Monday, May 18, 2020

Our World, My World

 Happy Monday,

I hope everyone is safe and doing well. I am happy now that our neighborhood fire road trails are open now.  It is great not having to drive somewhere just to take a walk.  

It seems this year is not the best year for our neighborhood Great Blue Heron's nests/heronry .  Early in the season we counted 6-8 different nest. This was the last time we saw one Heron near a nest.  It is sad to say they have left, I am not sure if it was due to cold weather, high wind storms, heavy rain storms or a different reason.  


 This time of the year we look for the Pink Lady Slippers, they usually come back in the same spot every year.  We saw them one day and I took these photos.  We went back to see them again, it appears like someone picked at least 2-3 of the plants, maybe on Mother's Day? 


On May 10th we took a walk to the lake, along the way I look for any wildflowers or blooms.  The White Dogwoods seem to be doing well this year.  I saw these white wildflowers close to the ground and some purple blossoms on the top of a tree near the parking lot.







 These look like the Lily of the Valley blooms, seen near the fire road. The wildflowers are a happy sight to see!




 The recreation activity has opened at our parks and reservoirs, that mean hiking and fishing. This mean more people on the trails, more trash left behind and more vehicle traffic around the lake.

A walk to the lake includes a view of  the Bald Eagles nest, we did not see any eagle activity. If there were any eaglets we could not see them.   We will go back again to check to see if this Bald Eagle's nest was successful. 





 It is nice to be able to take a walk to the lake, it was a chilly windy day.

"Our very being, essence, health and happiness depend on Mother Earth."  



The is the view of the lake, across the way is the Bald Eagle's nest..




Between our neighborhood Great Blue Herons disappearing, the pink lady slipper orchids being picked and seeing no activity at the Bald Eagles nest, it seems like all is not well in our neighborhood.

May14th update, I am hearing some sounds coming from 1-2 Great Blue Heron nest, so we did loose a lot of nest over the last couple of months. Also on the same day, I found some more Pink Lady Slippers growing off the fire road. I hope no one comes along and picks these beautiful wildflowers. 




What's happening in your corner of the world? Please check out and visit the following memes and links. I hope to see you there.


 
Thanks to Angie the host of  Mosaic Monday



Thanks to LadyFi  the host of Our World Tuesday!


Thanks for visiting and commenting, have a happy day and a great new week!

93 comments:

  1. Hello Eileen
    The Pink Lady Slippers are beautiful!
    Courage, the great blue heron will return with the warm weather.
    My garden is also full of the lily of the valley … they are beautiful flowers!
    Wishing you a nice day and a great week!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Ella, it is a joy to see these wild orchids and all the wildflowers. Thanks for the comment! Enjoy your day, wishing you a happy new week!

      Delete
  2. ...the Pink Lady Slippers are a treat to see, I may not be able to see them in person this spring, thanks for showing.

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    1. Hello Tom, the Pink Lady Slippers are only around for such a short time. We usually know just when to start looking for them. Thanks for the comment! Enjoy your day, wishing you a happy new week!

      Delete
  3. Lindas fotos da natureza.Flores lindas, outras nascendo, aves, tudo lindo! Ótima semana! beijos, tudo de bom,chica

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hello Chica,
      Thanks for the comment! Enjoy your day, wishing you a happy new week!

      Delete
  4. Hello Eileen,
    So sad that some have picked the Pink Lady flower. It's so rare and special in the wild. The lily of the valley are not rare, but very beautiful.
    Enjoy your day!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hello Marit,
      I was sad to see someone picked these wild orchids, they are not thinking.
      Thanks for the comment! Enjoy your day, wishing you a happy new week!

      Delete
  5. Wildflowers bring hope - thanks for sharing yours.

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    Replies
    1. Hello Debbie,
      Yes, so true we need that hope! Thanks for the comment! Enjoy your day, wishing you a happy new week!

      Delete
  6. It is really quite sad that the moment things open up sad humans resort to their old ways of trashing the landscape in one way or another. With all the optimism we can muster, there is no hope for us.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi David, it is upsetting to see crowds of people coming by now and leaving their trash and picking the wildflowers. I wish people just cared more for the environment. Thanks for the comment, enjoy your day!

