Monday, August 17, 2020

Our World, My World

 Hello everyone,

 We are pretty much doing the same thing here, staying safe and close to home.  We are taking our walks of different local fire roads.  I have a mish-mash of photos, taken during our walks or from around the yard.  

I do have a happy news update: hubby and I are going to be grandparents, congrats to my son Brian and DIL Allie. Baby Wise is due in February. 

Ruby-throated Hummingbird seem at the Salvia plant. 




Flowers, bird and butterflies  seen around our yard: the Purple Coneflowers, Upright Fuchsia,  Eastern Tiger Swallowtail butterfly, Ruby-throated Hummingbird, grape tomato plant. 




The Purple Coneflowers and the bees are a happy sight. 










I've been seeing the Brown Thrasher around the yard, sometimes it is near the blueberry bushes.










On the fire road, another bird watcher, Chipping Sparrow, Ruby-throated Humminbird silhouette, Male Northern Cardinal, the fire road, Cedar Waxwing, Blue-Gray Gnatcatcher, Gray Catbird and possible Thistle. 



It is nice our walk was mostly in the shade on the fire road.




We are finding a few mushrooms or fungi along the fire roads. 


I like checking out our flowers and plants in the yard.  Our potted plants have to be watered often, it seems like the rain goes around us. This Upright Fuchsia is doing well, lots of blooms.



The butterfly bushes are attracting a lot of different butterflies.  Below are the Black Swallowtail butterflies.





The Eastern Tiger Swallowtail butterfly seem to be doing well this year.  




 Hubby and I are remaining safe and virus free. Maryland Covid cases are on the decline. On the day I typed this post,  the numbers for positive Covid cases in my state have been below 4% for the last 6 days.  I hope everyone stays safe, happy and healthy.  




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!

129 comments:

  1. Hello Eileen,
    Beautiful birds, flowers and butterfles! The Swallowtails are my favorites. They are all so pretty!
    Enjoy your day, and have a nice new week ahead!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you Marit!
      Take care, have a great week!

      Delete
  2. Hello Eileen,
    beautiful shots, as usual.
    Congratulations and all the best for the great news!
    I can imagine your joy.
    Happy new week ahead!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you Luisella,
      It is happy news!
      Enjoy your day, have a happy new week!

      Delete
  3. I enjoyed reading. Thank you for sharing.
    Stay healthy and well.

    Happy MosaicMonday

    ReplyDelete
  4. These areas are great both for exercise and wildlife, Eileen. It's great that you have them so close. I bet they have been a real lifeline during COVID.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks David! yes, we are happy to have all these trails close to home.
      We do not have to drive anywhere and we hardly see people.
      Have a great day and new week!

      Delete
  5. Morning Eileen,
    Lovely bird and butterfly captures. We are getting lots of Red Admirals on our Buddleia bushes, they are very colourful but not as dramatic as your swallowtails.
    Guess what, I used your microwave tip for drying sage leaves last week and name checked you in my MM post today.
    Stay Safe, take care.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hello Maggie,
      I have visited your blog and thanks for mentioning my blog and name. Using the micorwave to dry the herbs is quick and easy and I love the smell of the dried herbs. Thank you for the visit and comment.
      Take care and have a great new week!

      Delete
  6. Thank you for the comment and visit.
    Have a great day and a happy new week!

    ReplyDelete
  7. Exciting news!! Congratulations to your son and DIL. You will have a new little one to spoil. We've been seeing a blue-gray gnatcatcher in our apple tree recently. So small!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you Vera! I am so happy for my son and DIL, they are ready to start a family. The Blue-gray Gnatcatchers are cute and tiny. Have a great day!

      Delete
  8. Que lindas fotos e entre elas, uma notícia MARAVILHOSA! Parabéns e boa doce espera! beijos, tudo de bom,chica

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you Chica! We are excited!
      Have a hapy day and a great new week!

      Delete
  9. Congrats on the very exciting news!!! Your photos are all gorgeous. I love the little humming bird. Have a beautiful day :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you Martha! I wish my hummer photo was clear, it was taken through the window screen.
      Take care, enjoy your day! Wishing you a happy new week!

      Delete
  10. Complimenti ai futuri nonni.
    Bellissime le foto di questo post.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks so much Stefania! Take care, enjoy your day! Wishing you a happy new week!

      Delete
  11. Hari OM
    Oh what wonderful news to brighten your lives - and your post with all those wonderful flowers as well as birds and insects just shines in my very grey and damp day! YAM xx

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Yam! During these times, it is nice to have some happy news!
      Enjoy your day, have a great new week!

