Bird Camouflage

Alaskan state bird Willow Ptarmigan (Lagopus lagopus) blending in with winter landscape. Photo: Anthony Madden. via Isn't this photograph spectacular? Mother Nature never ceases to amaze me!

Have a great New Year's Eve. I am watching BBC World News America and it is already midnight in Japan where they celebrate the new year with oranges. I like that!

Ural Owl in Sweden

Photographed by Mattias Bergman in a dark forrest in Uppland, Sweden. He said seeing this Ural Owl against the dark background was like seeing a ghost.

Caterpillar Feasting on A Poppy Pod

Caterpillar Absolem feasting on Opium poppy (Papaver somniferum). This stunning photo is straight out of Alice in Wonderland, isn't it? I want to save it forever, I love it so. Mother Nature really outdid herself when designing this caterpillar's body and colorful markings. via

Papaver somniferum "Midnight"

Jane Austen Quote + A Green Zinnia

I couldn't agree more.

"They are much to be pitied who have not been given a taste for nature early in life. Jane Austen. via

Here is another Envy Zinnia. It looks more like a Dahlia and is quite different from my last Envy post. I am so pleased my seed packet contained more than one variety. They don't seem to mind the numerous fierce rainstorms or the intense heat. The are still standing straight and tall. They don't need to be babied and I like that! xo

Butterfly: Photo + Video

I could never determine whether this was a butterfly or a moth. It stayed in place for a very long time flapping its wings and staying still. My still photo is shown above (click to enlarge). I posted my video on Instagram yesterday. See it here. Click on the white arrow to start the movement of the wings. I love the antennae that look like threaded beads.

Curious Barn Owls in UK Church Window

Richard Brooks photographed the three young Barn Owls looking out of the quatrefoil of a local church one evening in July after staking out the site most evenings over a three week period. Enlarge this amazing photo here.

As the perfect place to perch, it must have been the answer to their prayers.

Three inquisitive young barn owls used this lofty window for an early evening surveillance mission in a Norfolk churchyard.

Standing in the stone quatrefoil of Christ Church, Fulmodeston, they were keeping a beady eye open for a tasty snack of mouse, vole or shrew.
Read the article in The Daily Mail here.

Amazing Chalk Stream in England

This crystal clear stream is in Ovington, Hampshire, UK. I fell in love with this on Instagram where it was posted by stampsandstamps and is shown there as a video showing the moving water of this crystal clear stream. I have never heard of a chalk stream, have you? I hope that's watercress growing on the bottom. Click here to see the video. Enjoy. You're welcome. Have a lovely weekend. xo

Fish with Designer Outfit

No designer could ever make a gown this beautiful though many have tried! via By Thai photographer Visarute Angkatavanich.

Beautiful Oregon Forest

Bald Peak State Scenic Viewpoint (Oregon)

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Decorating with Snow

Pretty as a picture. via

Mother Nature is the best decorator.

It's raining today at my cottage and I'm thankful it isn't snowing. See you later. The countdown to Christmas is in full swing, isn't it? xo

The Milky Way

Is it just me, or can you see the faint outline of Santa and his sleight being pulled by reindeer in the Milky Way?

Born from Dust II by Otto Hütter

Nature's Christmas Decorations

Mother Nature changes her tree-decorating mind daily. On this day, she decided on a combination of light snow and a heavy hoar frost. I like it! Photo by Christian A Schaffer

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Beautiful Hoar Frost

Is there anything more beautiful than a good hoar frost? I think not. via

Beautiful leaf

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This photograph is so beautiful!

My leaves are just starting to turn colors.

We are having a very late fall.

Enjoy your Sunday.

Mama Owl Showing Her Babies

Aren't they cute? I never knew owls had such big families. The juveniles look like they are wearig black eye masks. via

Amazing Photo. Deer viewed thru a Leaf

How amazing is this photo? Click here to view it full size. Photo by Kobi Refaeli

Mother Nature's Christmas Tree

No lights needed here. via

Birds of A Feather Plus One

Birds of A Feather and Friend via So cute!!!

Dawn, Sunday Morning

Good Sunday Morning from My Cottage. The sunrise was beautiful. I'm looking forward to the Super Moon tonight, known as The Beaver Moon. The largest one since 1948 and there won't be another one until 2036 so I'd better catch this one!!!

A Fiddlehead and A Fledgling

This is a great photo, isn't it? Wish I had been the one who took it. Tis the season for birds spreading their wings and leaving behind an empty nest. via Many fledglings spend 3 to 5 days on the ground when they first depart the next and are often mistaken for injured birds. Here's a great website for determining if you have discovered a bird trying to fledge.