kaleidoscope

Mercy Me - Homesick with lyrics

2010-04-23T15:25:00.001-05:00

For my cousin Laurie

Years Gone By

2010-02-06T19:12:00.003-06:00

I love old farm buildings, especially those that have

stories to tell from years gone by. The house and other buildings

have been gone for as long as I can remember, yet this crib remains

as a reminder of the strength it took for early settlers

to start new lives on the prairie.

Crocus

2010-02-06T19:06:00.001-06:00

My crocus are buried under mounds of snow,

but in a few short weeks they will emerge to

tell me spring is almost here!

Skittish

2010-01-28T20:29:00.003-06:00

This skittish, yet curious, young squirrel made me laugh as

it scurried from limb to limb. Each time it moved it would

look over at me as if to say, "Are you still watching?" :)

I derive so much enjoyment from watching nature!

White Frosting

2010-01-28T20:22:00.001-06:00

A little sugar for the eyes!

The Red Shoes

2010-01-18T19:11:00.002-06:00

Red glittered dancing shoes for my granddaughter. :)

Eat your heart out, Dorothy!

Wild Turkeys

2010-01-18T18:54:00.002-06:00

Native to North America, Wild Turkey flocks are abundant in Iowa.

It was once being considered to be named our national bird

rather than the Bald Eagle.

Nature's Fireworks

2010-01-16T16:40:00.004-06:00

Old Glory shines behind trees laden with sparkling hoar frost.

Poetry in Motion

2010-01-14T21:36:00.002-06:00

Poetry in Motion
Originally uploaded by kaleidoscope

Swoosh.....swoosh.....swoosh!

How they fly so close to one another amazes me!

Blue

2010-01-10T22:59:00.002-06:00

Blue
Originally uploaded by kaleidoscope

Blue was born in late spring and up until early December was skittish and untouchable. Now it's a whole new ballgame! He loves being petted and is always the first at the door when I open it to feed him and two of his siblings, Jumper and Miss Kitty. He has the most incredible blue eyes, hence my name for him.

Gaining Altitude

2010-01-10T20:59:00.001-06:00

Gaining Altitude
Originally uploaded by kaleidoscope

It's been almost a year since I've posted to my blog, but I resolve to do better in 2010!

Sunshine Scoop

2009-02-07T14:38:00.003-06:00

A beautiful tulip scoops up the

sunshine; perhaps to save it for a rainy day?

Flyover

2009-02-05T19:14:00.002-06:00

Bald Eagle flyover on the Des Moines River

Drifts

2009-02-03T00:31:00.002-06:00

Drifts of windblown snow

beautiful winter sculptures

hug primitive fence

Family Portrait

2009-02-03T00:27:00.001-06:00

Two adults and a cygnet (center). Note the position of their feet; when preparing to land the legs and feet are extended outward and the tail elevated to slow their momentum. Junior is still learning and hasn't moved his from the streamlined flying position. Dad is 'trumpeting' their arrival to the pond, a warning perhaps for others to clear the landing area?

Trumpeter Swan

2009-01-10T22:14:00.002-06:00

I spent New Year's day visiting Beemer Pond and the Trumpeter Swans I love so much. It is said what you experience on the first day of the year will be what you experience the rest of the year. Who could ask for more than this?!!

Chick, Chick, Chickadee!

2009-01-10T22:09:00.001-06:00

I love Black-capped Chickadees!

This pretty chickadee is hunkered down at one of my feeders. Their usual behavior is to grab a black sunflower seed and head for the trees to eat it, but not today! Lucky me! :)

~Determination~

2009-01-09T22:29:00.006-06:00

Snow,
heavy, wet snow
blankets canes and leaves.
Canes bend, tips gently touch the earth.
Leaves, curled and brown
become vessels of life.
Nature naps in winter
to bring new life in spring.

It is mouse?

2008-12-29T10:38:00.004-06:00

These tiny mouse footprints in the snow

remind me of a story.

When my daughter was about three years old, her aunt, my youngest sister, had a gerbil, Herbie Rumplestein IV, for a pet. It was not uncommon for my mother to catch a mouse in a trap every so often, and to be rid of it she would flush it down the toilet. Such an occurance happened one day when my daughter was visiting Grandma and with a very concerned voice she questioned, "It is mouse?", fearing Herbie Rumpleskin IV may have been the victim.:)

Number One Grandson

2008-12-29T10:33:00.001-06:00

Just yesterday he was a toddler

sticking his tongue out at his mother. :)

Sleeping Garden

2008-12-25T19:35:00.002-06:00

The garden slumbers; resting, rejuvenating, preparing

to emerge again at winter's end.

Winter Haiku

2008-12-25T18:43:00.004-06:00

Quiet reflection

snow laden branches shiver

winter awakens

Fun in the Yard!

2008-11-29T19:51:00.001-06:00

Three Behind the Tree

2008-11-29T19:11:00.003-06:00

Three of my favorite people in all of the world. :)

Yew Berry

2008-11-29T15:29:00.002-06:00

Blustery Day!

