A Rainy, Spring Morning Welcome

ICE

I am not a scientist or even close but, my theory behind the ice ridges is from the difference in temperatures. One day it would be freezing and then we would have several days in a row where the sun is out and very warm.

This would cause melting in the shallow areas and the ice would shift and hit the other sheet and cause this effect.

It was very fascinating to look at.

The crack went along the shoreline for a few miles or more.

Halo

On the night of February 13th I saw this as I was headed home.

It was quite the site in person. It was a huge ring. I faintly saw a few more further out but my lense was as wide as it would go.

I took the clearest shot right as a plane was going over.

That is the streak through the halo.

I found THIS site that exlpains how this happens.

Sugar and Skittles

Yes, the hamster and the cat.

I don't know what they thought but neither would move.

Learning to Fly

These somewhat still baby Kingbirds had my attention all day.

They just sat in this tree without moving.

The mother stood watch perched close by.

There were about 5 in this tree.

Sandhill Cranes

We took a wrong turn in Heber, but it's okay because we got to see this right in the field next to us.

It was a beautiful sight. About 7 o' clock at night. Just as the sun was about to set.

Pelicans

Oriole & Nest

Snake

After seeing this one, I realized how well they actually blend in to there surroundings.

I don't know the name of this snake.

I looked it up when I took the picture but couldn't decide between two different ones.

I can't remember the outcome.

Butterfly

It sometimes takes one of my children to point out something like this.

It was behind a dumpster on a bush.

I love my childrens good eyes.

I just have to say, I saw a Great Horned Owl in broad daylight sitting on a branch right above our heads today. The other cool part is, I am pretty sure it has a nest in this same park.
It was exciting. Pictures to come soon....

Spring

Before we get too far into Summer,

I figured I should post some of my Spring pictures from this year.

I love how different it is in every state.

It is still always beautiful and my favorite.

Even when we get cold/ snowy days like this still....

Kingbird

Red Tail Hawk & Baby

My mom & sister gave me a heads up on a large nest in Lehi.

It is on the edge of a neighborhood by a small field and very busy road.

(click on any picture to enlarge to see better)

I had no idea there was a baby in there. You had to look pretty hard to see it's

little head poking up. It was really high up.

The baby spread open it's wings and I could not tell where it's head was.

I could only see the one.

Tiny little head poking up.

This picture amazes me. This is the 3rd picture I took of just the nest.

I did not realize how out of focus it was until I got home and

to my surprise I had taken a picture of the baby.

I could not see it in the camera until later when I was closer.

Yes, she was screaming at me. This was the closest I got which was still across the street.
I do love hearing them though.

Yellow Headed Black Birds

I guess these are pretty common...?

In Utah at least.

This is my first time to see them.

They look cool, sound cool & there were lots of them.

But, I am glad they are not in my neighborhood kind of bird.

I would not want to wake up to hearing this! (click on Listen at top under description)

Another fun find today.

Pelicans

I did not expect to really see anything today.

I guess that is the best way to experience things is to be unexpected.

We were just standing by the lake watching the fish jump and in comes a Pelican.

Then, a second and a third.

They are big!

I never knew I would see Pelicans in Utah.

The kids and I were at Lindon Marina by the Geneva Settling ponds.