Wonder #19

As I said before, I am overly excited about the arrival of spring this year.  The trees, the flowers, the joy of my compost pile, and the 80 or 90 degree temperature...  OK, so it's feeling like summer already, but regardless - I have to add one more thing to that list.  The robin's nest in my back yard!  Check out my new little buddy....

What a melon on this one, right?  There are three babies in all, and they are growing up so fast!  I found the nest just two days before this picture.  In such a short time their down has doubled, and all three have the "pigtails" (look to the back of the head on this one).  

I'll be keeping an eye on the nest daily.  My dogs already know they are there, so when it's time to leave the nest, I'm sure Max and Napoleon will be waiting.

Hope your day brings lots of wonders!  Ta! 

Wonder #18

I suppose I'll have to post double time, since I haven't had an update in two weeks. The good news?  Scratch that - great news?  I finally got my compost pile up and running! After several trips to local nurseries, one trip to a local farm, and about five hours researching composters online - the break down has finally begun!  Here's my new baby...

In my research, which of course I had a ton of fun with, I learned a lot more about marketing than I did science.  Here's what I found out...  You can find a slew of compost tumblers and black box tumblers online.  Everyone from HGTV to Planet Natural to Sam's Club sells them.  Even Oprah had an episode on worm composting recently.  Literally EVERYONE is willing to tell you how to compost, especially if you are planning on using the compost starter they are marketing, which of course makes it ridiculously easy to start and does the extra bonus of breaking down your compost in 14 or 21 days.  The problem I had?  Four basic walls of recycled plastic and a locking lid cost $200+.  It just didn't seem right, so I held off.  Then I found a super inexpensive one at Sam's Club last weekend - $40 bucks later and it was mine.  Which of course is my wonder...  How did I find one for 20% of the average cost?  

Like I said, I learned more about marketing than I did about science!  Ta!

Wonder #17

I decided to hunt down a new preserve in the area.  In the last week, everything is in bloom, and I don't have too many forest shots yet.  So I found Ryerson Conservation Area in Highwood.  The hike started out well (mostly because I didn't yet feel like it was a hike).  I got a few good forest interior shots - like the overdone birch tree forest posters, but good none-the-less.  

There were quite a few trails, leading off in different directions, so I was lucky to find a good one to start, but it was really rather short.  I now have a new definition of what a "good" trail is - dry and sandy or paved.  (Wait for it...)  

So after doubling back on my good but short trail, I decided to check out the log cabins I'd seen when driving in.  Cute, but other than the weird wiccan Council Ring, I got better macro shots of the cabin.

And what should I see but a barely there trail, leading to a boardwalk system not too far off.  Thinking this would be better than the witch ring, I took off toward the boardwalk system.  Couple of cool shots later, I pass the boardwalk... and suddenly realize that there's a reason they put a boardwalk in a conservation area.  Because it's muddy, no let's call it downright wet.  In fact, let's just call it swamp, because that's what it really is - a swamp on the edge of the Des Plaines River.

Being the optimist that I am, I decided that it can't be this bad the whole way through, so I decide to plug on.  Twenty minutes of leaping gracefully over mud puddles, from one side of the (quickly-disappearing) trail to the other...  I suddenly find myself unbelievably mired in swamp - no nice pile of leaves anywhere around for me to jump to.  As I stand there, slowly panicking about the new shoes I am sure to have ruined, and dropping the camera that literally keeps me sane, I realize that the swamp is quickly forcing it's way into the sides my cute Pumas.  Alas, I had lost the battle!

So what do you do when you realize that:

- You were nuts to wear cute shoes into a preserve you'd never been in,

- You should have turned back at the small puddles in the middle of the sun at the start of the trail,

- The witchy ring was probably just a childrens' nature classroom,

- The longer you wait, the more swamp makes it into your Pumas,

- and that you're really glad no one is hear to witness you squeal at the toad that just jumped in front of you?

Well, if you are me, you say, "What the hell?"  and start leaping straight through the swamp, mud-in-the-Pumas and all!  Because there is nothing so wonderous as being able to laugh at yourself...

Wonder #16

Lately I have been rather obsessive about the arrival of spring.  Although, when you live with six month long winters, you tend to get like that.  So over the weekend, I decided to take a trip over to Lake Bluff Park, a small local beach park right on Lake Michigan.  I took quite a few shots of the coast and the water.  Maybe I'll post a couple later.  For now, I have to tell the story of my cute little ladybug friend, above.

