Photography

[kian]

Kris great idea! If Linda doesn't mind I will steal it and use it as my FB avi.
The Lion is fantastic, that must of been beautiful to see.

Linda you should use that butterfly as your FB avi, that is a great shot and the Praying mantis looks like it has some pink on it to match the flower. The capital building is a really nice building, I like the way you captured it.

RJM that is a great shot, it is almost like wheres Waldo, he is blending in really nicely.

[Sadie G]

Kian - of course you can use it for your fb avi!! I was thinking about going to the city to see if they would let me place a plaque on it with the name "Kian".... !!! Yes by all means use it, I'm glad you like it

RJM, thats a great photo! It does blend in well, it took me a little while to find the praying mantis! I love the photo! On my gardening site there is a game we play called "Do you see me now". I might play with your photo a little to make it a little more distant and use it in the game if its ok with you. I already have one of mine to use next time one needs to be posted, but I like your photo, the praying mantis blends so well!! I won't use it without your permission though

I was a little leary about posting the Praying Mantis photos, didn't know if they would freak anyone out. I have always been fascinated by them too. I'm glad you all liked them! RJM, I wonder if mine may be having little ones soon? I didn't really think anything of the fat belly, but it is big isn't it!! And yes Kian, it is pink! I tried to photograph it so the pink belly showed, I'm glad you could see it. I have NO idea how these creatures reproduce??? Do they lay eggs, could it be full of eggs. Now I'm curious.

[kian]

I don't know about Mantis reproduction, maybe Alina will know. Thanks, I just stole the pic and I am going back and forth between here and FB.

[RubyJeansMom]

Linda, Sure you can go ahead and use the photo, I don't mind.
I also found some info on the praying mantis and it looks like yours could be pregnant.
Yay, more babies...I really like Praying Mantis too Alina!

One generation develops each season. In the autumn, females lay eggs in a large mass or cluster (an inch or so long), in a frothy, gummy substance glued to tree twigs, plant stems and other objects. Overwintering occurs in the egg stage in this case. Tiny nymphs emerge from the egg mass in the spring or early summer.

Kris, It's hanging upside down in the pic, so the head is by the butterfly and the body is above that.

[4 the Dogs]

OH! I see it (thanks Linda's OH on FB and RJM here!) It blends right in with the grass...tricky!

[Sadie G]

LOL! I'm glad you could finally see it Kris! Its a great photo, it does blend right in.

I got a few photos of some different butterflies tonight! We were putting the cover on the pool and while the OH was doing some pre-lim "stuff" before us putting on the cover I was walking around looking at the flowers. I noticed there were NEW butterflies, so out came the camera again . I haven't even loaded them to the computer yet, we ended up having company come over. I'll get to them sometime this weekend. Its someone else's turn to post some again

[RubyJeansMom]

Here's a pic I took from our Balloon Festival a couple weeks ago.

[4 the Dogs]

There is something really cool about balloons! Great picture Roxanne!

These are some pictures I took Sept 6, 2002, but thought it'd be appropriate to share today. There was a flag traveling around the US taken from Ground Zero. I worked for a bank at the time who had just completed the tallest building between Chicago and Denver. The bank was honored to get to fly this flag for a few days. I worked in the facilities department and was part of the project, so this was really neat for us! These are pictures of the flag raising ceremony. I remember the flag to be soiled and tattered, but looking at these pictures you don't see it, the flag looks like it is in pretty good condition.

















A view of downtown Omaha:

[Sadie G]

RJM, I love the hot air balloon pictures! That is one of the most awesome sights to watch and you got a great photo! They have a hot air balloon competition every May to start the race week. I'm hoping to get to go next year, its always crowded but it would be great to see.

Kris, how appropriate!! I was in awe of the whole raising of the flag and that it came from ground zero. I like your downtown too! The walkway beside the water looks like a relaxing place to stroll, very nice!

[kian]

RJM thanks for the Mantis info. I love your balloon shots, they would be fun and colorful to take pics of.

Linda you said exactly what I thought. How appropriate for Kris to post the pics today of the ground zero flag. Thanks Kris!
Downtown Omaha looks very clean and a nice place to stroll.

There is a hot hair balloon comp in Albuquerque in the fall, I would love to go.
I have been taking pics of the riverwalk, I will post when I get some good ones. It is dog walking heaven there.

[Sadie G]

RJM, I forgot to thank you for the Praying Mantis info! I've gone back out there looking for her but can't find her anywhere. She may have moved on or is in one of the other plants. From the description the area that she was in is a prime place for her to lay her eggs. I sure won't be cutting down those flowers or stems even after they dry out until next year!

I did get a couple of different butterfly photos! And a couple of bees. There were some huge bees on these plants along with all of the honeybees and butterflies. None of them seemed to mind me barging into their little world

I thought at first this was a Monarch Butterfly, but after looking it up online I don't think it is. Maybe in the same family? If anyone knows what it is let me know! Edit: I found out this is a "Painted Lady Butterfly"





This is a side view of the same butterfly. It was as beautiful on the outside wing as on the inside, it has a lacy look. Oh, I just noticed the 2 honeybees in the photo too!



I know this is a Skipper Butterfly of some kind, but I can't find the exact pattern online. The closest I could find was a Northern Blue, but I don't think thats exactly what it is. It was very delicate looking though. Edit: Found out this is an "Eastern Tail Blue Butterfly"





And last but not least the big old bee! This was close to an inch long! But I'm not sure if its a bumblebee. It has yellow but no stripes

[Oliver & Henry's Mum]

Linda the photos are beautiful. I am always struck by the symmetry of colours in the wings of a butterfly. Nature is so perfect sometimes. The bees were also lovely.

Kris, I also enjoyed your photos.

[kian]

Linda those are absolutely beautiful. I must agree with Deb, nature is so perfect and so pretty. That close up of the bee is something.

[Sadie G]

Aww, thanks to you both. I think that bee may be a yellow jacket? They are huge!

We need some new pictures going here. I'll have some this weekend, but if anyone has any before then, post away!

Oh and Deb, the butterfly garden closed on the 8th! I thought they would be open through October, some are, but no such luck! Next year

[RubyJeansMom]

Took this when I was out and about today. The Pumpkin Patch