HAPPY Halloween!!!

Have a spooktacular Halloween night!!!

This Halloween Kevin designed and I carved our pumpkin!

 

Have a wonderful, fun day.

Catoctin Zoo

White Tiger

 

A visit to the zoo is one that's always filled with mixed emotions for me.  I love to see all of the animals that I wouldn't ever see otherwise, but it's also sad to see them cooped up in cages away from their natural environment.  Our zoos do educate and entertain and they are an opportunity for all to view wildlife from around the world.  Our local Catoctin Zoo has a lovely natural wooded setting and the animals are well cared for by the staff.  We are fortunate to have a close up look at these wondrous animals who serve as ambassadors for their wild cousins.

 

Beautiful Pair of Parrots

 

The Catoctin Zoo is host to a whole group of lively Amazon parrots and macaws as well as some lovely pink flamingos that inhabit an outdoor area filled with vegetation and plenty of perches.

 

 

Crocodile Pond

 

Colorful Koi

 

The large koi pond is a favorite of young and old.  The koi come right to the surface and like to be touched ... but like it even better when they are given pellets available for visitors to feed them.

 

There are many opportunities to come in direct contact with various animals at the Catoctin Zoo.  Deer, llama and goats are part of a "petting zoo" experience and they, too, can be fed nutritional pellets by visitors. The animals love to snack!

 

 





                                                                          Barred Owls

 

Barred owls and great horned owls are two avian representatives in the North American section of the zoo.  Raccoons, bats, and wolves are also there to be seen. 

 

 

The photographs above were taken by my husband Kevin and me on our most recent trip to the zoo.

Autumn Hues

 Maple Leaves Turning Red

 

Golden Reflections

 

Vibrant Purple Berries

 

Festive Fall Fare at the County Fair

 

Soft Glow of the Sun 

 

 

Fall is such a colorful, festive time of year, unequaled in its vibrant show of so many wondrous colors.  It's a time for reflection and taking in all the natural beauty that surrounds us.

 

 

 

Late Summer Garden

 

The rainy weather has been helpful to bring the late season beans in our garden to flower.  Their delicate lavender blossoms are a welcome sight, apparently not only for the gardener, but also for this tiny grasshopper nymph I discovered hopping among the bean flowers.

 

 

This hummingbird flower was one of my favorite finds at the nursery this summer.  It bloomed all season.  You can see how it gets its fitting name from its dainty pink flowers that closely resemble hummingbirds!

 

 

Brightening our evenings with its chipper song, by day this katydid finds respite in the garden, where it blends in with the foliage and can hide from its predators.

 

By taking a closer look, there is always more to see than initially meets the eye!

 

The New Bed

Today, I brought home a new bed for our two cats.  It was an instant hit and thrilled both of our girls.  It's not just that the inside was warm and furry imitation sheepskin; the real lure was the catnip pouch hidden inside the bottom lining!

 

 

Since the above photograph was taken, Jasper has gotten the hang of her new bed and currently is curled up inside of it, instead of the half in half out pose you see here.  Before settling in for a comfortable nap, she spent a good ten minutes luxuriating in the catnip aroma, rolling back and forth with her legs up in the air.

 

 

 

Pacey was equally taken with the new bed and actually experienced it's luxuries before her sister.  But her belly rules, and she was far too interested in making sure she had an adequate dinner for which she feels the need to keep after me until she gets it.  Here, she sits in wait of my entrance into the kitchen to fetch her evening supper.  She stays with me when I prepare our evening meal and afterwards when I wash the dishes.  She's my constant kitchen companion and keeps her eye on my every move. 

 

Our kitty companions are such sweet and often very amusing company  :)





Roadside Flowers

I wonder how many will zip by these lovely periwinkle blue chicory flowers growing alongside our back country road without even noticing them?  Now found along many roadsides, fields, and city lots in the United States, chicory was initially introduced from Eurasia.  It's most common in areas that receive ample rain.  The roots of this wildflower can be ground and roasted and substituted for coffee.

On closer inspection, the dainty flowers are simply beautiful! 

Inspiration

The natural world offers so much beauty.  Its various moods can match or challenge our own. The feeling of connection to all one feels when immersed in the outdoors can help us center ourselves and feel grounded.  There are so many lovely passages written to honor our connection with nature.  I came across the following words which are not only beautiful but inspirational ... enjoy!

"The beauty of the trees, the softness of the air, the fragrance of the grass speaks to me.  The summit, the mountain, the thunder of the sky, the rhythm of the sea speaks to me.  The faintness of the stars, the freshness of the morning dewdrop on the flower speaks to me.  The strength of fire, the taste of salmon, the trail of the sun, and the life that never goes away, they speak to me,  and my heart soars."

 ~ Chief Dan George, a Canadian Indian