As you walk onto the beach at Lake Bluff, you are undeniably reminded of an ocean beach.  If you've ever seen Lake Michigan, you know that all you see on the horizon is horizon... nothing is visible on the other side.  I grew up in southern California, and I miss nothing more than the Pacific Ocean, so Lake Michigan is always a welcome site. There are short little jetties dotted along the coast with boulders at the end.  Believe it or not, it gets insanely windy on Michigan, so I'm assuming they are protecting the teeny-tiny coast.

I decided that the closest jetty would be a great spot to get a few shots (and it turns out it was - yahoo!).  But as I was climbing around on the rocks and taking pictures, I realized I had lady bugs on my hands and camera.  After a quick scream - only because I can be as skittish as a reclusive cat, for some reason - I remembered that lady bug landings are good luck.  Plus I just love them, so I carefully moved this one from the top of the lens to a nice spot in front of it.  

Turns out that they are good luck, because I got some great shots Saturday, ending with the daffodils below.  That was all I could have asked for (and more than I anticipated since spring was barely upon us), so I'll look at it as a win.

Ta!

Wonder #15

It's unbelievable what you can find wandering around a volcanic island, especially when roads were only introduced there within the last 150 years.  The question you have to ask yourself?  How do you get to the ocean from atop a cliff without scaling the lava rock?  Easy, you painfully carve steps out of the lava.

These jungle stairs lead to the Wai'anapanapa (glistening waters) Caves at the state park of the same name, on Maui. Here's the Legend of the caves...

Once upon a time a Hawaiian princess named Popoalaea fled from her cruel husband, Chief Ka'akae.  She hid on a ledge just inside the underwater entrance to this cave.  A faithful serving maid sat across from her fanning the princess with a feather Kahili symbol of royalty.  Noticing the reflection of the Kahili in the water, Chief Kakae discovered Popoalaea's hiding place and killed her.  At certain times of the year, tiny red shrimp appear in the pool, turning the water red.  Some say it is a reminder of the blood of the slain princess. 

In case you want to see the shrimp, you need to visit in spring.

Ta!

Wonder #14

This lovely flounder - dare I say the most terrifying fish in the ocean - is from our trip to Bonaire.  The flounder was near shore, right by our hotel.  I think this was the first or second dive with the camera, so I was incredibly proud that I was able to: #1 See the flounder, #2 Focus the camera, and #3 Frame the flounder.  Add to that - I'd never seen a flounder, so I was positive that the water we were in was toxic, and that this poor fish bore the brunt of toxic waste.  

You have to be able to laugh at yourself, right?  

Ta!

Wonder #14

Time to go back to the world traveler in me.  This is another of my all-time favorites.  Bonaire was an incredible trip, made more incredible because it was the trip I first tried underwater photography.  Oh, the things we saw on that trip!  OK, so most of it was very normal, but NOT the normal we are used to... Parrot Fish like this one, loads of turtles, and many gorgonians!  

Drift diving is never better than when you walk out your hotel room door and drop in.  You have to love the local regulations about keeping the island (especially the surrounding reefs) pure.

Ta!

Wonder #13

Good morning drizzle!  I wasn't ecstatic when I saw that we'd have another day of rain today.  But I was excited to see that I can still make lemonade from lemons.  Just look at these tiny little leaves and buds trying to grow!  Bellissimo.

Wonder #12

Lately I've taken to stopping at one of the forest preserves nearby to see what other signs of spring I can find.  I found this field of dandelions, and some of the trees are greening.  Spring isn't yet at full bloom, but I think these dandelions are definitely a sign that the rain is working it's magic.  Better late than never!

Wonder #11

And the tulips have opened!  It's feeling more and more like spring every day.

Wonder #10

Yesterday was our first anniversary.  It's hard to believe that it was a year ago that we were on Maui.  Such a long time since our last vacation!  Travel is such a big part of our lives that three months seems long, let alone a year.

We spent the day at home, just us and the dogs.  It rained quite a bit until mid afternoon, but we did get a chance to be outside for a bit.  Spring is so incredible here.  The weather changes so rapidly, and it's beautiful.  The top photo is the sky above our house yesterday afternoon, in between storms.

Ta!

