WALKIN', WRITIN', WIT & WHIMSY

Familiar places (and faces)!

Posted on May 17, 2026 by Linda Schaub

After a month of “March Weather Madness” Mother Nature shone, although she would soon lose her accolades when we had a week of wild, wacky, severe weather following that dazzling day. This is why you seize the day when you get the chance to get out and about!

It was April 11th and my first trip to Heritage Park in 2026. As I was about to step onto the sidewalk that leads me to the historical section, I saw this beautiful Robin, pictured above, a true sign of Spring, although admittedly many of our Robins, Michigan’s State Bird, hang out all Winter now. Surely it is not because the Winters are nicer than migrating to a warmer climate? But, there it was, singing away merrily in a tree, until it saw me and got a grumpy look, something that I often see on American Robins’ faces. I find they have a rather sullen demeanor sometimes.

The Heritage Park flags on every lamp post heralded the current season.

I headed straight to the gazebo area, hoping to see a mess o’ Mallards and Canada Geese, but to my surprise I saw only one Mallard pair, that quickly ducked me by plunging underwater. I never caught up with them and, for a park that has so many ducks, these were the only ducks, (in and around Coan Lake, anyway).

Happily, I did catch up with some Petting Farm “escapees” later in my walk.

It was a calm day, the water was still and perfect for reflections. This Canada Goose seemed eager to pose, both profile and head on for me – no I didn’t entice it with corn, fish or treats … there were plenty of fish, though I’m not sure I want to sully this post by including pictures of all the huge, bloated, dead fish floating in Coan Lake.

Just as I went to walk away, my subject gave me the side-eye as if to say “didn’t you want to take any more shots – surely two were not enough!” Perhaps it was shy while preening, but because it continued to look at me, I returned and got these shots.

My next stop would be at the covered bridge where I glanced up into the rafters for signs of Barn Swallow nests – I figured it was too early for that as I don’t usually see them until June and I had guessed correctly.

Likewise, a glance to my left assured me that even though the sun was shining brightly, it was not warm; I was in a Winter coat, hat, gloves and wearing sweats, so I was not surprised the turtles stayed away from their ramp.

It felt good to be back here, ready to watch this lovely park blossom out from the flowering trees, not to mention seeing all the familiar places around the historical area that YOU and I know so well, like the covered bridge …

… the Little Red Schoolhouse …

… or the water-powered Mill.

I would have included the train and caboose and the Old Log Cabin, but there were fences around these familiar sights. Since it was a weekend visit, I couldn’t tell if it was restoration or repairs … so I didn’t take any photos.

If you have followed me for a while, you know my Spring routine – visit Heritage Park in early Spring, stop by the big boulders and look for this young lady and her main squeeze. I call them Mama and Papa Goose.

Just like clockwork, Mama-to-be was sitting on a nest in the boulders with Papa-to-be close by her side. I have watched and documented this nesting period and then followed up by taking pictures of the family every Spring. I am not an expert in telling these Canada Geese families apart – what I can tell you is that this pair of geese is the first to start their family at Heritage Park. I’ve been following them now for the last five or six years.

This goose is also the only goose that prefers spending approximately 25 – 30 days incubating her eggs on the boulders. Ouch! It’s not always the same side of the boulders either. Notice how she cushions the eggs and around the nest with her own downy feathers. I took pictures from different angles so you could see this downy cushion. It’s more obvious in the second and third photos.

And below you see that Papa Goose was not far away. He watched me very closely, but I think after all these years they both recognize me. He stood on a rock in Coan Lake, studying my every move …

… while his mate shut her eyes, perhaps enjoying a few rays of sun in the 45F/7C morning temps and you see how she drifted off thinking “is that pesky photographer back again?”

While I was taking photos of the pair, a woman came up to me and remarked what an uncomfortable spot Mama Goose had chosen to nest. I replied “I wonder about her choice too, although she is here every year and I always take pictures of her – with all the people nearby, she must feel safe after all this time.” The woman seemed surprised that I kept coming back to take photos and I told her it was for my blog and also to “chat it up with the old girl.” She laughed and said “you must call her by a name, right?” I replied “I call her “Mrs. Goose” or “Mama Goose” and then added “perhaps I need to have more imagination, don’t I?”

[I did return to photograph the pair’s offspring and you’ll see those shots in this post’s postscript.]

