain Sight

A pair of Mourning Doves decided to nest in our backyard redbud tree. I'm amazed that I was able to capture a couple of pictures of a bird on the nest. The top one was April 28, the bottom one today, May 3, just a little while ago.

I understand the male and female Mourning Doves take turns on the nest. I found it in the first place while they were changing shifts. I'm looking and listening for babies, and hoping they don't become snacks for the neighborhood roaming cats.

THE lovely color of Kansas in Spring...

Redbud in full bloom in our backyard...glad I took it yesterday, it may be buffeted to little purple shards by the storms today and those to come tonight...

More Spring Colors

Tulips in Ward Meade Park, 041909


More tulips in Gage Park, 041909

Spring Has Purple Beauty...

And many other colors, too. These are tulips from Gage Park today. There will be more pictures to come. Aren't these almost too gorgeous?

April '09 Full Moon at Lake Shawnee

Can you see the moon in this picture?



Now you can...



The moon escaping the trees...



And now, of course, there are two moons to adore.

Geese, Lake Shawnee

Joined by this fine pair of Canada geese at Lake Shawnee while out to take Moon pictures.