2 Things Challenge: Eyes/Hands

The 2 Things Challenge this week is Eyes/Hands.

The eyes were easier to find in my treasure trove of photos than were the hands.  Perhaps I need to pay more attention to hands. 

Join us at 2 Things Challenge to see other interpretations of the challenge.

Minus Petals

Like I said earlier, the azaleas were well past their peak at Callaway Gardens Easter weekend, but they have some weird varieties over there, some of which are quite attractive, even after all the petals have fallen off.  I have no idea what the bug is, and I didn't even notice him until I was posting this photo.

Callaway Widow

This young lady was hanging around the trees where Mason and his dad were playing "hide behind the tree" in the woods near our rental unit at Callaway Gardens last weekend.  I couldn't see her belly to identify the hourglass, but I know she was (past tense) a black widow spider.  Those beady little eyes give me the creeps.

Poplar Ant

We spent Easter weekend at Callaway Gardens in western Georgia.  It is a beautiful large resort type community well known for its azaleas, but alas, Easter was so late this year the azaleas were well past their peak.  Even the Tulip Poplars were dropping their flowers.  They are still beautiful though, even resting on the surface litter, and according to Ms. Ant there, they are still pretty sweet.

Drip

Okay, I was starting to get in a flower rut, but then spring can do that to you.  Here's a little break from that.  It's the condensation on the inside of the hummingbird feeder (see the pink tinge and the red edge to one in the lower left?).

Weeds

One of our abundant, yet attractive, weeds.  Anyone know what it's called?

I Beg Your Pardon . . .

I'm sorry young lady,
I thought you were a daisy,
But though I know not your name,
You grew up quite pretty, just the same.

Young Daisy

She was so young
Nowhere near grown,
But even at her tender age
She already knew to face the sun.

Can't Wait

After several hot weeks, this will be a cluster of blackberries.  Can't wait.

Sunnin'

It was a beautiful day in the neighborhood, and this guy spent some time sunning on a daisy bud.

2 Things Challenge: Interior/Exterior

The 2 Things Challenge this week is Interior/Exterior.  You can see both the interior and a glimpse of the exterior of this bearded iris from our yard.

Day Out with Thomas

Calera, Alabama (nearby) is home to the Heart of Dixie Railroad Museum and that has been the location of many a photography class outing.  Lots of old engines and cars to photograph, and lots of rust.  Last weekend it was the site of a Day Out with Thomas the Tank Engine.  I've never seen the TV show, or read any of the books (neither has Mason), but it included a short train ride, so we all decided to take Mason out for the adventure.

When you really look at Thomas, he/it is really not the engine of the train, but a caboose dressed up to look like a cartoon engine, complete with a little steam out the stack on occasion.  The real engine is a modern diesel/electric version on the other end of the train.  Passenger cars ranged from open air on wooden benches to full sized air conditioned cars at the other end from Thomas. 

Unsure of the weather when I made the reservations, I opted for the air conditioned comfort, although it turned out to be a beautiful day.  Six people in four leather chairs facing each other.  It was quite comfortable, since two were quite small.

Even though I don't think Mason understood a lot of what was going on, he did give me a good pose by one of the real trains at the museum. 

One of the additional attractions that day was Sir Topham Hat. Kids were lining up to get their picture made with this thing which had an actual living being inside it, and it walked around.

When I look at him/it closely, though, it sort of creeps me out, like the Burger King, and it just seems wrong on several levels to send your kid in with this thing to hold it's stiff fat hand.

Lenten Rose

When I went to help with Project ID at Highlands United Methodist Church last week, the tables had all been decorated with very pretty Lenten Roses.

Things Challenge: Stranger/Friend

This is Herman Maurice, a stranger to most, but a friend to some.  Herman is perhaps the best known of the street people who spend their days hanging around the fountain area at Five Points South in Birmingham.  I'm not sure where Herman sleeps, but he spends most of his days right here.  I've shown Herman before here, and Virginia has a nice portrait of him here.  While it might be a stretch for me to call him a friend, he is certainly friendly, and I would never call him a stranger.

Wisteria Abounds

About a week ago, the wisteria vines were in full bloom.  I'm not sure if these are really bad for the trees, like kudzu is, but they sure are pretty for a few days each spring.  I do know these vines can become quite massive, even cracking concrete walls if left alone for enough time.

I showed some of the white version last year.