Wash day?

Today, I’m trying to take a different perspective on all the rain.  

"Fresh Bloomers" (Japanese Pieris Blossoms) Nikon D300, 105mm F/2.8G Macro, F/6.3, 1/200s, ISO 640

Maybe Mother Nature is simply doing her laundry! 🙂

Help me, I’m drowning!

The rain is insane

it hurts my brain

“Aquaman” (Raindrops on Glass) Nikon D300, 200mm, F/13, 1/80s, +0.3EV, ISO 640, Built-in Rear Curtain Flash, -2.0EV, Color Efex Pro Bi-color Gradient Filter

I could complain

but it would be in vain.

Sigh. 😦

 

 

Thanks for the memory

“Swing, Baby” (Wood Infant Swing) Playground Series (#13), Nikon D300, 80mm, F/5, 1/1250s, -0.3EV, ISO 200, ‘Old West’ Toning Action

I didn’t even notice the set of infant swings when I first entered the park but, as soon as I was leaving, the sight stopped me dead in my tracks. At that moment, some childhood memory buried deep in my psyche hurled itself forward and I just about screamed,  ‘I remember YOU!‘ 

I loved to swing. LOVED to swing! That rhythmic back-and-forth motion giving the sensation of flying – oh my, what could be better?  

My memory, however, of those worn wooden slats and front handle bar doesn’t come from a playground. No, mine is much closer to home as we had a similar swing hanging from the rafters in our basement. For hours I would sway to-and-fro, happy as can be as my mom went about her laundry duties. Such gleeful times (well, at least for me). 🙂 

While I was photographing the swing, awash in a flood of my own memories, two young mothers were pushing their infants and soaking in every giggle and smile. It was a delightful scene to watch. 

There will be a few more swings honored in this series but this one by far, holds a special place in my heart!

Er, that’s not mickey

Finding mice in our home is not an unusual occurence (house is over 80 years old with a field stone foundation). However, they typically stay in the basement or at most, we hear them scratching in the walls.   

So to find one sitting in the middle of the kitchen floor this morning, well, that’s pretty rare. (Remember, we have a cat and she is quite the hunter). We  have no proof Cleo is responsible for bringing the little girl upstairs (yes, it’s a female mouse), nor that she is the cause of her bum hind leg (other than that, there isn’t a scratch on the creature). But, nonetheless, there ya go. One tiny mouse. Just sitting there. On the kitchen floor.

“Whiskers” (Baby House Mouse) Nikon D300, 105mm F/2.8G Macro, F/4.2, 1/30s, -0.3EV, ISO 640, Silver Efex Pro ‘Antique Plate II’ Filter

I love all creatures, no matter how small, and it is difficult for me to simply toss them outside, especially when they are disabled and temps out are rather chilly (I know, I know – it’s only a mouse!). And, for some reason, this particular critter has seemed to taken a shine to me and the image above is her sleeping in my hand (yes, I shot this one-handed). Too cute! 🙂 

Until I can figure out what to do with the wee thing, she is resting comfortably in a bed of clean, soft rags in a cardboard box. So, if anyone has any advice, feel free to pass it along! 🙂 

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03/30/2010 Update 

The mouse is doing well and on Monday night, got a roommate! When my husband arrived home Monday, he found another mouse, same size, at the bottom of our side entrance steps (inside). The poor thing was very cold after sitting for who knows how long on the tile floor. A little warming, some water and soaked potato bread and the new mouse settled into the box with the previous mouse. (We suspect they are littermates). Both are doing well and we hope to release them back into the wild once the weather clears. We still worry a bit about the bum leg, but it doesn’t seem to bother the mouse one bit (amazing resiliency). In fact, the additional mouse seems to have calmed the first mouse down considerably. They sleep together which is very cute. Keeping a lookout for more mice, but so far so good! 🙂

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04/02/2010 Update

Yesterday was the first attempt to release the mice. The second mouse (we named her Minnie) left the comfort of the box within 30 minutes. However, the first mouse (Whiskers) refused to leave, and after 4 1/2 hours, I brought the box back inside for the night. A wildlife rehabilitator I have been corresponding with says Whiskers may simply not be ready yet. So the adventure continues… I hope Minnie lives a long and happy life!

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04/04/2010 Update

Whiskers was released back into the care of Mother Nature this morning. She sniffed the air and seemed cautious at first, but once outside the comfort of her temporary home, it didn’t take her long to scamper off into the cover of the wood pile as if she’s done that her whole life. It was a bittersweet moment for me as I was sad to see her go but glad that I had the chance to heal her and give her a second chance. I cannot believe how much this little creature has touched my heart. I saw her go from injured and dehydrated to healthy and feisty and know in my heart that she would have had a different outcome had I not intervened. A little miracle, indeed! Take care and God bless, little one! You will be missed! 🙂