Wonder #9

After such a long winter this year, I find myself incredibly focused on Spring.  I've been out with the camera daily now for the past week or so.  I tried a new forest preserve on Saturday, Half Day Preserve.  Great Des Plaines River shots, and a few small lakes.  This shot is of one of the lakes that were swollen from some of the rain we've had.  I cropped this for a nice panorama, and I just love the greys in the water and sky.

Ta!

Wonder #8

Ah Thailand...  So many incredible spots there.  On the last trip to Koh Samui, in October of 2002, we took the tour of An Thong Marine Park.  I'm not sure why we hadn't done it before, because it was an incredible trip.  We took a boat out to the marine park and stopped at the island above.  What you're looking at is the interior of the island.  If you've seen the movie, The Beach, this is a similar in-island bay.  There are some underwater caves that feed the bay, so it rises and falls with tide, too.  Ah Thailand...

Ta!

Wonder #7

OK, just one more... here's the giant A that I found at Old School.  It was just waiting for me. 

Wonder #6

This is Independence Grove, at the Dog Park.  I chose to spend my Earth Day checking out the parks near me, along the Des Plaines River.  Honestly, I found some great spots.  I just loved the Dog Park most of all.  My camera ran out of steam, and this was the last shot I got before I had to head out.  What a beautiful Earth Day!

Ta!

Wonder #5

OK, I've been away for a few days... the shame!  So I decide one quick post today was absolutely necessary.  This shot is from our Maui trip, on the Road to Hana.  I thought this was a beaut in honor of Earth Day today.  And since it's Earth Day, what are we doing in front of a computer?  Get out there and celebrate what Mother Nature has to offer!

Ta!

Wonder #4

I am just loving spring's belated arrival!  These are just a couple shots I took this afternoon.  First flowers of the season!!!!  And the first nest I've found, too!

Ta!

Wonder #3

This morning I seems to be getting away from me.  Lots to do!  So I decided today's post will have to be one of my shorter ones.  Short post = one of my favorite wonders.

This shot was taken in 2004 off Bonaire, in the Netherlands Antilles.  We were diving a wreck called the Helma Hooker.  Funny story - the 'Hooker' was a drug smuggling ship.  When the ship was caught, they decided it would be best to burn the marijuana cargo.  Too funny!  I bet there was quite an audience for the bonfire - all downwind!

Ta!

Wonder #2

This shot was taken in Maui in April 2008.  Patrick and I were joined by 50 or so of our closest friends for our wedding-moon.  A couple days before the wedding, I took a drive up the coast to take some shots of the northern part of the island.  Most people take the southern or eastern route from Lahaina because it takes you toward Hana.  Although Hana was beautiful - and you'll likely see some shots from our day trip there later on - I thought the northwestern coast was much more beautiful.  I love how the waves were a touch more violent than we'd seen elsewhere on the island... made for some really great shots.

This shot was taken early in my trek that day, and again I find that there are flaws. Ideally it would have been reversed, and I didn't quite catch the depth of the color of the ocean.  I am not a trained photographer, so I'm OK with that.  It's one of those shots that reminds me - sometimes you have to do what you can and move on.  For me that thought brings me some peace.

This morning I definitely needed a post about peace.  Waking up this morning, I realized I still have some anxiety about a past life (and no - I'm not waxing Buddhist). It's funny how things continue to haunt you after you've left them behind.  Why is that?

Wonder #1

I chose to use this as my first wonder because of what this photo means to me.  It was taken on Koh Samui in Thailand in 2002, my third trip there in 12 months.  I know we were tooling around on the scooters that day, but I have no idea where exactly on the island this was.

Thailand will always be my favorite place in the world because that's where I really fell in love with my husband, and with travel.  My husband - for his peaceful nature, and for the wild streak that keeps me guessing.  Travel - for the beauty that exists in the world, and to see the way people react to it.

Some of my best shots were taken in Thailand, not that this is one of them.  It's off-center, it's grainy, and I absolutely adore it.  Despite the imperfections, it always makes me feel so hopeful and positive and peaceful.  

There are so many beautiful places in the world, but when I think of the place I want to go back to - this is it.  We didn't run down this dock and jump into the Gulf of Thailand then.  But when we go back to Koh Samui, what fun we'll have trying to find this rickety pier somewhere between Chaweng Beach and Big Buddha.

Ta!