Eider Duck: Absolutely Waterproof

Just rolling off: You’ve probably heard the expression “like water off a duck’s back.” Here's where that idiom comes from. The spectacled eider’s feathers are so waterproof that the water just beads up and rolls off. This image of the near-threatened species, which breeds on the coasts of Alaska and Siberia, attracted nearly a million Instagram likes. Nat Geo Explorer Tim Laman photographed this male at the Ripley Waterfowl Conservancy in Connecticut, which maintains genetic diversity of rare and endangered species. 

The National Geographic Society has funded Laman’s work documenting rare and endangered birds. Photo by ©Tim Laman 

I am so happy to see this bird since I sleep under an Eiderdown comforter almost every night. I don't think I have ever seen a photo of an Eider and I'm sure I would have remembered such an unusual looking waterfowl.

Home Page with New Posts & Updates

Happiest Kitten Expression Ever

If this kitty doesn't make you smile, nothing will. I wonder what she's looking at to evoke such a wonderful reaction? via

Home Page with Latest Posts + Updates

Freshly Picked Daffodils

She wore her yellow sun-bonnet, 

She wore her greenest gown; 

She turned to the south wind

And curtsied up and down. 

She turned to the sunlight

And shook her yellow head, 

And whispered to her neighbour: 

“Winter is dead.” 

 ~Daffodowndilly” A.A. Milne.

I love everything about this. Found here.

Don't you love flower-gathering baskets full of daffodils? Photo found here.

Home Page with Newest Post & Updates

Brown and White Kitten

I have posted a photo of brown and white kittens before and just found this one. I adore this color combination and have never seen it in real life. Photo source here.

Latest Post Here

 

Watering the Plants: Carl Larsson

A delightful painting by Carl Larsson found on Instagram @carllarssongarden Don't you love this large window garden lined with plants in clay pots?

Link for Latest Posts

Blooming Hellebore in My Garden

I worked outside yesterday from dawn until dark. The Hellebore I planted last spring is spectacular and such a welcome spring flower that survived beautifully after being buried under two feet of snow for so long. I neglected to write down the name of this Lenten Rose but I think it must be Spring Party. I searched online and found a photo.

The mature foliage on my hellebore looks exactly like this. The leaves are large and leathery. I am very happy to have this old fashioned plant in a corner of my front walled garden. Photo found here.

I clipped off all the giant mature leathery leaves that looked like the photo above because they were just lying on the ground and didn't look tidy after my spring cleanup.

Prince Philip's Secret Pet Name for Queen Elizabeth

Here's a hint.
photo credit

Yes, he called her "Cabbage". It might have originated with the French phrases "mon petit chou" which means "my little cabbage" as well as "my little pastry puff". Isn't this endearing? Read article in Town & Country with more Royal Family links.

The Washington Post has an excellent photo diary of the wonderful Life of Prince Philip with snapshots I've never seen.

Latest Posts