What looks like a racing goose is just one trying to clean all those layers of feathers. Copyright 2018 Pamela Breitberg
It takes a lot of energy to bath all those goose feathers. Copyright 2018 Pamela Breitberg
The contrast between the ripple design in the harbor waters and the feathered pattern of the geese seemed to compliment each other. Copyright 2018 Pamela Breitberg
Flexibility! Copyright 2018 Pamela Breitberg
Appropriately named boat in Belmont Harbor. Copyright 2018 Pamela Breitberg
I thought my Japanese Anemone painting was done. But, thanks to a wonderful teacher I spent 3 more hours on it and I have to admit it IS better than before. Learning is exhausting and yet always fun too. Now for a nap.
Japanese Anemone acrylic painting. Copyright 2018 Pamela Breitberg
Last week’s 6 hour work of Japanese Anemone. Copyright 2018 Pamela Breitberg
My love goes out to each person in the world. Bless us all. Copyright 2018 Pamela Breitberg
Peaceful grace, empathy and care for each of you. Copyright 2018 Pamela Breitberg
This was an act of patience and luck! It is unmanipulated. A new favorite of mine.
Pelican pier action. Copyright 2018 Pamela Breitberg
The Pelicans are waiting patiently for a fisherman to drop some bait. They are young, thus their brownish colors. These were sitting on the rail of Anglin’s Pier in Lauderdale by the Sea, allowing me to capture some images. They are amazing creatures to observe. I was able to get close enough to capture the details in the feather patterns.
Cousins calmly holding this pose for me. Copyright 2018 Pamela Breitberg
Drop of water hanging on the tip of this bird’s beak. It must have just landed after a fish dive in the water. Copyright 2018 Pamela Breitberg
The shades of brown feathers indicate this is a young Pelican. Copyright 2018 Pamela Breitberg
Layers and patterns courtesy of nature. Copyright 2018 Pamela Breitberg
Here are a few different views of downtown Chicago, this time from South Pond in Lincoln Park. The naturalized prairie grasses are prominent in the scene. After a leisurely walk through the park we lunched at the delicious Café Brauer; this time dining was a bit of a challenge. This time of year, worker bees are instinctively anxious to gather as much energy (sugar/nectar) and protein (pollen) as possible to store for the coming winter months. So, as my eyes admired the sweet view from our table, they were eyeing my lunch. And typical of me, I watched with love and allowed them to feast in between my bites and sips.
Warning: If you aren’t fond of bees then don’t look at last two images!
View of downtown Chicago and South Pond in Lincoln Park. Copyright 2017 Pamela Breitberg
View of South Pond and Chicago from Cafe Brauer. Copyright 2017 Pamela Breitberg
Worker bee gathering sweetness from my jam. Copyright 2017 Pamela Breitberg
Wine and cocktails were not off limits for the bees, much to the dismay of the diners. Copyright 2017 Pamela Breitberg
For more on bee behavior during the autumn:
https://phys.org/news/2012-10-bees-wasps-busy-autumn.html
White Morpho, equally as strikingly beautiful as the Blue Morpho. Copyright 2017 Pamela Breitberg
Blue Morpho at rest, which is a rare sight. Copyright 2017 Pamela Breitberg
“Morph” means change, yet for this family of butterflies it has a different connotation. The Morpho butterflies are so named for their beauty and shape, in reference to Aphrodite. Images of these creatures require patience because when they are visible, they spend most time in the air, rarely settling on a plant long enough to focus and capture (photographically).
This site goes into details of the variety of Morpho butterflies: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Morpho
This Great Egret, aka American Egret, patiently and slowly moved in on something tasty. It was hard to believe that such a large white object could go unnoticed in the otherwise green swampy environment. It reminded me how relatively easy us humans have it as far as procuring our meals.
Stately Great Egret. Copyright 2017 Pamela Breitberg
Great Egret observing its prey from a distance. Copyright 2017 Pamela Breitberg
Slowly moving forward without moving. Copyright 2017 Pamela Breitberg
Realizing the meal got away. Persistent patience required. Copyright 2017 Pamela Breitberg
And winter returns with 5 plus inches of snow this week. The crocus reflects our Midwestern, optimistic persevering nature. I look at it and remind myself to stay strong and patient. copyright 2015 Pamela Breitberg
Upright Crocus in spite of winter’s refusal to retreat. copyright 2015 Pamela Breitberg
This Bumble Bee is waiting out the cool drizzle on this atypical 63-degree (F) August afternoon. Wrapped tightly around the Joe Pye Weed stem, it rests until the sun shines and wings are once again dry.
Bumbe Bee resting on Joe Pye Weed copyright 2014, Pamela Breitberg