yellow warbler

This little bird visits us in the mornings. 

Today: 6 a.m. - rocking that lime green.

Tap, tap, tapping on the window pane.

It has been everyday for a week now.
We will miss her if she moves on.

eternal flame falls

On our “leaf ride” this week we ventured to Chestnut Ridge Park, 

about six miles from New Era Field 

where our beloved Buffalo Bills play.

After lunch among the beautiful foliage we headed to 

the Eternal Flame Falls trail leading to a small waterfall

 located in the Shale Creek Preserve.

The hike isn't very long--only about 3/4 of a mile,

 but after about halfway, it did get a bit precarious.

The trail to the Eternal Flame can be rather slippery in places, 

especially once you descend into the Gorge 

and begin walking in the creek bed.

A small grotto at the waterfall's base emits natural gas, 

which has been lit to produce a small flame. 

This flame is visible nearly year round.

The shale from which Eternal Flame Falls 

draws its gas is
cooler, younger and shallower, 

than typical gas-bearing shale.

It was an adventurous hike 

through a peaceful forest 

with beautiful views 

to reach the 

“flame behind the waterfall”

river walk

Enjoying a morning walk along the Allegheny River

with three handsome sons, three lovely ladies, 

and one adorable baby

morning walk

A new walking route this morning 

through McCormick Place

up the access stairs

along the canal

 through Sunflower Landing

past the pond

 and back to Summer Hill

 What to join us some day?

4,400 steps, 1.75 miles, 40 minutes

pool ducks

Every spring before we open our pool a pair of ducks visit each evening and each morning. Recently the female duck stopped coming so we assume she is nesting somewhere and the male duck comes alone.



Then one day he brought a friend.



Then the next day he brought two friends.



So . . . dad is swimming and having fun
while mom is busy hatching those ducklings.



same story year after year . . . 

seventy-five degrees

Indian summer in western New York.
An autumn walk along the southern shore of Lake Ontario { last week }.

blue moon

Where will you be when the blue moon rises on Friday evening?

We will be on the southern shore of Lake Ontario raising a glass of Blue Moon Ale and eating a Moon Pie with friends.



For more than half a century, whenever two full Moons appeared in a single month (which happens on average every 2 1/2 to 3 years), the second has been christened a "Blue Moon." {Farmer's Almanac}

love is in the air

Mating season at the Venice, Florida rookery . . .

looks like a fire

When the sunset looks like this



The reflection in the middle school windows looks like this

more stalking

In April I was stalking my new neighbors as they moved in.
This summer I was stalking their baby bunnies.

Behind their garage . . .

Shhh ~ Get a little closer . . .

They are so very cute.

I just hope when they are hungry they don't visit our garden!

Three days later, my son spots a baby in our yard.
The photo is deceiving but this bunny is so small.

In the neighbor's yard ~ mama looking for that baby.

Please don't tell the neighbors that a few days later my son rescued
one of the babies from our cat and we hope she doesn't find it again.

A week later Jim is mowing the lawn and
spots one of the babies in the front yard.

Before I could get the camera it ran under this plant.
At least the cat didn't get them all!

meteorological spring

Even though spring doesn't officially begin until March 20th,
I learned today that March 1st begins the meteorological spring
{because the coldest 3 months are behind us}.
So . . . welcome Spring!

[actually this garden is still covered with snow but I love looking at it]

comfort of autumn

It is always hard to bid summer farewell. The slower pace, the morning porch sits, the evening sunset watch on the deck, the afternoon float in the pool with a good book, Wine-on-Wednesday gatherings in friend’s yards, fresh tomatoes (the one and only food we grow), taking a day trip on a moment's notice, visits to touch base with the children (Oswego, Towson, Philadelphia, Cambodia?-a bit too far for a visit so phone calls connect us). It was a good run although a bit cooler this year and we are ready for the comfort of autumn’s familiar traditions.

Wouldn’t you just love to sit a bit in this chair, clear you head,

listen to the sounds of nature, and ready yourself for the next season?!

photo from countryliving.com