      Delete
  7. Beautiful wildflowers! Growing up, we used to find pink lady slippers in Vermont - at the lake where we vacationed each year. Back then it was illegal to pick them.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It is illegal in most areas, Vera, but without adequate enforcement who is to prevent it? If people do not have a conscience and are unwilling to respect the natural beauty of nature, there is nothing to be done. I just read of the staggering tonnage of garbage picked up on Florida beaches after the first weekend of reopening, and it is sickening. Is this what "freedom" means to people?

      Delete
  8. I smiled to see The Great Blue Helen which looks “craning” its neck for a better view. Wildflowers always make me feel happy when I find them. How lovely yours! Have a nice week.

    Yoko

    ReplyDelete
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    1. Hello Yoko,
      The herons are fun to find and the wildflowers make me happy too.
      Thanks for the comment! Enjoy your day, wishing you a happy new week!

      Delete
  9. Hari Om
    The wildflowers are gorgeous. It is sad that some humans seem to feel they can tamper with nature through theft of its beauty... YAM xx

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hello Yam,
      It is a shame people cannot leave nature's beauty for the next person coming along. Thanks for the comment! Enjoy your day, wishing you a happy new week!

      Delete
  10. so glad you can walk nearby again. Our state parks remained open. We would have missed not being able to slip down there. Sad about the herons. I had forgotten about lady slippers. Happy Day.

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    1. Hello Gayle,
      We had some parks open but they were further away. I like our nearby trails.
      Thanks for the comment! Enjoy your day, wishing you a happy new week!

      Delete
  11. The wild flowers are so beautiful. I am glad that not all the herons are gone. I would love having a place to walk that I did not have to drive to...shoot, here there is no place to really drive to.

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    Replies
    1. Hello Rose,
      I am happy to hear and see some of the heron are still here. Thanks for the comment! Enjoy your day, wishing you a happy new week!

      Delete
  12. Beautiful. Love it. Have a great day.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks for the comment! Enjoy your day, wishing you a happy new week!

      Delete
  13. Here, in England, people have had the opposite problem. They have not been allowed to drive to places to walk. That has just changed. I'm wondering . . . what is a fire road?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hello Lucy, they created dirt road going back into the forest for emergency use such are fire or rescue equipment. Thanks for visiting and for the comment, have a happy day!

      Delete
  14. I'm glad that you had a happier update, Eileen! Maybe more herons will appear.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hello, Yes, I was happy to find some of the heron still here. Thanks for the comment! Enjoy your day, wishing you a happy new week!

      Delete
  15. It is illegal here in Florida to pick them, but when i was a child picking wild flowers is what we did. back then the world had not been destroyed by paving the woods and making boardwalks. there were flowers every where and free to pick. i have never seen lady slippers except in a garden we had to pay to visit. or those beautiful white bells. they are gorgeous.
    glad your road is open now....

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Sandra!
      I will not pick wildflowers, I leave things as I see them for others to find and enjoy.
      Thanks for the comment! Enjoy your day, wishing you a happy new week!

      Delete
  16. I'm so glad your trail is open! We haven't had any problem with social distancing on any of the trails! We always knew where to look for lady slippers in NC on some land we owned. But you had to be there at just the right time. They are so gorgeous! Happy week!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hello Diane,
      We are glad the trails are open too. The timing for the Pink Lady Slippers has to be just right, we usually know from the previous year when to start looking for them. Thanks for the comment! Enjoy your day, wishing you a happy new week!

      Delete
  17. The heron is so majestic, perched there!

    I love the lady's slippers and Lily of the Valley is my favorite. Mine are far behind Rick's due to placement in our yards, so it sort of extends the season! With all the rain we are having, they should be growing well! Have a lovely week!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hello Jeanie,
      I was happy to see the wild Lily of the Valley flowers. They are so delicate and pretty.
      Thanks for the comment! Enjoy your day, wishing you a happy new week!

      Delete
  18. Beautiful blooms Eileen. I don't understand some people's need to kill flowers by picking them and taking them home.

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    Replies
    1. Thanks Karen! I wish people did not pick the wildflowers, leave them for others to enjoy too.
      Have a great day and week ahead!

      Delete
  19. It's always such a treat to see wildflowers. I do hope those Herons don't give up on those nests. Glad you have good walks to do close to your home. Happy Monday to you!

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    Replies
    1. Thanks Ellen, yes we are happy our trails have opened. Enjoy your day, have a great week!