2008-11-29T15:25:00.003-06:00

My little feathered friend is fluffed to the max as she wards off the chill from the wind. She likes to perch on the raspberry canes, so I don't prune them until spring. :)

Pondering Goat

2008-11-29T15:24:00.002-06:00

Billy Goat Gruff appeared to be deep in thought as he watched children playing on the kiddy tractors at the local apple orchard. I think he was waiting for someone to buy and feed him some kibble from the machine near his huge pen and play area.

Meandering

2008-09-01T11:24:00.006-05:00

A common sight across the Iowa landscape is meandering

streams and dredge ditches.

I spotted this raccoon fishing for his dinner one sunny afternoon.

He seemed oblivious to my presence as I watched and photographed him.

Quiet Pines

2008-08-10T20:58:00.003-05:00

Barn~Storm

2008-08-10T20:50:00.002-05:00

A quiet country road but for the rolling thunder in the distance

Sky in the Pond

2008-08-10T19:31:00.002-05:00

Beautiful sky, glasslike water, breathtaking reflections!

Karl L. King Bandshell

2008-08-10T18:56:00.002-05:00

Located at Oleson Park, this beautiful bandshell recently underwent

major renovations. It was originally built as a project of the Works Progress Administration, one of the New Deal agencies created by President Franklin D. Roosevelt. Ground was broken in 1936.

Vivid!

2008-08-10T15:48:00.000-05:00

Peeking Bunny

2008-08-10T15:40:00.002-05:00

This bunny has been visiting my yard all summer long

and gets bolder as the days pass, coming closer and closer to the house.

Dusk~Soft~Light

2008-08-10T15:23:00.002-05:00

Storm Silhouette

2008-07-23T23:46:00.003-05:00

Conefower Duet

2008-07-23T23:41:00.000-05:00

Dewdrops on Hosta

2008-07-23T23:37:00.001-05:00

Iowa's Loess Hills

2008-07-22T19:35:00.003-05:00

Pronounced, 'luss', the beautiful, rolling Loess Hills

make up a large portion

of the western border of Iowa.

Bride Model

2008-07-14T22:22:00.002-05:00

I made Maddi her very own bridal veil for her 'dress-up' chest.

She modeled it for me and with each click of the camera

she would change position and strike a new pose. :)

Hummingbird

2008-07-13T20:18:00.002-05:00

This female Ruby-throated Hummingbird visits my delphiniums

almost daily, but she's a bit camera shy. :)

Taz/aka Grumpy

2008-07-13T20:10:00.003-05:00

Taz doesn't like to be bothered...............especially for photos!

Hollyhocks

2008-07-13T19:58:00.002-05:00

Childhood memories wouldn't be complete without remembering

the hollyhocks that grew beside almost every garage in the

neighborhood. Pink, red, white; their towering stalks were

abundant with beautiful flowers. If you were lucky enough to

have a push-on clothespin handy, you could make a doll, with the skirt

being made from the huge hollyhock flower.

Dreaming Chairs

2008-07-12T12:22:00.001-05:00

Chairs atop a hill overlooking a beautiful valley, perfect for pondering and dreaming

Weathered

2008-07-12T12:06:00.000-05:00

Old barn tucked into a hillside in the Loess Hills of Iowa

Pining

2008-07-12T11:57:00.002-05:00

Chicken begs at the door to be let out, but as her name suggests,

quickly wants back indoors where she feels safe.

De'light'ful!

2008-06-29T23:23:00.001-05:00

Where's the jelly?

2008-06-29T23:06:00.001-05:00

Shadows

2008-06-29T22:56:00.002-05:00

Sand Dollar

2008-04-13T22:55:00.002-05:00

I love the delicate intricacy of sand dollars.

Hungry Robin

2008-04-13T22:17:00.002-05:00

This hungry robin has dirt on his beak from digging in the dirt searching for worms.

Wood Duck

2008-04-13T22:11:00.006-05:00

Spring has arrived and this Wood Duck and his mate have built a nest nearby.

Ballet of the Trees

2008-03-04T21:42:00.001-06:00

Ballet of the Trees
Originally uploaded by kaleidoscope

Snow laden trees danced a ballet for passersby.

Posing

2008-03-04T21:41:00.001-06:00

Posing
Originally uploaded by kaleidoscope

"In every walk with nature one receives far more than he seeks."
John Muir

Radiant!

2008-03-04T21:40:00.001-06:00

Radiant!
Originally uploaded by kaleidoscope

Sometimes I do get to places just when God's ready to have somebody click the shutter.
Ansel Adams

Love the Downy!

2008-03-04T21:39:00.001-06:00

Love the Downy!
Originally uploaded by kaleidoscope

Spotted this little guy clinging to one of the giant sunflowers I grow for winter bird feeding. The plants get so top heavy I must tie them to shepherds hooks or 7 foot steel rods I embed into the ground.