It looks like someone else was in nesting mode. It is not unusual to see most of the lamp post heads with nesting materials and babies in them every Springtime. The lights are open on one side.

The parents-to-be were my primary reason for visiting Heritage Park, although I also hoped to see a little color at the Taylor Conservatory and Botanical Gardens. We had had such rainy and sometimes cold weather that I had not seen a single Crocus or Daffodil in the ‘hood and it was much too early for Tulips.

But, before I get to the Botanical Gardens, I must first meander along Pardee Road past the Petting Farm which is on the outskirts of the Heritage Park Campus. And, as you all know, there are often shenanigans with impromptu meet-ups at and around the Farm.

For example, there is a very loud Blue Ameraucana Rooster that rules the roost at this venue and he crows very loudly and often; well, I got to meet him in person. Doesn’t he strike a stunning profile here? He pranced along Pardee Road in front of the Farm’s fence that is supposed to keep the critters inside the barnyard. I must find out his name. 🙂

As I rounded the corner of the Farm going toward the Botanical Gardens, a passel of domestic ducks came waddling away from the side of the building. They appeared to be on a mission. I was only able to photograph this slowpoke escapee that you see in the foreground.

The four ducks went straight to the parking lot – not a good thing I thought, but they stayed on the sidewalk, checking out the grass … yes, the grass must be greener (and tastier) on the other side of the fence after all. They hung out as a group and weren’t all that skittish as I approached them for some photos, even though they eventually turned their backs on me and went off to sample more grass.

Too bad there weren’t two more ducks and it would have looked like the Beatles crossing Abbey Road – these are a Khaki Campbell Duck (left) and an Ancona Duck (right – it is the slowpoke referenced earlier).

The ducks were a little bit fickle or must have tired of their vagabond ways and they eventually headed back to the Farm, each one ducking under the white wooden fence designed to keep the critters contained.

I went to visit the Botanical Gardens and, as you can see in this shot, it was not ready for prime time yet, as that saying goes.

A huge Christmas wreath was still hung near the not-yet-in-bloom Espalier Pear tree that winds around the arbor entrance to the Gardens and even the Christmas lights were still in place. I was surprised to see the Christmas tree in the center of the Conservatory, still adorned with decorations and lights. Well, they usually recruit a slew of volunteers, not only to help with the early Spring and late Fall gardening chores, but to put the Christmas holiday décor away too.

The Espalier Pear was similarly not ready to be showcased and photographed as you see here.

In front of the Conservatory was a beautiful Weeping Cherry Tree dripping with blossoms.

In the Botanical Gardens I found some cheery-looking Daffodils …

… but that was it for color on this day. It was a great day to be out and about and I lingered a while, knowing, as mentioned above, the upcoming week was predicted to be a washout and fraught with severe weather, which did indeed come to fruition.

Postscript: I usually return to Heritage Park about every 10 days or so after I first see Mama Goose on her nest. Since I have no idea how long Mama’s been sitting on that nest, this schedule works best to see the babies. Because they are always the first geese to proudly show off their young, they’re easy to find. This Spring was different though. My car was in the shop, being fixed/painted after I returned from shopping one day to find a huge scrape on the car’s fender. I finally got the car back on May 12^th, hightailed it to Heritage Park the very same day, only to find six different Canada Geese families in different stages of growth. Hmm – I can only speculate this was the little family as they were the most “grown up” of all the goslings there.

Was there a spark of recognition in the parents’ eyes when they saw me? I’d like to think so, but that would be my wild imagination perhaps.

Family ties cannot be broken.

I did observe something interesting as I stood, camera in hand, gazing at the geese families gathered on the grassy slope by Coan Lake. For no reason that I could fathom, this large gosling decided to chase some small goslings – here he/she is hissing and waddling toward them.

Watch the reaction of the parents of the younger goslings as Bad, Bad Leroy Brown approaches – see how Mama and Papa react, lowering their heads to the ground, those pink tongues hissing, tail feathers fanned out and their goslings gathered closer to their parents. A lot of drama, but they are defending their family!

Crisis averted thanks to the parents – now it was time to cuddle and snuggle with your favorite sibling!

Terri’s Sunday Stills Challenge this week is: “Family and Friends” and I’ll be linking to Pepper’s “One Step at a Time” on Tuesday as well as Terri’s “Flower Hour”.

