More from the Navy Yard

 

At the Navy Yard

I was in a show at this space inside the Urban Outfitter's headquarters in Philadelphia's Navy Yard a few years ago.  At the time I thought it would be wonderful to be able to  install a work that would interact with the amazing space of the building.  I got my wish last week when I hung Cascade from a line strung between two jib booms.  It's a really beautiful, bright space and even though the works will only be installed for a few weeks it was totally worth the effort.  At least from my perspective.  From the esteemed perspective of one of the cafeteria guys who "just doesn't see it" Cascade is a "hot mess."  Ha.  I'm thinking "Hot Mess" is a good title.  Perhaps that's what I'll call it from now on.

Display

The trees have put on quite a display this spring.  This tree, with it's pink whirligigs, does not want to be left out. 

Installing

Birds on the Farm

Junco behind the red shed

Guinea Hens

White duck on the pond

Golden-crowned Kinglet in the apple tree

Vulture in the trees

Juncos in the field

Lake Erie

These are waves rolling in on Lake Erie, not the ocean.  The water was so rough I imagined you could drown just looking at it.  The sky was a brilliant blue so all that brown is coming from the lake floor.  These photos were taken at Magee Marsh Wildlife Area in Oak Harbor, OH.  I think those are Lesser Scaup riding the waves but I can't be sure they aren't Greater Scaup.  Either way it's a new bird for me.  Do you get to count it if you can't ID it properly??

A Touch of Red

This spring has seemed almost as vibrant as fall.  It certainly made the drive home through Ohio and Pennsylvania very beautiful.  And here, at Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge, you can see how much red there was in the landscape.  Not to mention on the heads of the swans.  I'm looking forward to seeing what else this season has in store for us.

Trumpeter Swans

If you stand around outside long enough you are bound to see something cool.  These swans were so absorbed in each other they flew right towards Sally and I and began (or continued) their courtship display.  It was something to see.

Magic Gardens

I pass Philadelphia's Magic Gardens every time I go to Whole Foods in South Philly.  We finally took the time to go see it- so much fun!

The Philadelphia Thing

Friends came to town this week so we went out and did the Philadelphia thing with them. 

Spring

Sunday I decided I couldn't stand to spend anymore time inside and dragged my very tired self over to Heinz for a late afternoon walk.  What a great walk!  Or Is should say what a great stand around!  As soon as I got to Warbler Woods I stopped walking.  The birds were everywhere.  I spent at least an hour standing around.  Pine, Palm, and Yellow-rumped Warblers, Kinglets, Yellow-bellied Sapsuckers, Downy and Red-bellied Woodpeckers, etc.  A Pheobe flew right at my face and stopped short on a branch and I got my best shot yet of a male Wood Duck.  Those sneaky devils always manage to see me first.

Sapsucker Drama

As the sun started to set on Sunday I found these Yellow-bellied Sapsuckers chasing each other around this tree.  The male seemed determined to get her attention and she seemed determined to be left alone to peck the tree.  He tried coming at her from below, from the side, and from above.  It was pretty funny to watch him siddle down the tree.  He flew in and out a number of times while she just kept working away.  At one point the male seemed to be chased away by this male Red-bellied Woodpecker.  I don't know what he was up to.  The female ignored him too and after sampling a few spots on the tree the Red-bellied flew away and the Sapsucker returned.  As of March I had never seen a sapsucker before.  I was pretty excited to see the one my dad found in Virginia.  I have to admit I was pretty amazed not to just see these two love birds but dozens of sapsuckers.  How have I missed them up till now??

Offline

A bit of what's been keeping me offline.