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What's outside of your picture window today?

Posted by John, Volunteer Mentor @johnbishop, Nov 25, 2020

As we get ready for the real winter to show up and COVID-19 still playing a major part in our lives I like to spend moments of my day de-stressing about what's going on in the world today. All I have to do is look out the window and observe some of natures beautiful creatures, how they interact and ponder how small it makes my troubles seem. Sometimes I may even get the opportunity to take a photo or two. How about you? Anything going on outside of your window(s) that you want to share?

For those members that have the ability to size your photos before you upload them to the discussion, may I suggest using the following sizes:
– 500 x 335 pixels (landscape)
– 210 x 210 pixels (square)

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Just Want to Talk Support Group.

nazleer | @nazleer | May 30, 2021
In reply to @loribmt "Dragonflies!! These ugly little 'ducklings' in the first photo turn into beautiful dragonflies within minutes of..." + (show)
@loribmt

Dragonflies!! These ugly little 'ducklings' in the first photo turn into beautiful dragonflies within minutes of climbing up onto a blade of grass, twig or anything else handy after making their trek out of the lake.
A newly ‘hatched’ dragonfly crawled up my thumb to dry out. I was very careful not to touch its wings at this point so it didn't get damaged. Once it was dry i placed it on a twig to finish. The last photo shows two empty casings from before the transformation into a relentless feeding machine. Dragonflies can eat 100s of mosquitos per day!!

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Good to know.

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Merry, Alumni Mentor | @merpreb | May 30, 2021
In reply to @avmcbellar "@IndianaScott how wonderful! I started appreciating owls more 3 years ago at our new home. We..." + (show)
@avmcbellar

@IndianaScott how wonderful! I started appreciating owls more 3 years ago at our new home. We had them near our bedroom and could hear them vividly at night. Are they noisy for you? It’s a sound well welcomed for us.

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We have an osprey nest near us and the parents are now feeding their chicks. We live a couple of small blocks from a river that feeds into the ocean.

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avmcbellar | @avmcbellar | May 30, 2021

It is nice to see Ospreys have made a comeback. I remember seeing their nests on top of towers or light posts in New England. Glad to see species being protected. I recently saw a TV show about a species of rabbit being released back into the wild in Rhode Island. Somehow they got depleted. Hopefully their population is rising.

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Chris Trout, Volunteer Mentor | @artscaping | May 30, 2021
In reply to @sueinmn "It's beautiful. Moss hunting before or after TKR? Might be a fun road trip in June..." + (show)
@sueinmn

It's beautiful. Moss hunting before or after TKR? Might be a fun road trip in June while my daughter is recuperating. There's a great pizza place in town there too.
Sue

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That my friend depends on when the TKR might be. It is at the top of my list when we get back from Texas. We'll figure it out. We have 3 extra bedrooms so that makes it easy to enjoy the sunset and the morning sunrise. Feeding the chipees......, riding down on Stanley......and swinging in the swing are must-dos. Where do we have to go to get moss?

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Becky, Volunteer Mentor | @becsbuddy | May 30, 2021
In reply to @loribmt "What a beauty! I love dragonflies and you’re right, there are so many different varieties! We..." + (show)
@loribmt

What a beauty! I love dragonflies and you’re right, there are so many different varieties! We have some enormous ones that I always call the Blackhawk raptors!! We can actually watch them catching mosquitos. We always thought they were just flying randomly in the air. But watch closely next time! You’ll actually see them swooping and diving in pursuit of a mosquito or bug...it’s not just random flying!
They use their legs like baskets. Dragonflies actually scoop up the mosquito and ingest it in flight! Then go back for more. When we’re at the lake and there’s huge mosquito outbreak, we can tell when the dragonflies finally hatch out! Within a day there a thousands of dragonflies and the mosquito population drops significantly!!
So the next time you see a dragonfly, bedsides being so whimsical and delightful, remember they’re voracious feeding machines! ☺️

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Well my picture window was all around the East coast. We arrived just in time for the 17year cicada hatch. Only saw a few at my mother’s place but my brother said his yard was over run with newly hatched cicadas (they borrow up from deep underground) and the discarded shells. He sent this picture. They are harmless, lay new eggs and die. The new pupae fall to the ground and burrow down for 17 more years.
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John, Volunteer Mentor | @johnbishop | May 30, 2021

A twofer! What's outside my window today and what's on my window today 😁
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Lori, Volunteer Mentor | @loribmt | May 30, 2021
In reply to @johnbishop "A twofer! What's outside my window today and what's on my window today 😁" + (show)
@johnbishop

A twofer! What's outside my window today and what's on my window today 😁

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Is that a catbird? ☺️ Your kitty is gorgeous! Look at those green eyes!!

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John, Volunteer Mentor | @johnbishop | May 30, 2021
In reply to @loribmt "Is that a catbird? ☺️ Your kitty is gorgeous! Look at those green eyes!!" + (show)
@loribmt

Is that a catbird? ☺️ Your kitty is gorgeous! Look at those green eyes!!

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Catbird indeed! Worse than one of those Blue Jays that love diving at your head when you get close to their nest. She does get a little nicer around dinner time.

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Merry, Alumni Mentor | @merpreb | May 31, 2021
In reply to @johnbishop "A twofer! What's outside my window today and what's on my window today 😁" + (show)
@johnbishop

A twofer! What's outside my window today and what's on my window today 😁

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I love black cats! SHe's gorgeous!

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ess77 - Elizabeth | @ess77 | May 31, 2021
In reply to @merpreb "We have an osprey nest near us and the parents are now feeding their chicks. We..." + (show)
@merpreb

We have an osprey nest near us and the parents are now feeding their chicks. We live a couple of small blocks from a river that feeds into the ocean.

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One of my favorites. several years ago, before my firance died, I was home alone looking out the window from the LR when a huge, dark shadow came over the house. I looked outside at the pool/deck area. There was a huge, absolutely beautiful blue heron....was just thinking of osprey and big birds!!!!! this came to mind to share....he was huge. Flew over the house and it was so large it created a dark shadow over the entire living area. It sat on top of the pool house for ever, just ckg out the area, deciding if to or not take a swim, ck'd out the creek behind the house and seemed to be there just for me. The only time this happened. He was to me a gift from God, as I love these birds so. I naturally had no way to take a picture. It's forever in my mind. clear as day. thanks for the memory, @merpreb
bless you, elizabeth

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