      Delete
  12. Hi Eileen,
    Beautiful series of photos.
    Love the Eastern Tiger Swallowtail butterfly and the forest trail is beautiful too.
    Here in the Netherlands, the number of corona infections is increasing again, if this continues we will be in a second lockdown in September.
    I wish you a nice new week, stay safe.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hello Irma,
      Thanks for the visit and comment. I hope you stay safe, take care.
      Wishing you a happy new week!

      Delete
  13. ...beautiful, I have given up taking hummingbird pictures!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Tom! I will keep trying, I should have to avoid the window screen, lol.
      Have a happy day!

      Delete
  14. congratulations on the new grandchild. will this be your first one? glad your virus is dropping in your state. school starts today down here, hoping all will go well... LOVE the two swallotails with purple flowers..

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Sandra! Yes, it will be our first grandchild.
      I hope all the school kiddies, staff and parents stay safe!
      Have a great day!

      Delete
  15. Hello Eileen,
    Nice pictures. The butterflies and coneflowers are very nice.
    And a wonderful collage with all different birds.

    Greetings, Marco

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you Marco!
      Enjoy your day, have a great week ahead!

      Delete
  16. Birds, butterflies, flowers and that road to coax us onward. You know how to draw us in, Eileen!

    ReplyDelete
  17. That Tiger Swallowtail shot is gorgeous!

    ReplyDelete
  18. I'm so happy for you to know there's a baby on the way! What a blessing for the whole family. Love the birds and mushrooms and I like seeing the trail you walk. We've been seeing a different butterfly, now I wonder if it's the E. Tiger. I haven't been able to get a photo yet. Hugs!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Diane! The family is excited and happy!
      Enjoy your day, have a great week ahead!

      Delete
  19. Great post of pretty flowers and birds. Thanks for stopping by my blog.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you Barbara!
      Take care, have a great day and new week!

      Delete
  20. As always, your post is most captivating. Thank you and wishing you well, dear friend!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you for the comment!
      Enjoy your day, have a great week!

      Delete
  21. Such exciting news. Congratulations on the new grand baby on the way. Will this be your first grandchild?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Dee! It is exciting news!
      Have a great day!

      Delete
  22. You have beautiful flowers in your yard for all the hummingbirds and butterflies to visit. The fire road looks so cool and an inviting place to walk. Congratulations of the great news of your first grandchild to be born this winter! So much joy to look forward to!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Pat! We are happy for our son and DIL, such happy news!
      Have a great day!

      Delete
  23. Congrats on the news!! I love all the photos the birds and the flowers...Glad the numbers are dipping in your area!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you Sondra! I hope you are feeling better.
      Take care, enjoy your day!

      Delete
  24. Woohoo! What great news, Eileen. Never knew until 3 and a half years ago what a joy it is to be grandparents. Lovely photos from your world! Have a great week.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you Ellen!
      We are excited and happy!
      Have a great week!

      Delete
  25. Congrats on the news, Eileen! You will be able to teach the little one all about birds!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. LOL, that would be nice!
      Thank you for the comment.
      Have a great week!

      Delete
  26. Eileen ~ wonderful capture of that hummingbird ~ Wow! And other nature shots are awesome as always ~ ^_^

    Live each moment with love,

    A ShutterBug Explores,
    aka (A Creative Harbor)

    ReplyDelete
  27. Grandparenthood, the best part of your life is ahead, starting right now and in February you will graduate!!!~ Down here, a new cluster in Auckland, many cases, a lot in quarantine, last update 3 in hospital, in our area we are being very careful, and I have made fabric masks and posted them off to family, they can slide a bought disposable one inside, use that again, and wash the fabric one each time. Bought ones in shops, home made ones on Trade me are showing huge prices, one hat factory during the last lockdown turned all his machines into making masks, probably bu the thousands.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Jean! I hope you are staying safe and well.
      Take care! Have a happy new week!

      Delete
  28. Congratulations, Eileen. A future bird and nature lover, she'll be visiting her grandparents a lot. :) Beautiful photos of the birds, butterflies and flowers. Thanks for sharing and have a great day and a wonderful new week.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Bill! I appreciate the comment.
      Take care!Have a happy week ahead.

      Delete
  29. Beautiful pictures
    I liked your pictures of the butterflies
    have a happy new week

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you Mikael!
      Take care! Have a happy week ahead.