      Delete
  20. Hi Eileeen,
    Nature is so wonderful in beautiful animals and plants.
    I loved the heron and the wild flowers, just wonderful.
    I wish that you have nice walks around now that you can broaden your horizons.
    Hugs and good week.
    Ailime

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hello Ailime,
      Yes, nature is wonderful and beautiful. We do enjoy our walks. Thanks for the comment.
      Enjoy your day, wishing you a happy new week!

      Delete
  21. Hello Eileen,
    These are beautiful photos and collages.
    Beautiful the heron in the trees, and the flowers are beautiful too.
    Be careful and stay healthy.
    Best regards Irma

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    Replies
    1. Hello Irma,
      I hope you are stay healthy too! Thank you for the comment and visit. Take care and have a great day!

      Delete
  22. My favorite Heron has made it to your post Eileen, than kyou so much! Those lady slippers are very interesting, haven't seen any flower like that one. Happy New Week!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hello,

      The lady slipper are a beautiful wild orchid. Thank you for the comment and visit. Take care and have a great day!

      Delete
  23. Cold looking day but gorgeous photos ~ things changing everywhere ~ love the pink color of the lady slippers ~ lovely montage ~

    Be Well, Be Happy,
    A ShutterBug Explores,
    aka (A Creative Harbor)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hello Carol,
      Hopefully some warm sunny days are on the way! Thank you for the comment and visit. Take care and have a great day!

      Delete
  24. I remember t.he first time I saw a heron in a tree, I was surprised. I thought they nested along the shoreline.

    The tiny blooms are so perfect. Sometimes the tiniest things are surprising.

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    Replies
    1. Hello Marie,
      It is cool seeing these heron nest high in the tree tops! Thank you for the comment and visit. Take care and have a great day!

      Delete
  25. Loved the flowers. I have only ever seen a pink lady slippers one time, and that was years ago. I hope your birds come back soon. Happy week to you :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hello Denise,
      Thank you for the comment and visit. Take care and have a great day!

      Delete
  26. Beautiful photos Eileen. Glad the fire road opened up so now you can enjoy it again. Love the blue heron, so pretty to see.
    Have a wonderful evening.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hello Bill,
      Yes, we are very happy the trails are open. Thank you for the comment and visit. Take care and have a great day!

      Delete
  27. This looks like a beautiful place to walk, even on a cold, windy day. I'm sorry to hear that someone picked the lady slippers. Too bad they couldn't leave the blooms for others to enjoy.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hello Sandra,
      It is sad someone picked these beautiful wild orchids. Thank you for the comment and visit. Take care and have a great day!

      Delete
  28. Great shot of the heron peeping above the pines. I used to have a Lady's Slipper in my yard when I first moved here. It stopped coming back after a few years. I think that mine was yellow. It's a shame that someone felt the need to pick the ones that you found.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hello, I would like the see the wild yellow lady slippers. We only see the pink lady slippers here.
      Thank you for the comment and visit. Take care and have a great day!

      Delete
  29. Replies
    1. Hello Carol,
      Thank you for the comment and visit. Take care and have a great day!

      Delete
  30. I really enjoy seeing the wild flowers.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hello Karen,
      The wildflowers are a beautiful sight! Thank you for the comment and visit. Take care and have a great day!

      Delete
  31. Chipping sparrows arrived in the last few days. They bring a very cheerful sound. They do stay and nest here.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hello Red,
      I love the cute Chipping Sparrows, I am seeing a lot of them here. Thank you for the comment and visit. Take care and have a great day!

      Delete
  32. Glad to hear about the blue herons. Maybe it was bad weather that caused their delay back. Also happy that you found more pink slippers. They have me thinking of Cinderella. I got all excited when I saw your photo of the lily of the valley. I didn't know they were a wildflower. That's cool.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hello Susie,
      We are happy to see any wildflowers, the lady slippers are special. Thank you for the comment and visit. Take care and have a great day!

      Delete
  33. More people can mean more problems but sometimes more people means more opportunity for education and change. But you already know that.

    Thank you for another hopeful post from you.

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    Replies
    1. Hello Yogi, I just wish everyone cared about the environment and nature. Throwing thrash around is nasty.
      Thank you for the comment and visit. Take care and have a great day!

      Delete
  34. Yes.... a little bit shutdown, we wish all.

    A good Post for Our World Tuesday - I enjoyed reading.


    Yes, we should take care on nature. For ourselves... for our children!


    Stay healthy and well.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hello, Erica
      Yes, Indeed we must protect nature for our children and grandchildren. Thank you for the comment and visit. Take care and have a great day!

