Saturday, December 2, 2017

Why is the Sun so Bright?

We’re back in the Sunshine State! We had a wonderful trip and enjoyed being in the mountains. I love the view we have of the Blue Ridge Mountains and I probably took about 100 photos from our balcony. And we even had good weather while we were there.

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(a ‘traveling’ pic, somewhere in Georgia)

But as we got close to home, I made a little list of ‘signs’ that we were almost home…

Great White Egrets in a pond

Banana Trees

Dolphin Mailbox

Puffy white clouds

80 degree temps

Flamingo yard ornaments

Green grass, green trees, green everything!

An Alligator Christmas decoration (in our neighborhood)

I’m busy getting things back in order and decorating a little as I go. I bought a few pixies at Hobby Lobby and can’t wait to make a little arrangement with them. I love the pretty things we surround ourselves with during the holidays. I saw lots of plaid in the stores and want to make a few things! So much to do! How about you?

Every time I went to Fletcher Park (near our condo in NC) I tried to get better photos of the ducks there.

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Lots of twigs and branches in the way, which made it hard for my camera to ‘see through’ them and focus.

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We saw lots of Hooded Mergansers.

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Aren’t they the funniest birds?

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Shovelers…

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and even Mallard Ducks.

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Most of them time they were swimming together.

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One big happy family!

We managed 4 hikes while we were there! The weather is perfect here in Florida now so we will be out on the trails soon. (highs in the 70s, lows 50s)

Have a wonderful weekend! I’ll visit you soon! Sun

I’m joining Saturday’s critters HERE

and I’d Rather B Birdin’.

34 comments:

Anonymous said...

such beautiful photos and you certainly know how to live the good life! An inspiration!

Linda @ A La Carte said...

What a wonderful trip! I'm just starting my Christmas decorating and I love it. So many memories attached to my things, a great time of the year.

eileeninmd said...

Hello, Your view from the condo is beautiful. Love all the ducks, the Hooded Mergansers are a favorite. The Shoveler is a handsome duck too. I remember seeing the dolphin mailboxes, they were cute. Wonderful photos. Welcome home!
Thank you so much for linking up and sharing your post. Happy Saturday, enjoy your day and weekend!

handmade by amalia said...

Great photos, Diane. Looks like you had an excellent time and it must be nice to be back home.
Amalia
xo

MadSnapper said...

glad to hear you are back in the sunshine state. beautiful photos of the ducks. the green remark, made me think of my husbands sister who came from PA in the winter time and when she saw St Pete, she said over and over, everything is so GREEN!!!

Susie said...

Diane, I love the pictures. My favorite duck is the Mallard, so pretty with his green head. At least they are all getting along on the pond. I am trying to decorate, but keep dragging around, not really wanting to do it. And yes, snow is on the way later this week. Blessings to you, xoxo, Susie

Arlene G said...

The mountains and the beach are my two favorite places. Both are beautiful in their own way. Glad you made it home safely!! Enjoy your decorating. I look forward to seeing your work here on the blog.

carol l mckenna said...

Lovely photos of the ducks and what fun making signs as you got closer to home ~

Happy Weekend to you,
A ShutterBug Explores
aka (A Creative Harbor)

Penny from Enjoying The Simple Things said...

Glad you enjoyed your time here and that you are home safe and sound. Great duck pictures!

A Colorful World said...

Love your header! So happy your rip was a great one! Nice shots of the closer-to-home birds too!

Author R. Mac Wheeler said...

I suggest the shoverlers are the strangest.

Who needs a beak that long?

Terri D said...

Great photos of the ducks, even through the branches. I am always impressed that you know what kind of ducks and birds you are seeing. I know, you are a birder and birders learn about those things! Ha! I'm learning from you!!

Sandy said...

I love ducks especially mallards. Your pictures are beautiful. I always feel so good when I start driving home from anywhere. When I get far enough south to see rolling fields and no hills, I feel like Home Sweet Home is almost there. I like to visit other places, but I love my home.