Speed Racer

2008-02-14T18:58:00.001-06:00

Speed Racer
Originally uploaded by Finiky

This outstanding work is from my friend Finiky from over at Flickr. Fabulous!!

Trumpeter Swan Rescue

2008-02-02T18:09:00.001-06:00

Trumpeter Swan Rescue
Originally uploaded by kaleidoscope

Once nearly extinct, trumpeter swans were reintroduced to Iowa in 1995. Habitat loss and over-hunting led to the near-demise of the once common birds. Ninety-eight percent (98%) of Iowa's wetlands have been drained for the sake of the almighty dollar. Beemer Pond is located near Webster City, Hamilton County, Iowa, and is referred to by DNR biologists as 'the trumpeter swan capital of Iowa.' There are approximately 80 swans at the pond, dozens of Canadian geese and countless ducks.

Click on the photograph to read about the rescue!

Envy

2008-01-29T22:16:00.002-06:00

Envy
Originally uploaded by LeFion

This photograph is so beautiful it takes my breath away! A true master behind the lens, LeFion, is the wonderful photographer. Visit his Flickr pages, I promise you won't be disappointed!
http://flickr.com/photos/lefion/

Music in the Stillness

2008-01-27T22:02:00.001-06:00

Music in the Stillness
Originally uploaded by kaleidoscope

I parked my car near a bridge and was watching a pair of deer downstream from here, hoping they would wander close enough for a few pictures, when something startled them. They may have spotted me, but I had my camera on the tripod and was trying not to move. :) After they fled, I stayed there just to listen. The gently flowing water seemed to be singing and soon birds joined in the chorus.

Fog Light

2008-01-26T10:17:00.001-06:00

Fog Light
Originally uploaded by kaleidoscope

Early today the sun tried its best to break through the fog.

...and it's yellow

2007-12-31T18:15:00.001-06:00

...and it's yellow
Originally uploaded by kaleidoscope

The Friday before Christmas, my son-in-law took the children shopping to find something special for Mommy. After supper on Saturday, my sweet granddaughter (age 3) sought her out and asked her what she was doing. My daughter replied that she was putting away laundry. Maddi blurted, "Well, don't go down the basement! Your new bike is under the stairs and it's yellow!!"

Hey, give her a break, she's a girl and she made it over a day without telling. :)

Don't Eat Yellow Snow!

2007-12-31T18:10:00.001-06:00

Don't Eat Yellow Snow!
Originally uploaded by kaleidoscope

....even if you're the one that created it!

Dakota is growing so fast! She is 7 months old now and very well behaved for a pup that age. She's full of energy and loves to be petted. :)

This is NOT a squirrel...

2007-12-31T18:06:00.001-06:00

This is NOT a squirrel...
Originally uploaded by kaleidoscope

....it is a pig! The pig will consume his weight in sunflower seeds in a day!

Foggy Creek

2007-12-31T18:05:00.001-06:00

Foggy Creek
Originally uploaded by kaleidoscope

Coniferous

2007-11-22T22:20:00.001-06:00

Coniferous
Originally uploaded by kaleidoscope

I love trees.
Tall, coniferous trees that sway with the breeze, bend with the wind and survive the harshest of nature's elements.
I like people who exhibit the same qualities.

A Study in Nude

2007-11-18T12:39:00.001-06:00

A Study in Nude
Originally uploaded by kaleidoscope

Barren field and tree
slumber autumn and winter
awaken come spring

Believe!

2007-11-18T12:36:00.001-06:00

Inspired by Sheila
Originally uploaded by kaleidoscope

This was Kitty's first tree climbing experience and how to get down was quite an endeavor!

Chloe 1993-2007

2007-11-05T15:48:00.001-06:00

Chloe 1993-2007
Originally uploaded by Finiky

A dear friend, a kind and compassionate lover of kitties, had to let her sweet Chloe go to the Rainbow Bridge.

Warming Shack

2007-10-22T23:49:00.000-05:00

A reminder of what is on the horizon. I love snow!!

Tazzie

2007-10-22T23:18:00.000-05:00

Taz, my household's alpha cat. At thirteen years of age he's showing some gray here and there, but still loves to play.

Pumpkin Pi

2007-10-20T23:30:00.000-05:00

Pumpkins!

2007-10-20T23:28:00.000-05:00

Ballerina in Training

2007-10-17T22:09:00.000-05:00

The little lady loves to dance!

Colorburst!

2007-10-14T22:46:00.000-05:00

Cedar Waxwing

2007-10-14T22:38:00.000-05:00

Autumn Colors

2007-10-14T12:50:00.000-05:00

A Safe Place to Land

2007-10-14T11:29:00.000-05:00

Protective Mother

2007-10-13T23:48:00.000-05:00

Chicken

2007-10-13T23:41:00.000-05:00

Fluffed

2007-10-13T09:40:00.000-05:00

Monarch

2007-10-13T09:26:00.001-05:00

Scratching Post

2007-10-12T23:58:00.000-05:00

Hummingbird Moth

2007-10-12T22:20:00.000-05:00

White-lined Sphinx