Posted in #Flower Hour,, #One step at a time, nature, Seasons, Spring, walk, walking | Tagged Canada Geese, Family is important!, Flowers, nature, Seasons, Spring, walk, walking | 2 Comments

Striped Squill and two bonus bees to boot! #Wordless Wednesday #Ahh, the joy of Spring!

Posted on May 13, 2026 by Linda Schaub

Wordless Wednesday – allow your photo(s) to tell the story.

Posted in #Flower Hour,, #WildlifeWednesday, #Wordless Wednesday, Flowers | Tagged #WildlifeWednesday, #Wordless Wednesday, Bees, Flowers | 34 Comments

Your mom loves you …

Posted on May 10, 2026 by Linda Schaub

… even if she had/has to give you a push to steer you in the right direction sometimes.

Yep, here you were thinking that only human moms do these things, nudging their babies, toddlers, teenagers, even adult children to toe the line. 🙂

Today’s post is part two of a long walk taken at Lake Erie Metropark on Mother’s Day, Sunday, May 11, 2025 – part one was featured last week; please click here if you missed it.

At the end of last week’s post, I had just arrived at the Osprey nesting platform on Lee Road, down the street from the Marina. This was the first sighting of the pair that usually returns to this venue every Spring.

Upon my arrival, I saw the Osprey pair, Mr. and Mrs., facing opposite ways. Okay, I get it – someone got up on the wrong side of the nest. Yes, that happens with human too.

I hung out on the cross-street, Milleville Road, dodging the occasional vehicle that went around the curve and slowed down at the stop sign. Each driver saw me, with my head tilted back while craning my neck, hoping for a little Osprey action – perhaps the male dashing off for a fish for breakfast, or returning home to the twiggy abode with that perfect stick to finish the nest in anticipation of the incubation and hatching of the chicks. The platform nest at this venue is very tall – I’ve been unsuccessful finding out its height though. As a general rule, Ospreys return to their existing nest every year, just adding to it with new sticks and other nesting materials. Their nests can be up to five feet wide (152 cm). I stayed about 20 minutes, but I couldn’t tell if Mama was sitting on eggs, as she and her main squeeze perched on or around the nest.

The male Osprey perched on this stick and was looking mean, albeit also a bit comical with his feathers blowing about from the stiff wind that morning.

Every so often he turned his head around to his mate as if to say “did you call me Honey?”

With nothing going on, I told them “well guys, I’ll be back to check on you in a few weeks – perhaps you’ll give me some insight into whether there are eggs or chicks in the nest, along with a photo op or two and an attitude adjustment.” I returned on May 25th and June 1st and got more photos, which I’ve shared already, but I still had no clue as to the status of any Osprey offspring.

I retraced my steps, having left the Marina and marsh to stroll along Cove Point again. I was successful in getting a few more shots of Tree Swallows “reserving” the Bluebird nesting boxes for their respective mates, by plunking themselves on top of the boxes and not moving. Because of the wind along the shoreline, the Swallows had to brace themselves and hunker down, like these guys did.

I continued on my journey, headed for the Cherry Island Trail in search of moms and babies, if any were to be had. I knew it might be early for Mallard Ducks and ducklings and, just as I suspected, I didn’t see any that morning, but I saw one Canada Goose family with only three goslings.

Mom, Dad and the kids are seen in the photos below and Mom and the kids are in the image up top.

The goslings were all over the map, to the left, then to the right … they finally regrouped and zoomed to another area, lining up nicely between their parents, then following them.

Having watched the many Canada Geese families at Council Point Park through the years, I never cease to be amazed just how quickly the goslings go from tiny, lemon-yellow fluffballs to sleek, grayish-colored young geese. It’s hard to believe a steady diet of grass, with a dandelion or two tossed in, is that nutritious to grow so steadily in record time.

After a long walk, I knew I would be happy to sit down once I got to the parking lot and my car, but, at the last minute, I stretched my meander just a little longer, opting to walk over to the Offshore Fishing Bridge in the off-chance I might see the Sandhill Cranes. It would have made my day if I were to see the couple, especially if Mama was sitting on a nest on that grassy island they call home, but, as would happen many times in 2025, the Sandhill Crane couple was MIA.

No luck seeing the pair here, but I spotted something white across the marsh and hustled over. I saw a pair of Mute Swans, the female on a nest, the male lurking close by.

I hurriedly took some shots, even though I was far enough away that the male was not going to mess with me for disturbing his missus. I think he was sleeping in the above shot. Ever since the male Mute Swan chased me down at Council Point Park a few years ago, I always keep my distance.

