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Archive for the ‘Nick & Nora and Flora & Fauna’ Category

Every season brings us proof of a higher power, a creator more talented than ourselves.  Some of us refer to this master artist as God, some as Mother Nature and others, well I can’t really speak for those who don’t acknowledge or appreciate the fact that the beauty around us was NOT put here by us.  I, for one, marvel at the beauty God has created BUT I’m quite happy to credit Mother Nature here in my blog for the endless seasons of exquisite art.  AND OF COURSE, I have to credit Murray Head for his unbelievable artistic eye and steady lens, for if it weren’t for him, we wouldn’t get a glimpse of any of these wonders of the world.   I live 5 blocks from Central Park, but I can’t tell you the last time I was there.  So thank you Murray for bringing Mother Nature’s Art Show to us all.

lotus, pink water lilly, Central Park

Pink Perfection

water lilly, Central Park

Wonderful White Water Lilly

dragon flies, water lilly

Serene Summer Scene

Reflection

turtle, Central Park pond, mallard duck

Harmony

All photos courtesy of Murray Head

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FAB FOTO FRIDAY

Central Park is full of wildlife, each with his or her own story.  Yesterday Murray was in the Hallet Nature Sanctuary.  This area is a four-acre preserve located just  northwest of the Pond at 5th Avenue and Central Park South.

He came upon a beautiful Egret in an area of the Pond where it had not been before.

white egret, Hallet Nature Sanctuary, Central Park

Great White Egret

Although not intentional, apparently she was intruding the Red Wing Blackbirds territory.  The couple swooped down, tried to shoo the Egret away.

Hallet Nature Sanctuary, Egret, Red wing blackbird

” Go Away Now”

Not to be easily deterred, Madam Egret continues to wander eastward.  Mrs. Red Wing Blackbird, visibly upset that the Egret has not yet left, decides to make a more pointed statement, literally.

Hallet Nature Sanctuary, preserve, Central Park

“Really Now, You Must Leave”

The Egret was not moved!  Two women in the kitchen, a cat fight underway, Mr. Red Wing Blackbird takes upon himself to intervene.  He was not going to put up with this nonsense….the Egret had to go!

“Hey, Lady, You Gotta Go”

Finally, Madam Egret decides it’s in everyone’s best interest that she move on.  She thinks, “After all, the Pond is big enough for all of us…and besides I’m a bigger bird than they are”.

The Pond, 5th Avenue and Central Park South

Just Minding My Own Business

And at the other side of the Pond, on the West bank, the Bull Frog sat and watched the whole episode.

Hallet Nature Sanctuary, Central Park

“Silly birds” Ribbett

All photos courtesy of Murray Head

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Sometimes it’s just fun to hang out with your friends…Nicky drops by the guest room to visit with Quilty Cat and Sam and Serena Sock Monkey.  From the looks on everybody’s faces, a good time was had by all!

Nick, cat, vintage sock monkeys, quilted cat

"A Good Time Was Had By All"

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Amuse yourself with these two tasty tidbits.  Raptor Fest 2011 in Central Park this past Sunday.  This show was produced by Hawk Creek Wildlife.  True to the intent of an amuse-bouche, more photos will follow…..

Turkey Vulture, raptor fest, Wild hawk creek

Turkey Vulture

owl, Hawk Creek Wildlife,

Cute Little Fella

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If you or your son/daughter/husband waited until the last minute to make a brunch or dinner reservation for today – don’t fret there’s always a way in!!

Take it from a wise old owl!

Central Park

"Do You Have A Reservation?"

Owl

"Well, Do YOU??

"Sorry. Oh, why thank you. Let me check again"

Central Park, New York City, owl

"Table for Two, right this way"

All photos courtesy of Murray Head.

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Late again! There are reasons… really!!! Some issues at work are distracting me and keeping me pre-occupied and my husband is ill with a horrific attack of the much-dreaded shingles. God, what a nasty condition that is and he is so much pain.  And another family member underwent serious surgery this past week, and my daughter and family moved into their New York apartment which meant I got to babysit Finley Ray for two-day and two nights which are better known as Movie Night for Finley.  I saw Toy Story and I think this is the 8th showing of Cinderella.  I just love those mice!

Nick and Nora

JUST in case you didn’t already know, I have two cats whose names are Nick and Nora. They are brother and sister and are rescue cats.  We spent a lot of time coming up with a set of names, not too cutsie, not too highbrow (I mean they’re not Persians or Siamese) and eventually Peter and I knew exactly what they should be named.  They are named after Nick and Nora Charles , the martini-drinking couple from the movie series The Thin Man.

Nora, my computer writing a blog

NORA - Just a little something on my paw

Christmas '10, Nicky

Nicky - You handsome devil!

photo by Murray Head

Nora,

Nora hiding in the flower basket.

cat bed, Ocean Grove, Nick and Nora

Nick and Nora cuddle up to stay warm

Christmas '10, Nicky,Susan Taylor

Nicky learns all about knitting

Photo by Murray Head

 


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Do I need to say more?

Sorry, thanks for the nut!

photo by Murray Head

Central Park, New York city,

Saving this for later

photo by Murray Head

 

Ocean Grove

"Can I please have some more"?

Photo by Lori

 

feeding the squirrel, peanuts

"Here you go little fella"

photo by Lori

 

 

 

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SOMEONE SAVED MY LIFE TONIGHT

When I think of those East End lights, muggy nights
The curtains drawn in the little room downstairs
Prima Donna lord you really should have been there
Sitting like a princess perched in her electric chair
And it’s one more beer and I don’t hear you anymore
We’ve all gone crazy lately

My friends out there rolling round the basement floor

And someone saved my life tonight sugar bear
You almost had your hooks in me didn’t you dear
You nearly had me roped and tied
Altar-bound, hypnotized
Sweet freedom whispered in my ear
You’re a butterfly
And butterflies are free to fly
Fly away, high away, bye bye

Monarch butterfly, butterfly bush, Elton John, Someone Saved my life tonight

Butterflies are Free to Fly Away

I never realized the passing hours of evening showers
A slip noose hanging in my darkest dreams
I’m strangled by your haunted social scene
Just a pawn out-played by a dominating queen
It’s four o’clock in the morning
Damn it listen to me good
I’m sleeping with myself tonight
Saved in time, thank God my music’s still alive

And I would have walked head on into the deep end of the river
Clinging to your stocks and bonds
Paying your H.P. demands forever
They’re coming in the morning with a truck to take me home
Someone saved my life tonight, someone saved my life tonight
Someone saved my life tonight, someone saved my life tonight
Someone saved my life tonight
So save your strength and run the field you play alone

Lyrics by Elton John

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Ocean Grove Victorian cottage, summer garden, hydrangeas, window box, petunias

La Vie en Rose

This photo speaks volumes!

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THIS IS FOR THE BIRDS

A picture is worth a thousand words or so they say…. going forward I thought I would designate Friday as a day to share some fantastic photos with you-today is FAB FOTO FRIDAY!  Let me be clear about this – they will almost NEVER be my photos.  I have a dear friend, Murray who is a professional photographer and as his passion is photography he snaps interesting candid shots of kids, animals, birds and well just about anything and everything.  I have been saving (read stealing) many of his photos to my hard drive.  He has given me permission to share them with you.

sea gull ocean grove

Wingspan

ocean grove bird

Checking for Spots

bird on pine branch, pine cones and bird

Looking Over My Shoulder

black bird, grackle

Big Black Bird

Bird Feeder Fight, sparrows

Bird Feeder Fight

Photos by Murray Head

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