Inger said...

Those mountains must be so gorgeous to look out at and be in also. Glad you had a good time. The ducks are lovely.

Lauren @ My Wonderfully Made said...

STOP! You're killin' me with those things! Haha - I'm thrilled that it's almost 60 here and it should be 30 but I know the cold is a'comin! Beautiful photos - a great idea to think/document those things that tell you you are almost home :)

Lorrie said...

Glad you had good weather while you were away. Sunshine is sadly lacking around here these days, but there's hope in the forecast for this week. I'm doing some major cleaning before decorating - just taking a break now with a cup of tea before starting again. Looking forward to seeing what you'll make!

happyone said...

Beautiful pictures. The hooded mergansers sure are cool looking. I've never seen one in person. They almost look fake.
It is always nice to get back home again.

The Joy of Home with Martha Ellen said...

Diane, your header is lovely. I'm sure you are happy to be back in the Sunshine State as you prepare for the holidays. I always enjoy seeing your bird photos! Enjoy the rest of the weekend. ♥

Cherdecor said...

The Hooded Mergansers make me smile! I love them! I am glad that you got some R&R, and a lot of beautiful photos. You and your hubby really know how to live it up! Blessings to you!

Angie said...

Diane - only in the South would you find a dolphin mailbox, flamingo lawn ornaments and an alligator Christmas decoration! Love it! Our daughter arrives tomorrow, and then the decorating begins! Can't wait!

Linda said...

I love the hooded mergansers! Thanks for sharing.

BeachGypsy said...

Welcome home, welcome home my friend! Great to have you back! I am liking the duck pictures and realize I know hardly nothing about ducks, ha ha LOL. I do like the green headed mallards the best tho! Glad y'all had a safe trip and are home safely, just in time for the holidays. Our weather is the same here......PERFECT WALKING weather for sure! My favorite time of year to get out there and walk! Are you dressing your dollies up in Christmas oufits this year?

Ela said...

Wow !! Beautiful photos ! How nice to see this big winged family!
Happy Sunday !

Anni said...

I would love to see your pixie decorations once you've shared them. Let me know!!!

Great hooded mergansers this week!!! I favor the one with the male and female in the water near the swamp brush. Wonderful Diane.

As always, I found your post most pleasurable. Thank you kindly for sharing with us at I'd Rather B Birdin' this weekend.

Kathy said...

Glad you had a safe trip. I love the pictures of all the water birds, especially the mallards. They happen to be a favorite of mine.

ann said...

Love the ducks. We don't have the hooded mergansers here, I don't think. I always enjoy your hiking photos.

Jeanie said...

I adore the Mergansers. Never had heard of them till seeing them on my lake this summer -- now I hope they come back! My favorites!

Debbie said...

oh wow, lot's of wonderful ducks. i love the hooded's!! have a wonderful sunday!!!

Prunella Pepperpot said...

What piercing yellow eyes!! Great captures of the wonderful ducks. Have a lovely new week.

Lea said...

Love the Ducks!
Have a great week!

Red Rose Alley said...

I bet it was good to be back home. The flamingo yard ornaments make me smile, but I don't think I'd care for the 80 degree weather - I love the cold temps in the winter. The mallard duck is a beauty. They have the prettiest green heads.

Enjoy the Christmas season, Diane.

love, ~Sheri

NatureFootstep said...

what a wonderful trip! It is tiems like this as life is at it´s best :) Well, almost! :)

betty-NZ said...

It's funny how there's that 'place' where you have decided you are 'almost home'--I have done it all my life! You got some great scenery and awesome creatures in your travels. I always take way too many photos when we are out, but I'd much rather delete some than wish I had more.

Sallie (FullTime-Life) said...

You've been travelin' while we were away! And you got some wonderful pictures -- I love those mergansers. I am having fun catching up with all I missed -- will not bore you with comments on every post, but I am enjoying all of them.

And now, just like us, you can enjoy our wonderful Winter season here in Florida!!!