photos

Irises and More

Rae Spencer4 Comments

Today’s survey of the yard found an abundance of irises, a few sleepy roses, and a single amaryllis.

There’s also a new species of dragonfly–one made of spoons. (Thank you, Sharon!)

And, ruling over it all, a grumpy robin. I’ve been attacked by nesting blue jays more than once, but today’s robin attack was a first. The irony is that I never would have found her nest, had the robin ignored me. Instead, she chirped and complained and tried to pull my hair as I knelt in the irises, which made me very curious…

Publication note:  Poetry Breakfast posted my poem “Rinse and Repeat” today. Many thanks to editor Isabel Sylvan!

Grasshoppers

Rae Spencer5 Comments

Looking through the Insect Archives, I realized that grasshoppers remind me of childhood, of hot walks on the pasture and long afternoons in the yard. Sitting in my quiet office, I can almost hear them. The click as they leap away and the receding buzz of wings, over and over again. These photos make me wish for tall itchy grass and hot dry wind, for a few hours of summer to spend with long departed friends.

From the Sparrow Archives

Rae Spencer7 Comments

My day is too short, my list too long. Books and projects tug at my attention, while bills and guilt lurk in every shadow. I wonder if this is how sparrows feel as they forage and flirt, keeping their constant predator alert…

A Quiet Day

Rae Spencer4 Comments

Today has been almost summer-like. Very warm, very breezy, and very sleepy.  A paper wasp worked under the eaves, a damselfly hunted in the irises, and something mantis-like prowled through the hydrangea. I did small, invisible chores in the house and in my office. Now I’m ready to find a quiet corner, curl up with the cats, and open the new book on my nightstand. Page one…

In case you’re wondering, the book is Rocks of Ages by Stephen Jay Gould.

Norfolk Botanical Garden

Rae Spencer2 Comments

It was a beautiful day for a walk with friends, and Norfolk Botanical Garden provided a beautiful setting. Warm sun, gentle breeze, and acres of flowers. I didn’t see many bees and butterflies, but there were plenty of turtles. And geese. Even a pair of nesting eagles…

This slideshow requires JavaScript.