At the time I did not realize this pair of swans and their offspring would become the subject of two blog posts later in 2025.

The first time, for a Wordless Wednesday post, the photo featured six small cygnets wedged between their parents. Here they were on June 1st.

The second post about the family, showed the cygnets all grown up, right at this venue where Mom chose to nest. (click here). It had photos from two more sightings.

I was amazed how quickly they grew in six weeks on July 21st, my second sighting …

… and when I saw them on August 28th, the six cygnets were almost as big as the adults.

I hope they return here to nest and raise their family in 2026.

I’ve done another watercolor painting – this time to use for my Mother’s Day post. I originally intended to split up the Mama and baby Bluebird within the post, but in the end, I left the image just as I photographed it.

I’ll leave you with a lovely quote by Robert Browning: “Motherhood: All love begins and ends there.”

Happy Mother’s Day to you if it applies!

I am joining Terri’s Monthly Color Challenge: Pink and Pastels. There were no wildflowers that day, but I have watercolor birdies and blossoms in pastel shades. I am also joining Pepper’s One Step at a Time and will link to both later.

Posted in birds, holiday, Mother's Day, nature, walk, walking | Tagged #One step at a time, #Sunday Stills Color Challenge, birds, holiday, Mother's Day, nature, walk, walking | 61 Comments

Where’s Waldo? #Wordless Wednesday #Why, he’s lost in the Lotus leaves!

Posted on May 6, 2026 by Linda Schaub

Wordless Wednesday – allow your photo(s) to tell the story.

Posted in #Flower Hour,, #WildlifeWednesday, #Wordless Wednesday, birds, nature | Tagged #Flower Hour Photo Challenge, #WildlifeWednesday, #Wordless Wednesday, birds, Great Egret, nature | 25 Comments

Mother’s Day marsh meander.

Posted on May 3, 2026 by Linda Schaub

Sunday, May 11, 2025 was a gorgeous day and I took advantage of the sunny morning when I set out on a very long walk at Lake Erie Metropark. It was picture-perfect, not only for me, but also for all the mothers who would be celebrating their special day, i.e. Mother’s Day. Before I would return to the car in the early afternoon, I had crisscrossed this 1,607-acre Metropark on foot, seeking to enjoy nature and fill up my camera card.

Today will be part one of that long walk; next week will be part two and will focus on all the birdies and their babies, even a few expectant moms, I saw along the Cherry Island Trail with a nod to Mother’s Day 2026. I was my shutter-happy self with a spring in my step on that Spring-y day.

Well, I didn’t know where to start and, when it is not hot and humid, I always park once and crisscross the park on foot, lingering in all my favorite spots. I took a left to make my first stop at the overlook where the Barn Swallows hang out. Oops – too early for them I guessed as I saw no Swallows zooming around. I wasn’t happy to find the scraggly dead tree was gone, the only place I ever see those Swallows perch and pause to catch their breath from their endless efforts to catch insects in flight. I peered over the side of the overlook as if I might see their raggedy perch sticking out of the water. I spun around and headed the opposite way muttering to myself “I hope they have a Plan B for R&R.”

Meandering along Cove Point.

I decided to walk along beautiful Cove Point – perhaps I’d glimpse a freighter, but there were none. Unbelievably, just like that (snapping fingers), the breeze picked up. It was calm when I left the house – heck, it was calm when I left the car some 15 minutes earlier. Grrr! It was windy and wavy now as you can see in these photos below, some waves encroaching onto the boulders along the shoreline.

As I walked along the path that runs parallel to the shoreline, I was on the lookout for any inhabitants in the Bluebird nesting boxes. When I got my first Metropark pass in 2018, I took several guided walks led by Metropark interpreters. I also took a few boat trips, that unfortunately ceased running after the pandemic began and never started back up again. I learned that a slew of bird enthusiasts had volunteered to construct and erect Bluebird nesting boxes all along Cove Point – they look like these pictured below.

While that volunteer work was admirable, the guide explained that the Tree Swallows have overtaken those nesting boxes, a fact I will attest to. Every year, Tree Swallow males stake out a nesting box and soon thereafter the female disappears inside to lay eggs and tend to the young. I see this every Spring, but I’ve never seen their offspring, nor a Bluebird, anywhere in the park. Here is one of those nesting boxes with a male claiming “first dibs” on it.

