To Everything There is a Season

Hello, my blogging friends.

Thank you so much for stopping by, sending me your notes, and keeping in touch.  When I first began blogging, I had no way of knowing what a wonderful and friendly community I would come to know. You all have been very kind and are such interesting people. I've met nature lovers, creative writers, artists, and photographers who have generously shared their talents and skills.

One of those special people was a man named Klaus Peter. His photography was simply beautiful. His love of nature beamed like the sunshine and his sense of humor was like no other. Many of us came to know him through his Virtua Gallery, later Skywatch, Pick-It-Up, and That's My World. I always enjoyed my visits to his site and felt honored that he took the time to visit mine.

Klaus disappeared sometime last year and abruptly stopped posting, but my life was such that I wasn't able to follow blogs the way I used to, so I lost touch with him. It was only today that I learned of Klaus' sudden passing last year. I'm deeply saddened. This blog post is dedicated to my friend, Klaus.  Rest in peace, Klaus. You were one of a kind.

My last post was in the winter, so I now move into spring and the beginning of summer.  It was an unusual winter with very little snow. Spring came early to Connecticut and temperatures were at times on a par with Florida. 

 The spring flowers came early, with some concern that frost, snow, or ice would spoil things, but it was a lovely spring, with no real need for concern.

Fiddlehead

This swan is one of the swans from last year that raised a family on this pond. (See babies in my last post) Each time I see him, I call to him and he crosses the pond to come see me. He settles in next to me and preens his lovely feathers. He's my friend.

One day he decided to come up on shore and stand next to me. I have never fed these swans, but they seem to know me. This one just seems to be satisfied to stand near me. It's quite a privilege for me.

Last fall, two young raccoons showed up in the tree outside my window. This little guy is stretching up and reaching for a bird feeder... little raider! Yes, he is looking up at me. :)

One of my favorite flowers in the spring is the beautifully fragrant lilac.

  Red-Tailed Hawk

 Barn Swallow... These birds are usually dipping and diving so swiftly and erratically, that I find it hard to get a good photo, but one day I saw this one perched on the edge of a boardwalk, so I was lucky to get this shot. 

This one was a real puzzle for me. I think it's a mix of Little Blue Heron and Tri-Colored Heron

Isn't he unusual and lovely? 

Great Egret

Osprey

Killdeer - They are so noisy!

Yellow-Crowned Night Heron

Double-Crested Cormorant

Oh boy, these two gulls were having quite a squabble!

Quite a confrontation

Is there anything sweeter than a Rugosa Rose in the sand dunes at the shore?

Glossy Ibis

Down at Fenwick, in Old Saybrook, I visited a beautiful field of Poppies and Bachelor Buttons.

Aren't they pretty? Like a secret garden.

 A few daisies and other unknown type flowers were among the poppies

 The family of deer continue to visit Mom. It's always a treat to see them when I'm there on the weekends.

Sunset reflecting on Long Island Sound

 The end of the day and a good place to wrap up this post.

I am doing well. I still have some residual problems and complications from the facial paralysis, but those things are mostly hidden. At least I can smile on both sides now! :)

I hope you all are well and that you all will enjoy a great summer!!