Flowering Crabapple Tree

They say crabapples make a tangy jelly but I just think they're pretty.

Hummingbird Rescue

A female hummingbird flew into our garage and couldn't find her way back out so we got the ladder and the net both of which are over ten feet tall because our big Hoover garage is about 16 feet high or higher and over 20x30 so a large area to cover.

She was getting tired hovering and getting no where plus the fear of us humans trying eat her, in her perspective I'm sure.

Finally, she was netted by putting the net opening over her and tightening the rim against the ceiling and sort of gently scooting her out the door.

I couldn't see where or if she landed but she was hauling hummingbird butt that's for sure and certain.

Being able to save her was a great feeling. Birds tend to go high when they feel threatened and the ceiling is several feet higher than the door opening. She needed help and I'm really happy we were able to help her.

On a sad note, our Writing Spider has passed away and with no obvious reason. She is so big and beautiful. We will miss her.

Howdy Neigh-bor!
These horses are just down the road from the house we're buying. I really think this brown mare liked me. We sort of connected. I want to get a bicycle with a basket and pack a lunch and a camera and visit some more once we are settled in. Maybe before. I know I'll need a break from all the work and this would be a good way to find refreshment.

Writing Spider

The Black and Yellow Garden Spider according to my Google resources.

Dangerous Beauty: Poisonous Plants

I was researching about how to make a cutting from the Angel Trumpet tree and discovered that while they are easy to root and grow even from seed they are also extremely poisonous.
The experts say not to handle them very much and to be especially careful of the seed pod.
Some say it can affect a person or animal the way a hallucinogenic drug does.

Awareness is my ounce of prevention. I think I'll research every new plant right away from now on.

Green Changes Anyone Can Do Anytime That Also Save Money

1. Instead of buying or packing extra full size or trial size products re-use plastic bottles for trips. Use them for shampoo, conditioner and liquid soap. Rinse and repeat.

2. Use low wattage light bulbs. Also called energy efficient bulbs. Their shape is different from the traditional incandescent bulbs so they may not fit every lamp or appliance so using traditional bulbs in a lower wattage would save energy.

3. Air dried laundry, especially sheets, smells fresh, saves energy and money. Indoor air drying works well with the folding dryer contraptions that can be stored when not in use. Even in the wintertime they work well if they stand over a heater vent. This will also put humidity into the air which is usually low in the winter with a heater running.

4. Turn the water flow to low and slow when washing your face , brushing your teeth, hand washing dishes or clothes.

5. Turn the dryer off on the dishwasher and let the dishes air dry.

Make it a game to try and see how many ways there are in your day to day life to save energy and money.
It's been said by frugal authorities to try and see what's the least amount of energy or time needed to get the job done.
Use less:
clothes detergent
hot water
water
heat
paper
gas
Until you find your bottom line as far as clean enough clothes or how much water is really needed to wash that load.

Smokey Mountain Pipevine Swallowtail Butterfly By The Chattooga River

Butterflies absorb moisture and nutrients from the ground made wet by the Chattooga River near Highlands, North Carolina.

This is a blue Pipevine Swallowtail which is somewhat common in the North Carolina mountains and rarely seen in the coastal areas.

The blue colors range from bright blue to a dusky green/gray blue.

A good example of how the Green Earth nourishes its own by providing what we need.

Love is in the Air on elle's Green Earth

Love was in the air at the state zoo this week and making pink littles seems to be this avians mindset.

Pink flamingos are pink due to the high content of beta carotene in their diets which include algae and small shrimp.

The parents also share nursing duties because, like pigeons, they both have the ability to produce a milk that is high in fat for their young.

Certain species of flamingos are considered threatened.

Wild Mustangs

Thanks to http://www.thepioneerwoman.com for making this photo available as a free download. Your photo op's must be endless living on a working ranch.