I continued on the path toward the marina. I didn’t see any pleasure boats out, likely because of the holiday and, when I when I rounded the corner at Marina Point to head down Lee Road, there was no activity at any of the 100 wells at the Marina.

The waterfowl and waders were out and about.

To the left is the Marina and to the right is a wetland area that runs alongside Lee Road. It was here, enroute to the Osprey platform/nest that I paused and took all these photos. The reeds were just starting to green up, but even with the blah, straw-colored landscape, unlike the windy conditions on the open waters at Cove Point, the water was not choppy, the wind was manageable and the calm waters made nice reflections.

This trio of Canada Geese was sedate until they were spooked by Yours Truly.

They left behind a buddy who was content to take in the peaceful morning by him/herself as you see in the featured image and below.

The Great Egret was busy fishing and paid me no mind, so …

… I zoomed in for some close-up shots.

I think he/she liked the attention and waded over closer to me. 🙂

The Great Blue Heron, was wading through what I figured was still very chilly water, peering occasionally for its breakfast, with no luck, so it flew away – perhaps it would have better luck there.

A pair of Mallards paddled in and out of the reeds.

A Mute Swan studied this patch of dried-up grass like it was something it had never seen before.

Two old tree branches, each filled with sunbathing turtles, were tucked in a corner away from all the waterfowl. With no room to spare, the turtles made the most of minimum space didn’t they? One fell backward, plopping into the marsh water just after I took the first picture.

The walk was peaceful and culminated with me craning my neck upward to watch the Osprey nest and its surly occupants that glared down at me. What stage of the nesting process were we on May 11th: were we still gathering sticks and tidying up the nest, sitting on the eggs, or just taking it easy on this lazy Sunday morn? You’ll see those pictures of the Osprey pair in next week’s post.

Posted in #One step at a time, birds, holiday, nature, walk, walking | Tagged #One step at a time, Egrets, geese, herons, nature, Spring, walk, walking | 33 Comments

Water Lilies after the rain. #Wordless Wednesday #Koi pond at Emily Frank Gardens

Posted on April 29, 2026 by Linda Schaub

Wordless Wednesday – allow your photo(s) to tell the story.

Posted in #Flower Hour,, #Wordless Wednesday, nature | Tagged #Flower Hour Photo Challenge, #Wordless Wednesday, Flowers, nature | 42 Comments

Pause, reflect, then move along.

Posted on April 26, 2026 by Linda Schaub

It’s gosling time, or it soon will be. It’s a chance to ooh and aah at babies, but lest you get within spittin’ distance of those feathered darlings, their Papa will hiss, flap his wings, or even run toward you, wings spread wide open … no, that’s not to be confused with welcoming you to the family! Steer clear of them and give them wide berth!

So far, I’ve not seen any goslings at Council Point Park, but I’ve been toting the camera anyway, because, as you know, the one day you don’t carry the camera, is the day Papa and Mama will guide their offspring out of the water, up the Creek bank and they will make their official debut on land. You have to wonder how and where they kept those squeaky little babies under cover since they hatched?

It was NOT gosling time when I took these pictures of some of Elizabeth Park’s many Canada Geese, while they were preening, paddling around in the Canal, or parading through the fallen leaves. I wondered how many of these geese were the subject of my posts when I took photos of them back in the Spring?

This stroll was taken on October 10^th last year. I intended it to be my official “Walktober” post, but the lack of vibrant leaves made me find an alternative venue, as well as topic. I went on a Halloween-type stroll instead at lovely Heritage Park.

I love taking photos of water reflections.

There were several geese that separated themselves from the rest of the group, er … gaggle, so I was able to get these up-close photos.

They look very serene, don’t they? A group of geese in the water is also called a plump.

There is always that one goose that gives you “the look” – sometimes it is dismissive, like “don’t bother me human!” Below you see I got a glimpse, a side-eye and a “go away” in the space of one minute. And no, I didn’t utter the word “plump” while looking at him/her.

Nothing like a peaceful morning and geese that aren’t too cantankerous.

I already knew the leaf peepin’ wasn’t going to be stellar.

Southeast Michigan’s moderate drought in 2025 not only made for a miserably hot and humid Summer, lowered water levels at every marsh and body of water I frequent, but made for the poor display of vibrant leaves in Autumn. The leaves turned subtle shades of yellow, maybe an orangey-red, then dropped, wiggling free with the frequent gusty winds we encountered. They dropped to the ground, crumpling up, just brown and brittle-looking piles of leaves everywhere. Elizabeth Park was always a sight to see by October, the Fall leaves resplendent in jewel tones, mostly golden from the many old Oak trees.

