Well, May is shaping up very nicely. And busily, especially in that my fledglings will be leaving the school-nest in a few weeks and flying home. Let’s hope they don’t peck each other to death. (Only kidding! Okay, partly.)
The lovely Hugh, via his able and charming stand-in host Ronovan, has a photo challenge once again that sparked my interest: Seasons, which I interpreted as Nature. You’re shocked, right? [In any case, I do encourage you to visit blogger & author Ronovan’s blog, right over here.]
Here are a few views of the season here in the Northern Hemisphere, North American style. Oh, I’m told I should put a warning/caveat of sorts here. These photos will feature wiggly squiggly critters from outdoors.
There was one decent photo of a cute little toad(let), but I’m having a problem converting it from the phone. Besides, you’re saying “oh my glob, does she not know when to stop?” And so, I shall.
Hope you enjoy these nature photographs of the spring season.
Robin’s eggs. They should hatch soon.
Same nest, same avian ingenuity.
Tiny grapes a’growin.
The kids call her Charlotte.
The fungus that looked like a flat rodent.
Avian ingenuity, part 2.
Hey, human, you talkin’ to me?
Ssssstay away from me, lady!
Yesss, I’m colorful, but didn’t I tell you to get losssst already?
A wonderful set of spring photos. Those robin eggs are such a unique blue. So pretty. It’s certainly not warm enough here in the UK for snakes to emerge from hibernation. For the whole of last week, we had a cutting northerly wind, frosts, and zero temperature at dawn for two mornings running. Has warmed up a little bit now, but now it’s grey and raining. Thanks for reminding me what spring is meant to look like!
Great pictures Leigh, those nests really are ingenious. As Sarah said we haven’t had much of spring here this last week – snow, rain, hail and freezing temperatures, then a lovely spring afternoon today.
Love the robin eggs image and I am hopeful that you were using a zoom lens for the snake encounter. Looked pretty up close and personal!
I was using a zoom, Sue, but I also was on the ground (like a snake, on my belly) to get a good shot, probably about 5 feet away. I can be crazy to get a good photo, though I wanted to be closer. Anyway, s/he didn’t strike at me, so knock on wood. My lucky day!
Good grief Leigh you sound crazier than me! Take care out there.
Okay, I love all of the spring photos, BUT, I am so very curious about the SNAKE!!!! We have snakes here and one (I swear it was a Copperhead, which are native to our area) scared the heck out of me a few years ago. Do you know what type of snake that was, in your photo? It looks a lot like the one I saw, coiled up, ready to strike at my dog. Thank goodness my dog listened to me and walked away!
I wish I knew, Swoosieque. The one snake book I’m looking for, I cannot find on the shelf. I’ll keep looking, but my assumption is that what I saw was a common garter snake. I suppose it maybe could be a copperhead; I think they are around here, too, but I’m not 100% sure. If I remember correctly and you’ve not moved, you’re in OK. We’re kinda bi-state, IL/MO, .as far as animal & plant range.
I agree, I think much of our wildlife are very similar. My husband told me that a quick way to identify a poisonous snake is by their eyes. I told him that I don’t wait around to investigate the snake’s eyes, I just leave in a hurry! Haha
I know! I’ve heard that too. My eyes are not that good, nor do I want my face that close to a snake. I’m looking at this source–it’s really good—and thinking either Common Garter Snake or maybe Plains Garter Snake for the one I photo’d. Apparently, common garters are mildly venomous, so they might be problematic to a child or small dog or petite adult maybe. {?} Here’s the link {I used p. 5}: http://www.whatsnakeisthat.com/midwest/missouri.html?start=32
Thanks Leigh! I’m still going to scurry away from any snakes I see though. But, knowledge is power. 😀
The photos are wonderful. I ‘specially like the first snake shot.
Thank you, TN!
Great photos! But yeeks, I would have been slowly backing away if I saw a snake rather than taking photos 🙂
Thanks, Dr Ali! Yeah, I did back off some . . . first, ran inside to get camera (I was mowing grass, removed a board, et voila, there s/he was). But I didn’t like how the zoom photos were turning out, so I was belly on the ground, probably about 5 feet away. I guess s/he still could have struck, but thankfully didn’t.
