Happy March! March came in like a Lion and brought our snow totals up to almost average. We had been having a mild winter up until recently. Hopefully, it will be out like a Lamb. Today it is back to mild. I am ready for spring. The snow has been pretty, but I am looking forward to seeing a bit of green.
The local eagle pair are currently incubating in the nest. By the end of the month, there should be a hatch. I am looking foward to seeing chicks and activity at the nest.
The picture this month is the Blackwater River as seen from Clothespin Bridge in Webster, NH. It is a very pretty area not far from me.
Hope this finds everyone well! (I am enjoying the freedom of retirement :).
Yesterday, I was out looking for photo opportunities. I was doing my regular eagle loops to check on the local pair, and I always look for owls, deer, or other wildlife. I wasn’t seeing much where I was driving, so I decided to head toward Riverhill. As I was driving, my cell phone received a call from an anonymous number. I didn’t answer; but I did pull over and noticed there was a voicemail. It was from a local bird watcher alerting me of a Barred Owl sighting on Eel Street (very close to my apartment) along the Contoocook River. I headed there and sure enough, a beautiful Barred Owl was perched in a tree. I took a bunch of photos but did not go to close so I would not scare it away. The above photo is my favorite shot. I took this shot after lunch when I went back to Eel street and the owl had flown across the street and was perched on a limb above the river. I pulled over and hid behind a tree and snapped some photos. Not longer after I snapped this shot, a couple kids came down the street and the owl flew off. Unfortunately, I was not ready for a flight shot. The owl flew right by me into the trees across the street.
Kids will be kids. They were excited that there was an owl and made a little bit too much noise. I appreciated that I had the chance to see and photograph the Barred Owl. For those wondering why I entitled this post “Who Cooks for You?” – a Barred Owl’s call can sound like it is saying “Who Cooks for You?” It has been at least a few years since I have taken a photo of an owl. It is always such a pleasure to see one. Luckily, now that I am retired, I am more able to respond to bird sightings in the area!
Happy 2023 to All! 2023 – wow! The years certainly fly by. The local eagle pair have returned again, and I am looking forward to watching them and their nest this year. I will have more time to do so as well. Effective, 1/1/2023 – I am Retired! Right now, I just feel like I am on vacation. I am sure after a few weeks, retirement will sink in. I like the idea of my weeks being six Saturdays and one Sunday 🙂
I don’t have too much to say today – but stay tuned!
Best wishes of Health & Happiness to all for the New Year!
Maisey is waiting for Santa! She has been a good girl (even though she climbs a curtain or two every once in a while! Busy days ahead. Please be safe out there. A very Merry Christmas to All! (At the time, I am writing this, I only have 3 more working days before I retire … but who is counting. The 28th, 29th, and 30th are my last days at Northeast Delta Dental. I have worked there for 37 1/2 years. It has been a fun ride.
Five more days until Christmas and things are getting crazy! 🙂
So many things to do. I have wrapping to still do. I dislike wrapping. Maisey decided last night to scale the bedroom curtains. She is very naughty; but she is so cute – so she gets away with it. The light displays have been beautiful this year. I love seeing the lights. I need to get out and check our more. OH – I only have 5 1/2 more days of work before I retire! Yes, I am retiring! I will be officially retired 1/1/2023. I am looking forward to it. I will be able to write more in my blog and take more photos! Yeah! I am also planning on meeting up with friends who have retired. 🙂
About a week ago, I told my mother about a craft afternoon happening at Twiggs Gallery in Boscawen. They were going to be making pine cone turkeys. She said it sounded fun. Well, we went today and had a good time. There was another adult making a turkey with a grandchild, I think. Soon a few more children came in and joined us at the table. Their parents helped them. My mom noted she was almost 87 and brought her daughter. Everyone was enjoying themselves, and it was nice to see families coming together for some old fashioned crafting. I enjoyed hearing the parents tell their children that there wasn’t a wrong way to make the turkey. Everyone’s looked different. Some made them cone up and others cones on the side. It didn’t matter and all were cute and unique.
There is nothing prettier than fall in New Hampshire! I took this in downtown Penacook on Sunday morning (10/9). It was 7:30 am, and I was heading to pick up my mother to taker her to church. I had to stop and snap a few shots from the bridge over the Contoocook River. I hope you all are enjoying the beauty of nature this fall! Take care, Debbie 🙂
I noticed there was only a sliver of a moon and decided to take a few shots without a tripod. I moved too much on this shot; however, I like it. Sometimes mistakes can be a good thing!
Little Pond Across the Street from Long Pond (aka Penacook Lake)
It was another warm and humid day. I drove around in my air conditioned car looking for photo ops close to home. This little pond across from the large Long Pond aka Penacook Lake always catches my eye. You would think that I was up in northern New Hampshire somewhere. At least that is what comes to my mind. My iPhone 12s did a great job! I had my Nikon with me too; however, I liked the iPhone shots of this pond better.
I drove over West Parish Road. There is a great area at the high point with a lovely view of Mount Kearsarge in the background. The little garden with the “scarecrow ghosts” added to the scene. Another iPhone shot. I took a shot with my Nikon as well but figured I would stick with the iPhone shot for this shot too. 🙂
I guess I shouldn’t be surprised since it is almost July! I am sitting in a darkened living room with the AC cranking and fans going. Outside is humid and currently 90, and it is only 1:15 ish. Luckily, tomorrow the heat will break! I am having a very lazy day. I am going to head to the drug store to pick up some prescriptions, etc. Other than that – probably not doing much else at all! Have a great day and Stay Cool and Hydrated!
Debra LaValley's Blog 