      Delete
  35. I loved seeing the lady slippers! I've only seen them in botanical garden conservatories, and never in the wild. We've had a very cool spring here too,and I was worried about a few trees that lost blossoms and leaves in a freeze but thankfully they are picking up. I hope the herons will come back to your area now that it is getting warmer.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Pat,
      We are lucky to see these lady slippers come back in the same spot every year. I hope it warms up soon, some sunny warm weather would feel nice. Thank you for the comment and visit. Take care and have a great day!

      Delete
  36. Eileen - oh dear. Certainly some grim news from there. I really despair when I see people (especially kids) picking flowers, or stepping off a trail and trampling on the plants. Hasn't anyone taught them anything? Ok. Got that out of my system. I am pleased that you are able to get back to your "home" trails without having to get into the car! Thanks for linking to Mosaic Monday, my friend!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hello Angie,
      Thanks for the comment and visit. I wish people would stay on the trails and that they pack up their trash and take it to a proper trash can. We are very happy our local trails are open now, it is nice not having to drive somewhere to take a walk. Take care and have a great day!

      Delete
  37. Hello Eileen,
    in Finland they are having awful weather too, so far this spring, with snowfalls and chilly winds.
    My husband is worried for our blueberries too as they are blooming now.
    Thanks for sharing. Have a nice and warmer week ahead!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hello, we have some blueberries growing too, they are mostly eaten by the birds. I hope they all do well.
      Thank you for the comment and visit. Take care and have a great day!

      Delete
  38. I love your wild flowers - so different from ours. Fancy having lily of the Valley growing wild. I have a small pot which I tend very carefully with little success. Many of our wild flowers are protected and you can be fined for picking them. Is that so where you are?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hello Liz, thank you for the comment and visit. They would have to put up signs saying do not pick the wildflowers, it seems lately people do whatever they want anyway. Enjoy your day, wishing you a happy weekend ahead!

      Delete
  39. That's a good reminder. We have lady slippers on our property. I should go check them out. I keep getting angry that people would pick such precious things, but we have to remember that there are more good people than idiots. People like us who respect nature.

    ReplyDelete
  40. So glad you have nice places to walk. I sure admire you for taking such beautiful photo's and sharing, Eileen!

    Have a happy day.

    xoxo

    ReplyDelete
  41. I love wildflowers and you got some pretty ones there... but sad that some picked away the pink lady slippers. Its different to hear a halt on wildlife activites there while the nature celebrates the lockdown and animals are left freely roaming. Glad the fire road is open for walk and nice wood/lake shots.
    Take care

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  42. you know i have not seen Lily of the Valley in years. my grandparents had it in their yard??! so pretty. gorgeous blooms u have here. ( ;

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  43. Hello again from my Blogger home. As always your photos are incredibly beautiful! The wildflowers are gorgeous! thank you and have a grand day!

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  44. That's too bad about the heron's. I've been seeing a lot of birds around here - Our first nest of Eastern Phoebe's above our garage door are about to take flight, that nest is getting pretty small for the 3 of them!

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  45. The lake seems so peaceful and the flowers are so pretty.

    Worth a Thousand Words

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  46. Nice seeing so much colour isn't it? I have to ask what is a fire trail?

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  47. Hello, Thanks for your post. Beautiful pics.
    Stay well.

    ReplyDelete
  48. Love the GBH in the treetops. And the lily of the valley (Also it's sweet fragrance).

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  49. All hope was not lost---always nice to find what you are looking for.
    MB

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  50. I love the heron up in the tree. Amazing that birds with such long legs and necks can fly but a little penguin can't.
    Dawn aka Spatulas On Parade

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  51. oh how sad to hear about all the changes and the exit of some of the herons. it is interesting to hear your perspective on wild flowers as i have picked them in the past and thought it was ok. i see it is best to leave them be for everyone to enjoy!!! the first picture is a real winner!!!

    we have had really high winds here too, and cooler temperatures then we should be having!

    ReplyDelete
  52. OH so pretty...so sorry the herons didn't have a good nesting year, could have been the storm, or a predator took the eggs. OH I am always hoping to find a lady's slipper never saw one in the wild really hope no one will bother the one you found.

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  53. I always enjoy seeing wildflowers. Here in the UK many areas are being designated for this and encouraged.

    Lovely photographs.

    All the best Jan

    ReplyDelete

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Have a happy day, Eileen

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