Critters Real and Unreal

Visiting Cat	Garden Ornament

One More Group Photo

Bill, Heidi, Alan and Mary

On Bill and Mary's 50th Anniversary

Mary and Bill in their Backyard

Here Mary and Bill pose in front of their deck and behind the bee balm. They really have a lovely back yard! There is a golf course behind it so their view is of flowers, trees, and green grass stretching into the distance.

In the six years that they've lived in Vandergrift, they have added a pond, several fountains, a swing, a vegetable garden, numerous flowers a barn-style shed, and various figurines of animals. Frequently they spend evenings sitting in the yard with neighbors, and deer walk up quietly to within 30 feet of them. (We saw at three or four deer do this while we were there.)

For the 50th wedding anniversary of Frank's brother and his wife, their daughters organized a dinner at a restaurant near their home. Right: Laurie, Mary, and Bill Below: Mary and Bill with her sisters, Frank, and Honey's husband.

The View from McConnells Mill

Brief Video, McConnells Mill Setate Park, PA

(Click the triangle to start.)

McConnells Mill State Park, PA

The covered bridge is within view of the old grist mill. McConnells Mill does not have a mill wheel, but rather has a turbine chamber in the basement. Water pours in from the river and turns the turbine, powering the mill.

See the description of McConnells Mill State Park on Wikipedia.

Walcrofts at McConnell's Mill

Above: Bill and Mary talk to a docent.

Below: Bill at a window.

Above: Linda with covered bridge in the background.
Right: Frank inside the Mill.

McConnells Mill is in Lawrence County, Pennsylvania.

Actias Luna, a Green Giant

Luna Moth

This fellow followed Frank into the house. I was startled to see the huge green moth on a wall, but I captured it in an empty coffee can and released it outside.

I posted a photo of a luna moth before in June 2007. You can read about these moths and see some awesome pictures of them at the Island Creek website.

Baby Carolina Wrens

Baby birds hatched in the nest on our deck. Here's how they looked a few days ago. Yesterday I saw them hopping around on the deck. When Mother Wren saw me watching, she chirped until they jumped back in the nest and hunkered down.

Earlier Post: A Nest in a Fuschia Plant

Description of Carolina Wren

Thryothorus ludovicianus ) on All About Birds.)

Rose Bowl

After it rained the other day, I spotted this pretty little rose and decided to capture it with the drops still on the leaves. Not until I started to take the picture did I realize that the flower formed a perfect little bowl for holding water.

Hone Quarry Recreation Area

Hone Quarry is in the George Washington National Forest west of Dayton, VA. Lynn did not remember camping there as a child, so one day we drove out there after meeting for lunch in Harrisonburg. We drove through the small town of Briery Branch on the way, where her Javins ancestors once lived.

I felt it was high time she got a look at the town. Her sister went through there about 7 years ago when working on The Best in Tent Camping: Virginia, 2nd edition.

Benny at the Vet's

Sounds like a song, doesn't it: B-B-Ba Benny at the Vets...

Here's Ben at the veterinary clinic. The technician had talked to us and we were waiting for the vet. Ben is looking at the exit door; clearly he's ready to go back home.

We stayed though, and the vet examined his ear. With Frank and the technician struggling to hold him still, the vet cleaned his ear and swabbed it. She said he has a bacterial infection.

We have to treat it twice a day. Frank distracts him with pieces of chicken while I clean it and apply 5 drops of medication.

Poor dog also has a tummy ache, the result of eating a shoe lace. Pulled it right out of one of my sneakers!

Brycefest 2009

July 4th Weekend at Bryce Resort, Virginia

Fireworks 2009

We watched the resort's fireworks display from our deck. The evening was cool enough that I wore a light jacket.

My Nikon has a setting for Fireworks so I used it. The photos came out okay but every time I clicked the shutter, there was a delay of several seconds while the picture was processed.

Late Afternoon, July 1st

I've posted photos taken from our deck before. Here's the view with rain clouds rising.

You can barely see Great North Mountain behind the clouds.