But on this gorgeous October day, this was the best Mother Nature could do. I was not the only person strolling on this perfect Autumn day.

As I was strolling along the circular road that serves as the island park’s only road, a one-way street shared by cars, bikes and pedestrians, I watched the geese strutting around in the dry leaves, no doubt seeking out some good-eatin’ grass as it was still green.

The squirrels were running around gathering acorns which were plentiful. Even if the Oak trees didn’t produce colorful leaves, they still dropped their acorns. So many to eat …

… and so many to bury!

Since I had visited this venue last, the park’s perimeter road, a/k/a Elizabeth Drive, had been revitalized. The park was closed for several days to get this paving and striping done and it now sported lanes for pedestrians, bikes and cars. Interestingly, someone had spraypainted “WE” on every place where the asphalt had been marked with this sign.

I was enjoying the quiet morning and as I strolled along the Boardwalk …

… I was taking a few shots, like this Juvenile Ring-billed Seagull, at first interested in the shutter clicks, then not so interested …

I paused to take a photo of this Woolly-Bear Caterpillar and, if you remember the legend of this fellow, the larger the black segments are on its body, the worse the Winter will be. I was happy to see it had NO black segments meaning a mild Winter, but …

… knowing now what I do about our wicked Winter, I know a caterpillar’s segments are not a great weather prognosticator and it is 100% folklore!

I kept moving along while headed to my car which I had parked by the Canal vehicle bridge.

Wild wings – the call of the wild.

At the Canal shoreline, the Canada geese, so sedate an hour ago when I began my walk, were all aflutter about something and, after consulting with their signal caller, about a dozen of them took flight. You may call them a bunch of geese, but if you want to be a bird nerd, the terminology for a group of geese in flight is a skein, team, or wedge.

A few stragglers were grabbing a bite of grass and got a slow start.

Try as I may, I’ve never gotten great shots of them lifting off, playing follow the leader, as they take to the air with a whirring of wings and a cacophony of honks. Soon they had passed right over me.

Whew – safe, I think. I always wonder “should I duck, protect my head by flipping up my hood?” Well, of course, that works if you’re wearing a hooded jacket or hoodie, but otherwise, you’re out of luck. Even a wide-brimmed sunhat doesn’t mean you’ll be exempt from droppings when a flock of Canada Geese are flying overhead. You could say “well, it’s all about the nature experience …” but that doesn’t really fly, does it? Excuse that bad pun by the way. I mean, poop-strewn trails are one thing; poop adorning one’s ‘do is another thing entirely.

All kidding aside, I always marvel when the Canada Geese fly in V-formation. It’s like when I hear the Goodyear Blimp overhead. My head immediately swivels upward, my hand shielding my eyes from the sun – I pay attention to both.

As to the geese, it doesn’t matter how many of them are passin’ through, or, if it is a loosely constructed “V” or a huge, perfect “V” – I always wonder, who decides to pick the leader to lead the rest? I thought it was the biggest gander, maybe deemed to be the leader by his peers, or, was it just any of the geese who decided to leave right then? So, I posed the question to Google and learned “the leadership role is rotated frequently because leading is energy-intensive.” Smithsonian Magazine said “the rest of the flock conserves energy so when the lead goose tires, it rotates with other geese, so a fresh bird takes the lead.”

And people call birds “birdbrains” – looks like they have the aerodynamics and sharing-the-load thing all figured out, don’t they?

Terri’s Sunday Stills Photo Challenge this week is “April is National Garden Month” and, since I’ve shared my woes over losing my entire butterfly garden and did not plant another one, I’ll link to Terri’s Flower Hour Challenge with my Wordless Wednesday post instead. I am also participating in Pepper’s weekly walking/hiking Challenge One Step at a Time every Tuesday.

Posted in #One step at a time, birds, nature, Uncategorized, walk, walking | Tagged #One step at a time, birds, Fall, Leaves, nature, walk, walking | 51 Comments

It’s Earth Day, so here’s a tree hugger for you! #Wordless Wednesday #Eastern Gray Squirrel

Posted on April 22, 2026 by Linda Schaub

Wordless Wednesday – allow your photo(s) to tell the story.

