Too close for comfort

We’ve had quite a lot of rain here lately, and the exposed sand bank where Mr. A enjoyed his sunbathing sessions, is now submerged. Looking across the pond yesterday, hubby called to me, “What’s that on the grass over there?”

It could have just been an Anhinga drying its wings, but on closer inspection, it turned out to be Mr. A who had somehow hauled himself out of the water and plonked himself down right in the neighbour’s backyard.

I couldn’t see his head, but estimate him to be 10-12 feet long. Talking to my friend yesterday evening, she told me that they’ve recently had two alligators removed from their immediate area, and gave me a number to call, but reading this article, I don’t think I’d have the heart to report Mr. A, knowing that he’d be taken away to be turned into “meat and hide.” What do you think?

 

Wordless Wednesday: Courting Couple

A pair of Anhingas out on a date.

 

 

Granddaughter in motion for the WPC

Well the family visit is sadly over, and all that’s left are wonderful memories, lots of laundry, and a myriad  of sticky fingerprints on every mirrored closet door and sliding glass door throughout the house. Why are these surfaces such kid magnets? I certainly have my work cut out for the next day or two, and will be constantly in motion, without needing to go to the gym.

The weekly photo challenge this week is ‘Motion’. I captured our son and 9-year-old granddaughter having fun in the pool. I think these photos fit the challenge.

He was certainly getting a great arm workout, because no sooner had she landed in the water, than she was back again for more.

To see more interpretations of this week’s photo challenge, click here.

 

Silent Sunday: Family fun in the sun

Wordless Wednesday: Family arrive today

Today is the day when our precious family arrive from NJ.

Of course, yesterday afternoon the weather took a turn for the worse, and it’s been teeming down with rain ever since. I’m sure we’ll find interesting things to do with the children, as the pool isn’t an option at the moment.

I am likely to be wordless on the blogs for the next few days, but please do chat amongst yourselves whilst I’m gone.

Magical clouds at sunset

Yesterday evening whilst having dinner, I looked up at the setting sun and saw this fantastical figure riding through the sky. Can you also see the cherub face and the fluffy wings?

Did you know that there is name for the phenomenon of seeing faces and other images in the clouds? It’s called ‘Pareidolia’. If you also ‘suffer’ from this happy condition, you’re not alone.  There is a cloud appreciation society which has over 8,000 members.

Silent Sunday: Where’s my supper?

My Friday Photos

Well the end of the week has finally arrived, and I’m so excited, because on Tuesday, our three little grandchildren arrive from NJ with their mom, and on Thursday our son joins them for a long weekend. I’m going to be very busy baking cookies and preparing their rooms. I’ve bought each of them a little painting set and colouring books, but I have a feeling that if the weather is good, they’d rather be out at the pool.

Some of you may have noticed that I haven’t been on the blogs as much as usual. That’s because I’ve been fiddling around with my paintings. I darkened the blue background for the Great Blue Heron, and touched up his feathers a bit.

I redid my little white birds a zillion times in this Florida swamp scene, which meant I had to keep redoing the foliage to hide the older versions.

I had a go at Mr. Pelican and just couldn’t get his head right. It was much too big and bulbous, so I had to paint out the excess head with black, until I was a bit happier with the  shape. He wouldn’t fool a real pelican, but I think he’s rather cute.

Here’s a photo taken the other evening when we visited the Wakodahatchee Wetlands. Mr. GBH looked like he’d had a really rough day in the marsh, then he got home and found someone had been messing in his patch!  I hope this isn’t how you feel by the end of the week.

Who’s been messing in MY patch?!!

Wishing you all a relaxing and enjoyable weekend.

Thursday’s Special: Out on the water

Here’s my contribution to Paula’s Thursday Special ‘Water’. This photo was taken from the Umhlanga Rocks Lifeguard station, where hubby and I often went for an early breakfast.  The crew are most probably on their way out to inspect the shark nets which lie a few hundred metres offshore.

To see more entries for Paula’s Challenge, please click the badge.

You shall go to the Ball

The Great Egret readies herself for an evening in the marsh. I think she was probably just turning in for the night, but that outfit would have graced any dance floor.