Sunlit Sunday

On a ride to the north the sun came out briefly - and I got some unusual photos of The Sisters

 There isn't nearly as much snow as most years - we need more for our drinking water.  The snow melts in the spring fills the rivers and lakes that supply our water

 The fields are getting green  -  some have stayed green all winter - the sunlight really makes the green show up well

 And the clouds were lit up by the sunshine

Only the lower peaks of Mt. Baker were out - the dome was covered in clouds.  One of the most interesting photos of Mt. Baker I've ever taken 

Canada Geese at the base of Mt. Baker

Sunlit Sunday

January Scavenger Hunt

A hunting we will go 

SOMETHING NEW  

New to me -  water lily bowls and matching plates - a gift from Don

A truck full of chainsaw art bears for yard decorations 

LANDSCAPE  

WORDS  

Sign for an apple orchard - I love the two languages on the sign

COLD  

Heavy frost, early one morning

BOTTLE  

Little bottles in an old divided wooden tray

UP HIGH  

A Common Merganser - standing tall above the other ducks 

Trumpeter Swan - high above the fields

IN THE FRIDGE  

TEXTURE 

 Feathers on a Great Blue Heron

And Snow Goose feathers

HIDDEN  

The Red Tail Hawk thinks it is hidden in the branches

BLUE  

Pintail duck on the blue waters of Birch Bay

BIG  

Palouse Falls in Eastern Washington - taller than Niagra Falls

WHATEVER YOU WANT

Mt. Baker with a farm field in the foreground.  The strips of dirt are small ditches dug to help drain the fields of excess water from the heavy winter rains.

 January Scavenger Hunt

Saturday's Critters 

A Sunday Ride

Finally last Sunday we had a partly sunny day - here in the Pacific Northwest they say "sun breaks" and we all know that means we are going to have no rain that day - hopefully.  So off we go - first brunch and then out to look for birds.  It has been so long since I've taken a good photo - what with a miserable winter cold that overtook my life.  Don was doing all the cooking and cleaning and shopping - and I was just trying to survive the nasty cold - but I beat it - finally.  Nothing so bad as a winter cold - unless it is a summer cold, or a spring cold - well you get the idea.  Cold free - we set off on our adventure.

 I've seen this black swan in a private pond for several years now - and never stopped to take a picture - today was the day

 I was amazed at the ruffly feathers

 Such a pretty bird!!

In Black and White the reflection shows up much clearer, as do the drops of water on his neck.

 I was hoping he would spread his wings so we could see more of the white - but not today

 And here come the swan's buddies - two ponies in the same field

 They were very friendly - and while I was concentrating on the swan, one came right up and touched my face with its nose - I told her it was not nice to scare people like that - but she thought it was funny.

See you next time - with eagles and hawks

Black and White Wednesday  

Wee Ones Wednesday - new clothes for winter

Abigail Clarissa Wellington-Jones and Poppy Sunshine have new winter clothes.  I sewed the raincoat and crocheted the poncho

 Abigail has a poncho in case it snows, and snow boots, while Poppy has a slicker, rain hat and rain boots - for the rainy weather we are having right now

 Diane - at Lavender Dreams, has a Wee Ones Wednesday post also - so stop over and visit her blog - it is a lot of fun.  Her dolls are having a slumber party this week.

Boots to keep us dry and warm

Dolls are Madame Alexander and are available at amazon.com 

Barn Collective - Dragonfly Barn

This is one of my all time favorite barns - it is declining, but still standing.  The surprise was, when I took the picture I did not know that there was a dragonfly in the photo - didn't see it until I had the picture on the computer.

I love how the barn and the  dragonfly are both in perfect focus.

The Barn Collective  

Sunlit Sunday

With all the rainy days we've had lately - it has been difficult  impossible to get any sunshine photos. So I've picked some of my favorite heron photos on a sunny late afternoon, to share with you.

We were driving past Drayton Harbor, just outside Blaine, WA and there was the heron - looking for dinner at the mouth of the slough - the sun was just beginning to set and the colors were amazing.

 A Ring Neck Duck floating by

Sunlit Sunday

Mosaic Monday

Wee Ones Wednesday - New Dolls

My dear friend Diane at Lavender Dreams always posts a Wee One Wednesday - and today is a very special one - it is her birthday - so stop over and wish her a Happy Birthday - she is one of the very sweetest people you'll ever meet - so visit her blog and tell her JoAnn sent you.

And speaking of birthdays - mine isn't until March - but Don got me two new dolls as an early birthday present - meet

 Meet Gabriella Hannah

 And Madeline Violet

 Gabby will cut and style your hair - she even has real scissors

 And Maddy likes to read with her stylin' glasses

 Pink boots for Maddy

 And black sneakers for Gabby

Abigail and Poppy Sunshine are happy to have two new sisters

 All dressed up in their nighties - they are ready for a slumber party (they don't like to call it a sleep over)

 Hand knitted nightie and long robe, and hand sewn flannel jammies and robe with matching flannel slippers

 Everybody looks cozy and happy

 New friends are best friends

Night - night

Dolls are Madame Alexander and are available at Amazon