My last day visiting with my mother in law near Hilton Head, I woke up early and decided to take one last trip to the beach before heading home. So glad I did because I had this awesome opportunity to photograph a bald eagle! You never know what kind of opportunities you will have. Sometimes you come home without even one good photo, but sometimes you get lucky.

The great blue heron is such a common bird in our area that I just refer to it as great blue. It’s still a fascinating bird to photograph and even more exciting when it’s feeding. Just a couple little fish today.

The great white egret was nearly extinct in the late 1800s due to the popularity of its feathers for fashion. With the help of conservationists, they made a comeback and were adopted as the symbol of the National Audubon Society. They are commonly found in the south near marshes, ponds, and other water sources. They normally lay 3-4 eggs and both parents participate with incubation and also with feeding the young. Chicks may wander out of the nest at 3 weeks and are able to fly at 6-7 weeks. I had the pleasure of photographing this nest on 3 occasions this year- first in April, a second time in May, and a final time in July.

I’ve noticed as it’s been cooler in the mornings that there are bees just laying on flowers, so I looked into it and they aré actually sleeping, waiting for the temperature to rise. Sleeping near the nectar source of a flower provides more warmth. Their body temp needs to be at least 86 degrees in order to be active. There is still so much to learn about these creatures, but if you see this, rest assured, they are not dead or being lazy- they are simply waiting to warm up enough to be active!

I was a little jealous the other day when Andy got to hold a hummingbird, but today it was my turn! Shortly after arriving to work, a bird flew into our front door and knocked itself out. At first I thought it was dying because it curled into a little ball and was not moving, but I gently picked it up and it perched in my hand. It stayed there contently for a while until I tried to put it in the ground, when it promptly flew away. So glad it was ok and even happier that I got to hold it!

Last summer I saw these hawks almost daily at various parks and they were even found perching on the utility poles outside our house. I saw them so often that I wasn't even excited about photographing them anymore! This year I've only seen them a few times, so I was thrilled to see two of them this morning at Dorthea Dix Park in Raleigh, NC.

Experimenting with black & white photography at VIR. A different setting from my usual, but working on capturing some interesting shots.

Sometimes flowers can look even more detailed and beautiful in black & white than in color.

When you flap your wings about 52 times per second, sometimes you need to take a break!

There are about 150 species of roses and thousands of different hybrids. They are considered shrubs and their petals can be eaten and are sometimes used in salads or desserts. They are used in perfumes and rosewater has anti-inflammatory properties. Though most commonly associated with love, historically, they have also signified secrecy. Their colors also symbolize a variety of emotions- Red for love, Pink for gratitude, Orange for enthusiasm and passion, Yellow for friendship, and White for innocence and purity. As we near the end of the floral season, enjoy the roses - their fragrance and beauty!

I’m a sucker for these walkways. They’re so inviting.

I always enjoy photographing this bird even though they seem to be everywhere

Amazing oak tree in Airlie Garden in Wilmington, NC. The stories this tree could tell if it could speak.

Today while taking photos at JC Raulston Arboretum in Raleigh, we came across a hummingbird that had gotten stuck in a garden spider's web. Andy quickly took a stick and got it out. We thought it had died of shock because it wasn't moving, but when he opened his hands, it struggled out and fell on the ground. It's wings were so entangled with the spider's web that it couldn't fly. While Andy carefully removed the web from it's wings it was perfectly still and didn't struggle. Finally it was able to fly away. What a happy ending to his day and ours. Maybe not so much for the spider though.

This beautiful view is located in Asheville, NC

Monarch or viceroy- I’m not sure, but they are both beautiful!

Met this great couple the other morning. She's due in just a few days!

There was a wedding going on in the garden and when I saw the sign, I thought it was so adorable.