Autumn in Connecticut

Hi Everyone,

I hope all of you are well and enjoying life.

Mom has been back in the hospital again and was transferred back into a nursing home/rehab place again tonight. It has meant long hours of driving back and forth, and by the time I get home, I just want to relax and play without having to think!

Yesterday and today, we managed to make some time to get out and take pictures of some of the beautiful scenes that surround us. I had promised to share a little bit of autumn with you, and this is a particularly magnificent autumn here, so I'm happy to share these pictures with you. The leaf colors are now at peak for leaf peeping, so I hope you enjoy these images. I've included a few more than usual, because who knows when I'll be able to post again?! I'm not exactly reliable these days. ;-)

Mr. Sandpiper is on vacation this week and we had planned to go away, but with Mom being hospitalized, we've had to postpone things. We are hoping to get away sometime this coming week, for a couple of days, once my sister returns from her vacation. Timing is everything, isn't it? If we go away, I might have some more pictures to share with you soon, provided that the situation allows me the time to do it.

These pictures are all taken very close to where I live in a variety of locations. As always, you can click the pix to see them larger.

Okay, I guess I'll see you when I see you... it's the best I can do for now. In the meantime, I miss you all.

Montezuma NWR 7

Continuing on...
Parts 1-6 are here:

Montezuma NWR 1
Montezuma NWR 2
Montezuma NWR 3
Montezuma NWR 4
Montezuma NWR 5
Montezuma NWR 6

(Please click on the pictures to see them larger.)

The Montezuma Wildlife Refuge is a large area, but we often retrace the trails and roads there, because with each "go 'round" there are new things to see. Like us, our friendly Harrier moved from pond to pond, this time flying overhead, and the nearby green heron and kingfisher looked skyward as he swept by.

Many of the flowers were now going to seed. I liked the pattern this one made as it fell away from the plant.

A Belted Kingfisher perched on a nearby limb

Same bird showing off his crest

This American Goldfinch was still hanging on to his brilliant breeding plumage

And once again, the Harrier flew over

The Delicate Queen Anne's Lace was in full bloom

And this turtle rested on a log that was sticking up out of the water

Whooooooooosh! An eagle suddenly flew past! What a surprise!

And, toward the late afternoon, we passed by the butterfly garden again. I love when the long afternoon light that makes things glow

Sunflower

Lots of birds

A Great Blue Heron

More birds

And some narrow-leafed sunflowers.

Hi everyone,

I hope you all are well and happy. Summer certainly has flown by and the leaves are now beginning to turn color here now. It will be awhile before we get to "peak", and I will try to get some pictures to share with you.

Things are going okay here. I'm still taking care of some things - seems one thing after another, but overall, I'm fine. We are trying to hatch a plan that will hopefully soon resolve some issues and will perhaps put me in a state of mind for blogging a little more often. We'll see how it goes!!

Thank you very much for all of your visits and comments. You have no idea how much they make me smile.

Kathryn asked a question if I had visited Buttermilk Falls in Ithaca. No, but we certainly will try to get there now that you have mentioned it. We have been to Letchworth State Park though. (Not on this most recent visit.) It is also known as the "Grand Canyon of the East."
http://nysparks.state.ny.us/parks/info.asp?parkID=12 The place has outstanding views and waterfalls.

We are hoping to get away again soon, if we can. Even little getaways are good for the soul.

Take care and I'll be posting again soon.