Sneakie Little Bee

While practing with my lens this morning, I came across this sweet little guy enjoying the sun shine and a wonderful breakfast. All was well with my little bee and the world.

In sneaks lazy bee. He is to lazy to find his own flower and dot of sun shine. There has to be at least 200 blooms on my encore azaleas.

My sweet little bee and the lazy bee exchange some words. Of course they were talking in bee talk. Does anyone speak this language? Let me know if you do.

Sorry to say that lazy bee won. Sweet little bee had had enough.

It was a lot of fun to watch these two little bee through the lens of my camera.

New Lens

You have read about my recent trip to CT for a three day Photography seminar. One of the workshops I was able to attend was a Macro class. I have been looking at them for some time. The class was sponsored by Canon. My camera company, lucky for me. I was able to test shoot the 60mm, the 100mm and the 180mm. I love all three. My budget would only allow for one and I chose the Canon 100mm Macro.

Off to the back yard today to try out my new lens. It is going to take some practice but I am really looking forward to the learning curve. I have shot close up before but notice the veins in the rose. I love how the sun shines through the petals. It looks like you could reach out and touch this flower. Enjoy.

Kent Falls, located in the northeastern section of the town of Kent, is a series of waterfalls on a mountain stream known as Falls Brook. The stream begins in the town of Warren, draining an area of six or seven square miles. It then flows west to the big fall where it plunges approximately 70 feet in a dramatic cascade. From here the stream descends in a series of lesser falls and cascades to the valley, where it enters the Housatonic River some 200 feet below the brink of the big fall only a quarter mile away. Much of the limestone over which the brook flows has been carved into interesting shapes including numerous potholes of all sizes.
The Indian name of this area is "Scatacook" and there is considerable evidence that Native Americans fished and camped by the falls. Later, in colonial times, mills were also present along the brook.
Acquisition of the park began in 1919 with the gift of 200 acres by the White Memorial Foundation. Other parcels were donated or purchased until the present 295 acres were acquired. The area was developed in the 1930's by the Civil Works Administration. In the mid nineteen-seventies, considerable trail reconstruction was done by the Youth Conservation Corps of Connecticut. The covered bridge is an authentic reproduction built in 1974 by a park employee, Edmund Palmer.
The flow in the cascade at Kent is normally heaviest in the spring when the winter snow is melting. However, the falls can be dramatic at any time of the year, particularly after substantial rainstorms. Fall foliage season is also an excellent time to enjoy the area. Because of its exceptional scenic qualities, Kent Falls has been featured in a number of magazine and television advertisements.

Finally, we arrived at Kent Falls State Park. What a fabulous day is was. The weather was perfect. The falls were truly heaven sent. Please click on the photo above to make the climb with me to the top of Kent Falls State Park. I was so glad to arrive at the next landing along the way. The steps up were higher than my legs are long. As you can see from my pictures it was really worth it. Hope you enjoy the trip as much as I did. Happy climbing.

Bridge Statistics

Town: Kent

Bridge Traffic: Vehicular
Locality: Gaylordsville

Truss Type: Town Lattice & Queen Post Truss
Berkshires Bridge Carries: Bulls Bridge Road
County: Litchfield

Bridge Crosses: Housatonic River
Year Built: 1842
Builder: Unknown
Structure Characteristics:
Length: 109'-0"Span: 107 ft. -->Width: Unknown
World Guide No.: 07-03-01 T

Another little stop along the way to Kent Falls State Park, Bulls Bridge. Bulls Bridge is a beautiful little covered bridge with one way traffic. It seem to be a favorite photo stop for the people of New England. As I took my life in my own hands, I climbed down to the streams edge to take some fun shots. I discovered a warm spot in the sun on water worn smooth rocks. What a great place to curl up and read a book. I almost stepped on the little turtle as I was leaving the stream. He seemed to love to have his picture taken. Being the Mother of two boys, Jamie fell in love with him. This little guys heart with pitter patter after a kiss from her. Also note that she was 7 months pregnant at the time. Who wouldn't fall in love with someone so beautiful. Please click on the photo above to enjoy Bulls Bridge with us.