Posted in #WildlifeWednesday, #Wordless Wednesday, event, nature | Tagged #WildlifeWednesday, #Wordless Wednesday, Earth Day, nature, tree hugger | 44 Comments

Pollinator Pals.

Posted on April 19, 2026 by Linda Schaub

It was July 24, 2025 when I took this stroll at Heritage Park. I was double-dipping, picture-wise, because my purpose for being at this venue that day was to walk and take photos for my virtual 5K “Running to Honor” event. I always go the day before the actual event. “Running to Honor” acknowledges those living veterans who suffer from PTSD as a result of their military service and additionally memorializes those military personnel lost on the battlefield, or who took their life after battling PTSD.

As I walked through Heritage Park, I always try to keep the photos for the event’s post low key, so I usually aim for beauty, as opposed to baby Barn Swallows glaring at me from their nest in the covered bridge rafters, or the antics of ducks and geese, even the occasional barnyard critters like chickens or Guinea Pea Fowl that stroll over from the nearby Petting Farm. As I recounted that walk, I filled my post with lots of red, white and blue images, most of them flowers. You can read the post about that 5K walk here in case you missed it.

During my long stroll that day, I stopped at the pretty-in-pink pollinator garden filled with Bee Balm and Coneflowers. It was there I found a busy bumblebee and a Black Swallowtail Butterfly, both nestled deep inside some of the abundant Coneflowers. I decided these shots, far less than my normally picture-laden posts, would be perfect to tuck away for Earth Day 2026.

The bee’s knees!

This old-time expression, unbelievably from a century ago, means an outstanding person or thing. Well, it was great that I was up close and personal to this winged wonder, so I could study this bee’s knees and take pictures as well. They weren’t knobby either! 🙂

No fear about being stung – this bumblebee was engrossed in collecting pollen and no, I was not using a DSLR with a big zoom lens, just my digital compact camera with its 12X zoom. The bee’s translucent wings were glinting in the sunlight and I imagined how soft and furry it must feel. This busy bee didn’t seem to mind me hovering around it, taking photos as it was buried deep in the Coneflower.

Butterflies in my stomach!

This is another expression that has been used for 70+ years and is akin to another phrase we often use: all aflutter. The former phrase I really have to scratch my head over, as it almost disparages the butterfly, a beautiful creature that undergoes a metamorphosis like no other, transforming from a wiggly caterpillar, to a chrysalis and ends up as a winged beauty. It is the insect version of the fairytale character we know as Cinderella. Is there anything more delicate and beautiful than a butterfly alighting on a flower, its slender antennae moving slightly as it gently steadies its four feet securely onto a flower to sip its nectar?

This Black Swallowtail Butterfly was in excellent condition, not a single mar on those powdered wings as you see when it is flattened out against the Coneflower in these two pictures.

Even in profile, it is equally exquisite.

This Wednesday, April 22^nd is Earth Day.

Originally, I had a different angle for this portion of the post, one that was somewhat dire and mentioned how climate change is harming Earth and its inhabitants. But you all know the story already – you also know how pesticides are harmful to everyone, from bees to butterflies to birds – even us.

So instead of delving into the consequences of pesticides and pollution and what they do to our pollinators, I did a 180 and instead chose to focus on the good news. These are three, short, feel-good blurbs I recently saw on some nature sites I follow on social media. I was pleased (and quite honestly surprised) to read about the population of the Monarch Butterflies which migrate to Mexico where they overwinter. I understood their situation was dire, but this is positive news!

And this is an excellent idea to help our birds and bees. Yes, it is in Denmark; we are ALL inhabitants of Mother Earth though. I wonder if we implement anything of this nature here?

I found this incredulous – can you imagine 32,000 years ago there were bees buzzing and butterflies flitting amongst these flowers? And here is one of those flowers thanks to squirrels … you know my affinity for squirrels, so bless their hearts.

So, may we always have these …

… so we will always have these.

We can all help out Mother Earth by lending a hand, no matter how small, to help sustain life, from the tiniest beings and beyond … after all, we human beings are lumped in here as well, i.e. we all share the planet, right?

I will leave you with this quote:

If you truly love nature, you will find beauty everywhere. – Vincent Van Gogh

Terri’s Sunday Stills Challenge this week is: Celebrating Earth Day (April 22). I am also joining Pepper’s Walking/Hiking Challenge One Step at a Time which is every Tuesday.