M. Sullivan Photography

September 15, 2013 M. Sullivan Photography Animals, Birds, Daphne, Family, Photos, Weather

Wildlife

Sophia and I enjoyed the last weekend of “official” summer with a walk/bike ride. We brought Daphne with so that she could enjoy the warm weather too. The forecast of 71 degrees happened early in the day. It cooled off later in the afternoon and then the rain began during the evening. We spent an hour or so enjoying the weather, picking up fall leaves, acorns and other items for Sophia’s craft project. We also enjoyed seeing some of the local wildlife. No bears this day, thank goodness!

The first of the wildlife was a pair if deer in a yard about a half a mile from our house. This doe was rather curious and watched us for a while before bounding off into the trees.

We saw a group of ducks including some nearly full-grown ducklings. The colorful feathers on their heads had not filled in yet.

We also saw this heron standing completely still in the pond.

When the bird had enough of our picture-taking, he/she flew off.

When we went around to the second pond, we saw him/her again.

The geese spotted us and made their way over across the pond looking for hand outs. We forgot to bring food with, so they lost interest after a while.

Along the road on the way out Sophia stopped for a quick picture.

We noticed that some of the branches on the trees were sporting fall hues.

Today’s weather is cold, windy and rainy. We are glad that we got out yesterday to enjoy the last few hours of warmth.

September 13, 2013 M. Sullivan Photography Animals, Photos

The Bear Necessities

I made my usual trip home at lunchtime yesterday to let Daphne out, give her some exercise and grab a quick lunch. After spending time out in the backyard playing fetch, Daphne and I went inside. She was thirsty and I was hungry. Just as I was sitting to eat, I noticed something large and black in the backyard while looking through the kitchen window. I didn’t have a good angle on it, so I went into the dining room to further investigate. This is where I noticed that the large black thing was moving, lumbering actually, up the hill headed for my flower garden. This thing made a stop at my bird bath. I guess he/she was just as thirsty as Daphne.

It was quite a sight, to say the least. He/she looked like they had been eating well this summer. It happened to be garbage day in the neighborhood. One of our neighbors suggested that he/she was making the rounds looking for the next meal. As exciting as it was, I would be fine if he/she doesn’t come back to our watering hole or to look for their next free lunch.

September 9, 2013 M. Sullivan Photography Family, Photos, School

First Day

The new school year began for Sebastian this past Thursday. It was a cool, but sunny morning. The bus was several minutes late, but he didn’t mind waiting at the bus stop talking with a former baseball teammate who is also in 7th grade. I wasn’t allowed to take pictures other than a couple at the house, but I did sneak an iPhone picture of the bus as it was headed towards the bus stop.

Sophia’s first day of school was today. Her school was closed for a year of renovations and last year she attended classes at an old middle school that is now closed. School started a couple of days later than the rest of the district so that the teachers would have extra time to get moved into their newly renovated classrooms. The school has a beautiful new entrance, new gymnasium, updated cafeteria, school grounds and parking lot/drop off area. Sophia’s morning began early today – 6:20 a.m. Her bus stop is at 6:59 a.m. It’s going to be a struggle to make the bus each day. Mike and I walked her down to the bus stop in foggy, drizzly weather. We took a few photos along the way and had hoped to get a few pictures at the bus stop, but the bus arrived early. She quickly got on, turned and smiled and then headed to her seat. She waved out the window and was on her way to the first day of fourth grade.