Zoocicle

We needed to buy our zoo pass for this year, so as long as the sun was shining, the temperature was nearing 30 (above) and the roads were (relatively) clear, I took a spin down there this noon. After paying for the new pass, I discovered that somehow my camera had come along with me. So I gave in to the inevitable. Here are the results. Larger versions are in my gallery for those of my fans  like to use them as backgrounds.

The antelopes were a little skittish, although this one posed for me pretty well. I think maybe they’ve forgotten what it’s like to be stared at by thousands of people every day. (Last Thursday, during our most recent snowstorm, the zoo had a total of 13 visitors. I was about number 130 today. It’s a LOT different in the winter.)

I like ice and water a lot, probably because I spent my youth in New York’s North County. This was one of the fountains that that’s still running.

This one’s for my grandson Ryan, who will be concerned about how the train is doing.

I shot this from quite a distance. The Panny Super-zoom did a nice job for me.

This little evergreen is only about a foot tall.

I like how the shadows and the drifts are playing together here.

The aviary was closed, so I had to shoot through the fence. This stork (?) was pacing in the stream.

Ice and water again.

Snow and pine needles work well together even after the holidays.

I don’t like this picture. But I worked hard trying to make it likable.

That’s it for this time.

Snow and pine needles work well together even after the holidays.

The Zoo

I’ve not felt well for a month. That, along with a heavy work load, has kept me pretty much house- and office-bound for a little too long. This morning the weatherman promised some sun (which lasted about 15 minutes), so I decided to get out and go for a walk at the zoo. Once the leaves fall off the trees here, it’s kind of hard to find pretty, so I was happy there was a bit of beauty here and there among the browns.

Larger versions in my gallery.

And a couple of bugs just for good measure:

Saylorville Lake Revisited

The sun was shining this afternoon so I gave in to temptation. Here are a few more:

Saylorville Lake

I’m in Ankeny, Iowa this week getting my annual dose of dispensational, pre-millennial Bible teaching from Dr. John Whitcomb. Spending time listening to this man teach has become a highlight for me in recent years, and has had a huge impact on the things that I do and teach. So I’m having fun.

Well, except for the “wonderful” weather today, which has been overcast, drizzly, and humid. Seeing as Monday is usually my “day off,” I had hoped I’d be able to get some pictures. And I did manage to sneak in a photo walk at Saylorville Lake by spacing it between fits of drizzle. Unfortunately, my camera much prefers the bright sunshine, so I didn’t have high hopes for the pix I took. In the end, I’m very happy with one of them and some of the others aren’t bad, I guess.

So here, especially for Jan, who would much prefer to be taking photo walks with me than putting up with having to work, are the day’s photos. As always, for those who find they like them well enough to use as wallpaper, there are larger versions in my gallery.

Cars in the Garden

I suspect that my grandboys get bored with all of the flower and other “pretty” pictures I take. So, just for them, here are pictures I took this afternoon at one of my favorite “pretty” places, Lauritzen Gardens. No flowers. This time, boys, we have CARS! (It was a show all of foreign-built cars. I parked my Kia across from a Mercedes and down way the from a Ferrari. It seemed perfectly comfortable there. And there was a real pretty brand-new Camaro in the lot, too, but I didn’t take its picture.)

Some Flowers and a Frog

Took a quick walk through Lauritzen Gardens yesterday. Here are a few pics. Bigger and better ones in my gallery.

Wilson Island

School starts here Monday, so today was Jan’s last Friday of “freedom.” We drove up the river on the Iowa side to Wilson Island State Park and walked around a bit. Here are a few pictures. I think the ones of the yellow flowers came out especially well.

Just one today

I took this at Lauritzen Gardens this afternoon. I’m pretty happy with it, although I’m not sure about the crop. The larger size is definitely better.

Hometown

I grew up in DeKalb Junction, New York, a small hamlet in what is called the “North Country.” I’ve spent the last ten days or so with my parents, so have been taking my daily health walks around town. Here, for memories’ sake (and for the grandkids) are some pictures.

Here is the house in which I grew up:

This building I knew as the “dial office.” I can remember when my dad and grandfather built it. Dad worked here when he wasn’t out in the countryside:

Many years ago the railroad was built here and the town grew up around the tracks. Trains still come through, but not quite as often and many of the tracks have been torn up. I can remember when there was a depot and passenger trains would stop. No longer. Here’s a train parked on the siding:

This used to be the lumber yard and hardware store. My friends and I would go there to get stuff when we were working on building things (which was pretty much all the time):

This is the main drag. The yellow building in the middle and the brown building at the left were general stores. I bought lots of penny candy there back in the day:

So much has changed through the years, but it’s all still the same in my mind’s eye.

The Lake

If you belong to my family, “the lake” can only mean one place. Here are some pics from this afternoon.