Dragonfly

This beautiful dragonfly landed at my doorstep, where it apparently took its last breath, leaving me with a very nice photo op!

I love watching this type of dragonfly fly. They have clear parts of their wings so when they are hovering only the black and white areas show.

A Perfect Morning Walk

Yesterday was a perfect day here on the wetlands of NW Iowa.  I took Gabriel out for a stroll, and we were greeted by a little painted turtle in our driveway.  That was perfect because I ran in and got my camera.  Now I can take you on our walk too!

The deep spring air was mildly damp and humid.  It had rained the day before, and the moistness caused the scent of honeysuckle and alyssum flowers to linger in the air, making me feel as giddy as if I had drunk sweet wine.

A fanatical bird was perched on the Quail Hollow street sign squawking at us as if we had invaded it's territory.  

We headed down the nature trail and a light wind gave me shivers.  Not because it was cold, it was pleasantly warm, and the delicate breeze felt like feathers caressing my bare arms.

I was delighted to see the Boysenberries are ripening!

 

Gabriel fell asleep on the way home.  I got a shot of our street...

and more turtles!

Elusive, Tingly Autumn Magic

I have always loved the not-too-warm, not-too-cold days of autumn, when the air is crisp and has a magical aliveness to it. It feels a little prickly, tingly, and sparkly. I love it when the leaves have turned every hue of orange, red, multi-colored greenish-yellowish-maroon, and they fall and crackle under feet on a leisurely woodsy walk. The heat of summer has subsided and the chill of winter has yet to pounce.

I used to live in northern Iowa where this fantasy fall only lasted a couple of weeks, sometimes less, then turned cold and snowy. Now I live in Texas where autumn just means we're no longer in triple digits Fahrenheit! But for two lovely autumns in Ashland, Oregon, and one perfect Fall in Boulder, Colorado, I experienced the magic of a long-lasting, woodsy-walk filled, delightful, leaf-crackling autumn of my dreams.

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