TODAY'S FLOWERS # 104

I have been home now for a little over 24 hours. I had a wonderful time in Seattle and these are a few of the flowers I took photos of. I'm afraid I don't know what they are, except for the third one down which looks like some type of wild rose.

TODAY’S FLOWER’S was created by our good friend Luiz Santilli Jr.

You can find beautiful and unusual flowers from all over the world by clicking here.

Camera Critters

Another predated post as I should be back home again by now and probably resting up a little bit. Thank you for all your comments while I have been away. I hope to catch up with you all during the next few days.

A photo of a Blue Jay sitting on part of a wooden framework on the deck out back.

Camera Critters is a wonderful meme created by Misty Dawn. Thank you Misty!

You can find other critter photos by clicking here.

SkyWatch Friday

Predated post but I am traveling back today.

My photos this week are taken of the skies around the Smithsonian National American Indian Museum. If you click here it will take you to their site, and if you click here and here, you will find some very interesting information and photos.

We live about 25 miles away from Washington DC and I feel very fortunate that we can visit the Smithsonian Museums any time we feel like a trip into the city. I enjoy all of them but The National Museum for the American Indian is one of my favorites.

At Wikipedia I read that this is the first museum in the country dedicated exclusively to American Indians. The exterior is covered in a golden-colored Kasota Limestone designed to evoke natural rock formations shaped by wind and water over thousands of years.

This rather magnificent statue was on the grounds but it had no identifying plaque of who the artist was. I think it was in the process of being set up.

This particular photo I got from the Wikipedia site and you can get there if you click here.

Thank you Klaus, Sandy, Wren, Fishing Guy and Sylvia for hosting SkyWatch Friday.

If you want to join in you can click right here.

Nature Notes

Another predated post while on vacation in Seattle, Washington.

I am always happy to spot a dragonfly taking a momentary rest. They are always so flittery!

I was able to get closer and closer, and after taking my photos I enjoyed the moment and then he was gone.

Michelle is the host of Nature Notes. Thank you Michelle for this great meme.

Michelle's Natures Notes is right here.

Watery Wednesday

Another predated post while on vacation in Seattle, Washington.

Continuing a series of photographs I have been sharing off and on from a Sunday afternoon in Washington DC a few weeks ago. We had just finished looking around the Smithsonian National Museum for the American Indian. The pool is at the side of the building and the family in the photograph above will eventually reach the steps with the large rock and the cascading water that you see in the next three photographs.

Thank you 2sweetnsaxy for hosting this great meme.

You can get there by clicking here.

My World Tuesday

Predated post - I am in Seattle. I have been here since last Thursday, and I am hoping to link to My World from the hotel room in between doing a whole lot of sight-seeing.

A few weeks ago we were in Virginia Beach on the 4th of July weekend and were staying with my in-laws, Celia and Gully. The photo above shows the back of their house. They moved into it about a couple of months' ago. It has a lovely big back yard which I enjoyed exploring. In the photo below is their shed. I liked Celia's cute outdoor thermometer, so of course I took a photo of it.

Their yard is surrounded by many large trees.

This pine was attracting some vine and I thought it made a pretty photograph.

And because they have so many tall pine trees, the ground is scattered with pine cones.

I was amazed to see so many dragonflies and they were very cooperative.....

staying still long enough for me to take many photographs.

There were lots of butterflies around also but they were a little harder as they just kept on fluttering.

There were some pretty flowers on the property....

and Celia is already getting results from the tomatoes she planted. She also has squash in the ground and I can't tell if the blooms were from the tomatoes or from the squash. That's how much I know about veggie gardening. Not much, but I am always a willing learner.

I was fascinated by this old pump and my father-in-law explained to me how they worked which I found very interesting. I wish I could remember everything he told me about it. I am going to have to ask him again and get a recording or at least take notes. As my Mom and Dad used to tell me, beauty is in the eye of the beholder, and I thought this old pump was just beautiful. I call it "Rusty Elegance".

I hope you have enjoyed your walk around my family's garden.

Thank you Klaus, Sandy, Wren, Fishing Guy, Louise and Sylvia for hosting My World.

You can see other ‘My World’ photos or join in and share your own by clicking right here.

Hamish and Hedgie

Today I had a nice surprise amongst my e-mails. My friend Kathy sent me a photo of Hamish and when I asked, Kathy said I could share his photo. There are several on my blog of Hamish. I consider him a dear little pal who makes me smile and laugh every time I visit Kathy. Hamish is showing us his new toy Hedgie. Thank you Kathy and thank you Hamish. Stay cool back east, I know you've had quite a heatwave back there.

We have spent another great day and rode the ferry over to Bainbridge Island. Back at the hotel now and will be out bright and early in the morning. I'm looking forward to sharing lots of photos when I get back home.

TODAY'S FLOWERS # 103

A predated post while I am on vacation in Seattle. Be back next week.

TODAY’S FLOWER’S was created by our good friend Luiz Santilli Jr.

You can find beautiful and unusual flowers from all over the world by clicking here.