      Delete
  30. Congratulations, Grandma!

    What a lovely set of photographs! Many of your birds will soon be heading our way as migration is already beginning (albeit slowly).

    Thank you so much, Eileen, for sharing nature's beauty with us!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Wally. I hope you will be out capturing all those migrating birds coming your way.
      Take care! Have a happy week ahead.

      Delete
  31. Amazing capture on the hummingbird Eileen! An officemate of mine gave me a fire bush to plant at home because she said humming birds visit them in their garden but the bush died in our place :(

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks for the visit and comment!
      Take care! Have a happy week ahead.

      Delete
  32. wonderful garden and nature photos today - thanks for taking me on a stroll with you

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you Carol!
      Take care! Have a happy week ahead.

      Delete
  33. I love purple coneflowers, maybe because they are one of the few flowers I can recognize. We are having a few monarchs in our garden with the current migration. I am glad that you and husband are both healthy and congratulations on the grandchild to come. We took our son to college this past weekend. We hope he can stay there for a little while.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you Yogi! I hope your son can stay at college, safe and healthy.
      I have only seen a few Monarchs, one just today!
      Take care! Have a happy week ahead.

      Delete
  34. Love those bird watchers LOL kitties are such entertaining critters. Beautiful photos.
    Congrats!! Grandbabies are the best.
    Dawn aka Spatulas On Parade

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you Dawn!
      We've been seeing more of those "bird watchers" on the trail.
      We are excited and happy for our son and DIL.
      Take care, have a happy day!

      Delete
  35. Congratulations! That's wonderful news! And celebrated with gorgeous photos! Happy week. (Can it get happier?)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you Jeanie! It is happy news!
      Enjoy your day and the week ahead!

      Delete
  36. oh eileen, what awesome news, congratulations!!! your images are beautiful today!! i am staying home as much as possible, but the fire has been a real problem as it requires us to do a lot of things we don't normally do!!

    our virus numbers have been going down too, i sure do hope it stays that way!!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you Debbie
      We are excited and happy!
      Have a great week!

      Delete
  37. That are wonderful flowers and bird! Congratulations that everything is ok with you and it will get better!
    Greetings Elke

    ReplyDelete
  38. Congrats to you 'grand-people'😊
    Happy Monday.I have one 7 year granddaughter
    A blessing, the delight of my heart.

    Much💝love

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you Gillena
      We are excited and happy!
      Have a great week!

      Delete
  39. Congratulations, Grandma-to-be Eileen! That's awesome news. Also, that the covid19 rate in your state has been consistently low! California is still scorching in positive cases. So much for the theory that this virus would disappear with warmer temperatures. Oh well, I shall continue to think positively and hunker in place with the Husband. Cheers, Eileen. :-)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you Su-sieee
      Our Governor took action right away, he does care about Maryland residents.
      We are excited and happy!
      Have a great week!

      Delete
  40. My corner of the world is very quiet. I go for groceries and that's it. Now I am out in my yard most of the time so that's a plus.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you Red!
      We go for walk and to the store.
      Have a great week!

      Delete
  41. Oh that is good news!!! Congratulations!!!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you Karen!
      We are excited and happy!
      Have a great week!

      Delete
  42. What great photos! You seem to be surrounded by lots of great wildlife. Everything is beautiful!
    And congratulations, especially, on your happy news!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you Kay!
      We are excited and happy!
      Have a great day!

      Delete
  43. Congrats.... How many grands do you all have now? It's hard to believe that I have 2 GREAT Grands... My 5 Grands have all grown up... Where does time go????

    Glad your Covid cases are getting less and less.... We still have it around here some ---so we are still being careful.. But--hopefully this won't go on FOREVER!!!!!

    Beautiful pictures. I always love your nature and bird pictures...
    Hugs,
    Betsy

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you Betsy!
      This will be our 1st grandchild.
      We are excited and happy!
      Have a great week!

      Delete
  44. I'd love to stroll down that fire road. Looks like a great place to walk.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you Sandra
      We enjoy our strolls and all the nature.
      Have a great week!

      Delete
  45. Congratulation for you and your hubby to be grandparent....may God bless all your families.
    Love hummingbird and all wildlife photos.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you Tanza!
      We are excited and happy!
      Have a great week!

      Delete
  46. on congrats on the good news. I think I've got a long time before that happens here.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you Amy!
      We are excited and happy!
      Have a great week!

      Delete
  47. Helloo, Congratulations :) Greetings.
    Beautiful pics.Stay well.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you Rupam Sarma!