A lovely set of photos, Leigh. How lovely to have the nest of a Robin in your garden. The Robin is my favourite garden bird, but I’ve never seen one of its nests. I hope those chicks hatch safely.
When I got to the photos of the snake I had to look away being as it’s at number one of my most feared creatures. Thank goodness Toby did not hear me scream. 😱
Thank you for joining in the challenge hosted by Ronovan.
[…] Leigh, at Leigh’s Wordsmithery, shows off Mother Nature at her very best. Her photos show us what the season of Spring is all about as the outside wakes up and looks forward to another long season of sunshine and warmth. […]
Congratulations Leigh, I have featured your entry to my recent photo challenge on my blog.
https://hughsviewsandnews.com/2016/05/03/hughs-weekly-photo-challenge-week-24-hats/
Thank you so much for participating.
Best wishes,
Hugh
Thank you so kindly, Hugh. I hoped you enjoyed the non-blogging time!
Well, it was mostly spent unpacking boxes, Leigh 😀. But, you know what? It’s great to be back here.
It’s good to see your smiling face again, Hugh. Here I thought you were at a blogging meeting the last weekend, like doing something fun. I guess unpacking can be kind of fun, though, as when you re-discover you have something fabulous that you’d forgotten you had.
I was at a Book Fair on Saturday, Leigh, and the day away from unpacking boxes was a welcome relief. It was great fun at the book fair so I was very pleased to have had the day away from the new house. 😀
That’s what I thought, Hugh, that I’d seen your photo on Christoph’s blog, I think it was, as being at a book fair. When’s your book coming out, Hugh (hint, hint)? 🙂
Well, Christoph has just announced a Christmas Book Fair on December 10th, so I’ve told him I’ll have the book out by then. Now, I’ve got my work cut out, Leigh 😀
Sounds exciting, Hugh. I can’t wait to get your book (and figure out how to get it autographed tho I’m not in the UK)!
I’ll personally sign a copy and send it to you, Leigh. 😀
Woo-hoo!
What great photos! I loved the birds! ❤
Thank you so much. I definitely have a soft spot for birds, too.
Fabulous photos Leigh. I essspecially like the sssslithery sssssnake.
Thanks, Joe. I was up in his/her face, so I’m glad I snapped him rather than the other way around.
That’s an impressive ecosystem, Leigh! I like the snake what kind is it!
I’m not sure, Zteve. I can’t find the snake book on my shelf that I’m searching for; my belief is that it’s a common garter snake. We’ll see! I’ll let you know if I find out differently.
These are some mighty impressive photos Leigh. Great choices for Hugh’s challenge last week.
Thank you so much, Miriam. I was lucky to spot these photo opportunities; then I discovered today that my son’s schoolroom has a robin’s nest with 4 eggs in it. All the little kids are enthralled (okay, me too), because the window is tinted and the bird doesn’t see them very well. Thank you again for stopping by to comment. Take care!
My absolute pleasure. Enjoyed your post.
Love these spring photos, Leigh! I must say, though, that my lens would definitely not be long enough for me to capture a photo of that huge snake! LOL!
To be honest, my long-distance lens was not making me happy either, Linda. I probably got a little too close, though I think this was/is a common garter snake or maybe a plains garter snake, neither likely to cause much problem in an adult. (Not that I’d want to be bitten, tho!)
Such brilliant captures these are!
Thank you, Hammad. I love your profile pic, too!
Thanks, though it’s old now and I’m thinking about changing it.
Hello Leigh: I’m so glad I finally was able to stop by. What lovely photographs! I’m a true bird lover so you have captured my heart in addition to your pictures! And, I must say, even the snake is a beauty! Great job. 🙂 🙂
Thank you so much, Kim. I’m very fond of birds as well (tho my husband gets annoyed when they poop on the cars!).
Such beautiful photos!
Thank you, ladies!