Project 365 5-3 through 5-16-2013

HI!! Oops, looks like I got a bit behind, shocker! Lots going on here in both my personal life and all around me. I wont go into details now, but sometime down the road I will fill you in. I am still going strong with my Project 365. As many of you know, I am focusing mainly on birds and other wildlife for my Project 365, although I will throw in an occasional person, sunset or anything else that I think is worthy. On to the pictures, there will be a lot of them!

5-3

Imagine my surprise to see the Solitary Sandpiper in a puddle in the woods. This bird is named this because it migrates alone. Bird number 96 on my Audubon Life List.

5-4

Palm Warbler, I was very excited to see this beautiful little bird. Bird number 97 on my life list!

5-5

Walking along the railroad tracks to see the eagles, when this little bird came chasing me all puffed up. This is why, 4 beautiful eggs in a nest on the ground. Sadly, raccoons destroyed them a couple days later.

5-6

Male Goldfinch molting its winter feathers and getting summer colors in.

5-7

Eastern Towhee bird number 98 for my life list! i am excited to be closing in on number 100!

5-8

Song Sparrow at dawn (5am) nothing special but I love the lighting!

5-9

I have a thing for graffiti, love the message in this one.

5-10

 Male rose Breasted Grossbeak.

5-11

Oriole

5-12

Blue Heron fishing...

5-13

Osprey came a little too close to the eagles nest...

5-14

A simple branch made extraordinary due to the lighting at dawn.
5-15

Scarlett Tanager bird number 99 for my life list. Was not expecting to see this beauty. Not a great shot, but good enough to see what it is!!

5-16

Black and White Warbler, bird #100 for my life list!

Project 365 4-27 through 5-02-2013

Welcome back!! Not waiting a full 10 days to update this time. It just takes too long. The weather has been up and down, 88 one day and 49 the next, a bit of sun a bit of rain and a lot of clouds. Doesnt stop me from getting out most of the time. I am now 5 months in and still going strong with the photo a day challenge. Looking forward to being able to look back at the end and see how far I have come. Enjoy the weekend!!

4-27

Ruby Crowned Kinglet - this little guy flits around branch to branch landing for only a second in search of flying bugs. He sure posed nicely for me.

4-28

Male Cardinal

4-29

Prairie Crocus- pretty but toxic

4-30

Bird number 94 on my Audubon Life List, the Yellow Warbler.

5-1

Wood Thrush? When I find out for sure it will be bird number 95!

5-2

Tulips at my daughter Jessica's house. Are you surprised no bird??

See you in a few days!

Project 365 4-17 through 4-26-2013

Well, I got behind again (no surprise there) so another 10 days of pictures are being posted today. What can I say? No excuses, just life gets in the way sometimes. Ive been continuing to take daily shots, sometimes several trips out in the same day. I love that spring is finally here, blue skies and warmer temperatures. Definitely makes it much more enjoyable., even though we are experiencing some pretty severe flooding here in Wisconsin.  Anyway, since I have 10 pictures to post, I'm gonna get busy doing it. Have a wonderful weekend.

4-17

2 Double Crested Cormorants 

4-18

 Golden Crowned Kinglet, bird #89 for my Audubon Life list.

4-19

 Ruby Crowned Kinglet bird #90 for my life list!

4-20

 American White Pelicans were migrating through! There were at least 50 of them, bird #91 for my life list!! They only have the "bump" on their beak during mating season. Up to a 70" wing span! Pretty impressive. Thanks Kim for calling me to come take pictures!!

4-21

Canadian Goose sitting on eggs.

4-22

Yellow bellied Sapsucker -Bird #92 on my life list!

4-23

Saw this Robin and its reflection on a puddle of water. Love it!

4-23

Blue-Gray Gnat Catcher

4-24

 Pair of Bald eagles on their nest. So exciting!

I got a picture of an eaglet! There are 2 for sure, possibly 3 babies.

4-25

I liked how calm the river was which made the reflections perfect. Didn't notice the red winged blackbird until I got home. Starting to green up nicely. This is all a flooded area, normally the water would end all the way at the back of the treeline.

4-26

Took Kim to see the Bald Eagles and nest, they really put on a show for her.

Project 365 4-6 through 4-16-2013

Oh oh! Now I let myself get even farther behind. This will be a long post, so not too many words. Ive had a couple exciting weeks of nature photography, so I am just going to skip to my shots and put details under each one. Have a good week!! I am also linking this post to Wild Bird Wednesday.

4-6

Wild Turkey I came across while out for a drive.

4-7

I know the Red Winged Blackbird is a common bird, but I liked this shot. The bird was in the middle of a tree and I was able to put my lens in there and get a shot.

4-8

 Left to right: Male Lesser Scaup, Male Bufflehead and Female Lesser Scaup.

4-9

 Male Ruddy Duck. They are a very small duck with a greenish blue bill. 

4-10

 Northern Shoveler - another new species added to my Audubon Life List.

4-11

My favorite loon shot. Sadly they are gone now. Migrated through this area.

4-12

I dont know if these are male or female, but it was an interesting show they put on!

4-13

I was so excited to see this bird! It is a Horned Grebe! This bird was just migrating through, but gave me a thrill none the less. I waited and waited for it to come in close enough to be able to get a good shot of it. The next day I went back, there were 3 of them. Haven't seen them since. another for my Audubon Life List. Im now at 86.

4-14

Male and Female Redhead Ducks. Number 87 for my life list!

4-15

Male and female Mallards with immature Mallard in foreground.

4-16

Bird number 88 for my Audubon Life List. A Yellow Rumped Warbler - Myrtle What a thrill this was for me, seeing this gorgeous bird in front of me!

There you have it, 10 days of bird shots!! See you in a few days. 

Bead Soup Blog Party

Its finally here!! I joined the BSBP blog hop for the 3rd time around. My partner was Karen Williams of Skunk Hill Studio. In case you didn't see the soup she sent me, here is a shot:

And here is a shot of the soup I sent to her:

and

And now on to the creations:

Natures Beauty

 I bead embroidered the focal piece. I had to make the beautiful enameled butterfly button the main attraction. Made a clasp out of the button Karen sent, and earrings to match. So a little embroidery, a little wirework and a little stringing.

Simplicity

I wanted the lampwork to stand out, so I made a simple necklace using a little wirework to attach the beads. Also made earrings to match!

You can see the rest of the participants by going here: http://lorianderson-beadsoupblogparty.blogspot.com/2013/04/7th-bead-soup-blog-party-2nd-reveal.html