Treasure's Along the Way

Several weeks ago, the three Diva's and I attended a photography seminar in Stamford, CT. We went a day early to enjoy the beauty of New England in the fall. We were not disappointed. Our destination for the day was Kent State Park. Along the way we were awarded with so many little surprises. One was Rock Neck Beach. I wished for a few minutes my family could have been with me to have a Christmas photo taken on the drift wood long. It was a perfect spot. It was a great little spot to stretch our legs. We also stopped at a nice little stream that proved to be a good photo stop. Enjoy our stop in Ct.

Love of My Life

How do you like my new boy friend? Ain't he cute? I could not resist. You may have also noticed that the gentleman next to me was totally unconcerned about my safety. That shows what the value of life was in the old west. Tombstone, AZ. is an interesting old west town. It is a real town and holds a place in history of the old west. More pictures and facts to come. I have to show you the shoot out or numerous shoot outs.
I had to LOL at this sign. Is it not perfect for the day?

Im Hooked

Sorry if this image is a little distorted but I had to have a picture and make it fit on the page. Yes Jamie, I am hooked. I started Twilight last Sunday when we were leaving CT. I am finished and will be starting book two on my flight back to Atlanta. Debra and Judy, start reading. I can't wait for the movie. Not to give anything away but I want Edward and Bella's relationship to be complete in all ways. Jamie you know what I am talking about.

Fred and I are still in AZ. It has been an eventful week with tears, happiness and learning. We have had two days to site see. We visited a desert garden that was amazing. I will post pictures from the garden and the wild later. We also visited the old western town of Tombstone. It was the anniversary of the Shoot Out at the OK Corral. Most of the town was dressed in costume. It was great. We finished the day at Big Nose Kate's saloon. Fred and I really had a great time.

Time to go. I have to pack to leave. After being gone for 11 days, I am ready to be at home and stay at home. In September I was only home for 9 days and for October I have been gone for 15 days. I am looking forward to being at Home Sweet Home for a little while.

House Guest

Boy was it an exciting week-end at the Mortensen household. Dusty was home from school with a friend. Meet Adrien's "Bud" the 4 month old pit bull. This was the most well behaved puppy. He is house broken, minds and was willing and ready to play with my dogs. My four, spoiled rotten, ill behaved females.
This sweet little puppy tried so hard to play. Bella was the worst. She spent the week-end with her lips wrinkled up, teeth bared and the hair standing up on her back. She hated this baby at first glance. Poor Bud left with several bite marks on his face and head. Molly was next in line. Every time Bud walked by, Molly jumped up, growled and chase him 6 or 7 feet. Katie was a little better. She only growled when he walked by. Dixie was the nicest but did not want him to get her ball. Basically my girls were awful. Bud spent the majority of the time up stairs in Dusty's bonus room only to be let out for short periods of time. This little dog will never want to leave home again.

According to Katie, Dixie and Bella

"Guest, like fish, begin to smell after three (one hour in a dogs life) days."

Benjamin Franklin

Fall or Summer ???

Fall is the most beautiful time of the year in the South. The mornings are crisp and cool but it is still warm enough to swim in the afternoon. The leaves start to turn and ornamental grasses are at their best. On the other hand roses are still blooming, encore azalea's are blooming and our yard still have a hint of summer. What more could you ask for. Fred and I have enjoyed sitting outside in the evenings and watching the sun set. I spotted this little guy yesterday and had a great time watching him. The praying mantis is such a sweet little bug. His heart shaped face always makes me smile. Can you see the smile on his face? While I was taking his picture he would rise up and look at me like "Hi, what are you doing?". Butterflies need the warm sun in the morning. They have to warm their wings up before they can fly. They have enjoyed our day of perfect weather. It is not to hot for them. You can see from my pictures that they are in heaven.
This day was beautiful, there was a nice breeze and the girls and I enjoyed being out side. Click on the photo to see the rest of my day. Take time today to look around and enjoy fall in the south.

"To the attentive eye, each moment of the year

has it's own beauty... it beholds, every hour,

a picture which has never been seen before,

and which shall never be seen again."

Ralph Waldo Emerson