as seen this week

Things have been pretty quiet around here. This last week seems to have been all about Trees. My beloved Prairie Fire Crab apple tree had to be cut down a week ago because it had fire blight. I loved that tree and its location. It provided me TONS of photo opportunities. I cried when I cut it down. And five days later, the nursery came to plant a new one. We moved the location, which isn't as convenient for me and my camera, but here was a recent visitor.
Here is the corner in one of my flowers beds.
While the tree trimmers were here taking out a 65-ft maple tree, at the back edge of our yard on the creek bank, I was never too far with the camera. I was thrilled to turn around and find this beauty flitting around.

This is the same butterfly- not as pretty of a pose, but hard at work. {click pic for larger image}

This is a new plant (to me). Its called Candy Corn plant. It vines around and looks just like the little candies. The tag says it can be "wintered over" in the house, so I might have to try this one.

At least the rains bring lots of photographic chances. I found these in the early morning after a stormy night, on my evergreen tree. I looked about 30 mins after, and the tree was completely dry.

Apparently, when you are getting that unique shot, there must be an "invisible cloak" that covers you, since I was in the front yard, pajama clad and sporting full bed-head hair didn't bring comments or honking horns.

And because no blog shall be complete without a picture of a duck (or chipmunk)...here it today's choice - Duck On A Roof. Our roof. Steve and I were having dinner on the deck, and this guy had to test his brakes when he spotted us. He waddled back and forth up there, quacking away, trying to decide if he was hungry enough to risk coming down to snack on some bird seed. He eventually coasted off onto the ground.

Enjoy your own views...from wherever you are.