Floridian silhouette
Isabella on the dock at our resort in Orlando, Florida. Although the weather was quite chilly, we took comfort in knowing it was still warmer than back in Ohio. A week’s break was not nearly long enough for us, but it was a productive trip.
Mobile phone
Isabella’s mobile phone seems to get better reception than my mobile phone. She is amazed that when she pulls a toy, it follows her. At 18 months now and growing up too fast. Some days I just want her to be that sweet, little infant that I held in my arms. When she looks at me and calls me Daddy or gives me a hug for no reason, those moments will sit right next to the old ones. I look forward to the future memories she will give me.
Mantis
A silhouette of a mantis on the front window screen. A common name is praying mantises, because of the typical prayer-like stance, although the term is often misspelled as preying mantis, since mantises are predatory. The majority of mantises are ambush predators, waiting for prey to stray too near. The mantis then lashes out at remarkable speed. Prey items are caught and held securely with grasping, spiked forelegs.
Proud Daddy
Here I am with my daughter, Isabella. She is now 18 months old and the most important person in my life. Having been able to stay home and raise her every day has been a challenge and a reward for me. I also would not have given up this opportunity for anything else in the world. We are sitting on a park bench looking at Marblehead Lighthouse on the shore of Lake Erie near Port Clinton, Ohio. My wife, Emilia, is taking this photo, for which I thank her.
Sky Giraffe
How often do you get to feed a 17 foot giraffe carrots through the sunroof of your car? This male giraffe was very entertaining to my 18 month old daughter. Her eyes told the story as she saw his 18 inch tongue stretch out and curl around the carrots. Great experience!
Great Blue Heron
The Great Blue Heron is a large wading bird in the heron family, common near the shores of open water and in wetlands over most of North and Central America as well as the West Indies and the Galápagos Islands. This one is patiently waiting for a fish breakfast near Chimney Rock State Park in North Carolina.
Up, Up and Away
Got up very early in the chilly morning to catch the sunrise launch of the hot air balloons for the Grove City Balloons and Tunes Festival. There were about 18 balloons in total that launched. As I drove home, the balloons passed directly over my house. Guess I could have just opened the bedroom window and taken the photo.
Eastern Tiger Swallowtail
The color of the eastern tiger swallowtail can vary. Males are yellow or yellow-orange with black tiger stripes. Their wings are bordered in black with yellow spots and there are black “tiger stripes” running across the top of their wings. Their long black tails have blue patches on them. Female colors can range from the yellow of the male to an almost solid bluish-black. Their wing span can be up to 6 1/2 inches. These butterflies are very common and can be found in Eastern US and Canada and as far South as Mexico.
Dawes hummer
Ruby-Throated Hummingbird at the Dawes Arboretum bird feeding area. Shot through the glass in the downstairs observation area. At the same time there was a young raccoon and a chipmunk feeding.
