Geography Div (National Parks subsection)

A couple of weeks ago my sweetie and I took a road trip and Arches NP near Moab, UT was one of the stops. I haven't been to Arches since late 1981 and on my two previous hikes into Delicate Arch, I've seen maybe a total of six people (and in 1979 I was, eerily, alone).

The hike is a mile and a half and the result is spectacular.

I was amazed at the crowds of people (and wondered if some would make it up). One person told me that the day before (a Sunday) the line on the trail reminded him of photos of the miners trekking up Klondike Pass during the Yukon Gold Rush.

Walkies Div (Friday Flutterby subsection)

After a two-mile stroll without anything interesting, found this in front of a neighbor's house (three doors down the block).

Walkies Div ( Sunday Stroll subsection)

It isn't often that I don't play at Driving4$$ on Sunday. Even less often is having a day off and GREAT weather. Went for a three-mile stroll along the Little Patuxent River and took the camera. Was surprised to see the deer. Apparently, the community open-space management folks have put up stations where the deer are attracted and tick control is applied. Good idea, cuts down on the spread of Lyme Disease. Now if only they'd find a way to keep them off the roads !!!

                 Cool Shade:

A good place to fish:     

                                                                                    Bambirat at a tick-control station

Walkies ..... Div

I try to get my old bones out for a walk two or three times a week. Today, around the lake and took the camera. Weather is comparable to late May or early June ( as opposed to a week ago where the only polite, descriptive word would be "brutal").  We've also been fortunate here in the mid-Atlantic to be receiving plenty of rain .... so things are really green with the trees and flowers blooming everywhere. Thus, a plethora of nectar sippers and pollinators.

Here's todays keeper ........ a Giant Swallowtail butterfly (I think) and a honeybee.

Don't ask me what the plant is. My plant identification ends with "oh shit, is that poison ivy?" Flower recognition consists of "flower" preceded by the appropriate color,  ie "Blue flower," etc.

Speaks for Itself Div

What more could one say???       Congratulations (I think)

(h/t  JS )

SPRING !!!!! DIV

Went out for my walk around the neighborhood lake this morning. Hard to believe that last Wednesday was supposed to be the "Great Snowstorm of 2013  (so far anyhow)." Temp was about 60 and lots of pretty girls out in tight leggings exercising. Ah !!! an old bear can have some pleasures, eh ??
Watched a boy cardinal chase a girl cardinal for over a minute, but they never stayed still long enough to snap a picture (guess photo immortality wasn't on their minds). Did however come upon a lone flower resplendent in its spring regalia. Not sure just what it is  - -  one of the guys i paddle with is a botanist, he could probably name it; I tend to identify flowers by color - red flower, yellow flower, blue flower, etc. The daffs (I recognize those) are up, but not in bloom yet  - - maybe three days or so.