Tuesday, May 26, 2009

Red-Spotted Newt (Eft Stage)

Red-spotted Newt (Notophthalmus viridescens viridescens) This amphibian is greenish yellow in its larval stage. It has two grayish lines, located just off center on either side of the back. The lines run the length of the body. At hatching, the larva has gills and just a hint of forelegs. Two to three months into the larval stage, the forelegs and hindlegs have been developed, the gills are lost and the skin becomes granular and textured to the touch. At this point, metamorphosis takes place. The land-dwelling red eft stage is entered and the body becomes a brilliant red to orange-red. A row of black-bordered, round red spots appears on either side of the back; the belly is yellow during this sub-adult stage.
At the end of the eft stage and within a week of entering the water to live out its life as an adult, the skin becomes smooth, and the tail fin develops, becoming compressed vertically to look rudderlike. Its color now is drab-olive to yellowish brown or dark brown. The belly remains yellow and is sprinkled with many small black spots. A row of red spots, bordered with black, also covers the newt’s back on each side. In neither the eft nor newt stages are the costal grooves distinguishable.

Monday, May 25, 2009

Curiosity did what?


Rusty was trying to catch that bright light that kept flashing at him. He just couldn't figure out what it was. It was too funny!

Sunday, May 24, 2009

Nature Girl


This driver could be me - I'm happiest outdoors. Anyone else read Carl Hiaasen's book by this name? He is always so entertaining!!

Saturday, May 23, 2009

Squirrel Huntin'


That squirrel was teasing Aly...
...she didn't have a chance and he knew it!




It doesn't look like my sleeping bag is getting the airing out that I had intended when I left it draped over the deck railing. And to add insult to injury, look at the seeds the squirrel dropped onto it!

Friday, May 22, 2009

Boys will be boys...


Our youngest was bored the other day...so, he dug a hole!
If only he would apply as much enthusiasm to his chores...

Thursday, May 21, 2009

Horse Lover


I wish this was my license plate! I do have this bumper sticker though. Double G Ranch is my very favorite tack shop - they have everything you could ever want for your horses! I just wish that they weren't located 2 hours from here...

Wednesday, May 20, 2009

Rodeo Ma


My husband took this license plate for me, after hearing about my wild ride on Sunday. (He was home with the boys.) I took Kitch to our team penning club's first practice and he was sure feeling his oats! He was soooo excited to be chasing cows again, that when I asked him to back off, he took off bucking down the arena!! Now, mind you, this is Kitch and everything Kitch does, he does BIG!! I guess it was quite the show - I could hear everyone yelling at me to hang on - I finally got his head pulled into my knee, spun him around and sent him back into the herd after the next cow. He didn't fuss again after that. I was really glad that I had decided to wear my helmet and really, really glad that I didn't fall off!!!!

Tuesday, May 19, 2009

Sunday, May 17, 2009

Bald Eagle


I found some more photos that I took during the Maine Sportsman's Show that I wanted to share with you...This is a 4 year-old bald eagle that lives at the Maine Wildlife Park in Gray, Maine. When he was a chick, he and his sibling fell from their nest during a thunderstorm. His sibling died, but this eagle was rescued and was able to recover despite a broken wing. He'll never be able to survive in the wild, so will spend the rest of his days at the park.

Saturday, May 16, 2009

Friday, May 15, 2009

Braille


No offense, but I hope the blind person isn't the one driving...

Thursday, May 14, 2009

The Duckling Whisperer


Remember this post from last spring? Our youngest is spending lots of quality time with our new ducklings.

Tuesday, May 12, 2009

Couch Potatoes


In a very rare moment of quiet, Rusty and our oldest watch television.

Sunday, May 10, 2009

A Police Car Plate


This one isn't as interesting as most of the license plates that I post here. I took the picture because '2108' used to be our phone number at our old house....

Saturday, May 9, 2009

Daisy & The Peepers


Daisy sits and watches them for hours. She's very gentle and sniffs them sometimes, but she doesn't seem interested in having chicken nuggets for lunch. I don't leave her unattended though. That might be too much temptation.

Friday, May 8, 2009

Awww...peepers!


They are just too cute!! So, I had to bring them home... ;-)

Thursday, May 7, 2009

You Can Too


I may not have time now to post a photo every day, but I do still carry my camera everywhere with me. I keep seeing the greatest license plates and capturing them for you. I find this one very inspiring!

Wednesday, May 6, 2009

Cougar!


See, there are mountain lions in West Paris!!!! ;-)

My personal wild cat (kitten) Rusty, is sound asleep on my shoulder. I guess my blogging was boring him...

Tuesday, May 5, 2009

No More Van


I would have to say that this Hummer is a pretty good upgrade for a family....

Saturday, May 2, 2009

Meet Rusty!!


Remember the kittens that my son's best friend's cat had a couple of months ago? We did get one! I brought him home yesterday afternoon and surprised the boys. They were thrilled!! And we're all very much in love with him already. He's such a sweetie! As soon as you give him attention he starts purring and he won't quit until you put him down. He just loves to snuggle...and climb your pant legs - ouch!!