      Take care, have a great day!

      Delete
  48. Beautiful flowers & birds. I hope the covid #s decline nation-wide now.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Anni! We all wish that Covid would just go away, I would like things to be "normal" again.
      If that is even possible any more. Mean time, stay safe! Take care, have a great day!

      Delete
  49. The summer is so short! Good for you for capturing all these critters.
    Our region hasn't had a COVID case in 5 weeks. We are doing well. Back to school, though, worries me.

    ReplyDelete
  50. Eileen - congratulations on becoming grandparents! As I have observed with my older siblings, it is a wonderful phase of life! Glad to hear COVID is on the decline in Maryland. As always, your pictures are a delicious slice of everyday life - today I am drawn to the butterflies! Thanks for linking up to Mosaic Monday!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hello Angie,
      Thank you for the comment and visit.
      Take care, enjoy your day! Have a happy week ahead!

      Delete
  51. Hi Eileen :) The fire road looks really nice to walk on. It's lovely. You got some really nice closeups of those butterflies! I love your bird mosaic! I've tried to capture a photo of hummingbirds, but they are too quick for me! :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you Rain! Sometimes the hummers will sit for a bit, long enough for a photo.
      Take care, enjoy your day!

      Delete
  52. Hi Eileen, beautiful photos. Congrats to be grandparents. I have 2 grandsons, 2 and 4 years old.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you Caroline! Take care, enjoy your day!

      Delete
  53. Congratulations Eileen for becoming grandmother and many wishes to your son and daughter-in-law. Nice photos of birds, flowers and butterflies... and you should be glad to live close to these trails, to keep you sometime outdoor during these pandemic days. Hope you continue to stay safe

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hello Jeevan,
      Thanks for the visit and comment!
      Take care! Have a happy week ahead.

      Delete
  54. Beautiful photos of nature! Congratulations on becoming grandparents, hope all goes well for the expectant parents

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hello Juliet
      Thanks for the visit and comment!
      Take care! Have a happy week ahead.

      Delete
  55. La Naturaleza nos obsequia con numerosos regalos. Animales y plantas son de gran belleza.

    Yo no salgo a fotografiar desde que comenzó la pandemia, pero tengo una buena canatidad de fotos en mis archivos.

    Desde España le deseo un feliz día.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks for the visit and comment!
      Take care! Have a happy week ahead.

      Delete
  56. Replies
    1. Thanks for the visit and comment!
      Take care! Have a happy week ahead.

      Delete
  57. Replies
    1. Thanks for the comment!
      Take care! Have a happy week ahead.

      Delete
  58. The hummingbird is like a dive bomber. I saw one today but couldn't get close enough with my camera. The thrasher looks so much like a woodthrush. We have both.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hello Colleen,
      we have both the Thrasher and Wood Thrush here too.
      Thanks for the visit and comment!
      Take care! Have a happy week ahead.

      Delete
  59. Congratulations!! That is so exciting! What fun, critters and baby pictures! Love your photographs, what beautiful butterflies, bugs and flowers!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you Nancy!
      The whole family is happy and excited!
      Take care! Have a happy week ahead.

      Delete
  60. Time Seems Irrelevant When I Land On Your Post - That First Photo, Love It - Congrats On Adding To The Family Tree

    Cheers

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks so much for the visit and comment.
      Take care, enjoy your day!

      Delete
  61. Hi, congrats to the great family news. :) Being a grandparent is great!
    Fine birds and nature for your mosaic. Love the swallowtail butterflies :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hello Monica,
      It is happy news for the family!
      Thanks so much for the visit and comment.
      Take care, enjoy your day!

      Delete
  62. Oh, Eileen, such exciting news! You are going to love being Grandparents! So many beautiful birds, flowers and butterflies on your walks. I really love those black swallowtails. Good to hear your area has declining cases. Take care and stay cool x Karen

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you Karen,
      Hubby and I and the whole family are happy.
      Thanks so much for the visit and comment.
      Take care, enjoy your day!

      Delete
  63. Once again you've shared some wonderful photographs.

    Most importantly you've shared some wonderful news :)
    Many congratulations to your son and DIL and you and your hubby.
    A grandchild to be born next February, that is so very special.

    My good wishes to all.

    All the best Jan

    ReplyDelete

Hello, thank you for visiting my blog. I always appreciate your comments.

BTW, Anonymous comments unless a name is included will not be published. Also, comments with links will be deleted.

Have a happy day, Eileen

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