More Baby Birds

Looking from bottom to top is a sequence of a hungry little bird getting fed.

Sunrise

Early morning on the prairie.

Nasty job

Do you know what a pain it is to paint a picket fence? What a job for Memorial Day Weekend!

Corn is growing

The wet weather has slowed planting but here is some corm planted in the filed behind us.

Looking for Cats

My morning walks of 3 miles in Homer have amount to about 1000 miles a year so for 10 years of walking it can get a little boring. However, I have fun checking for cats looking out windows at Yoshi and I and here is one.

Robins

I need to work on the lighting but the little one sure was hungry.

Peanuts

Some years ago I bought a big bag of peanuts and brought them to my office to share with all. It was a great way to bring together faculty and students in my office. I finally found a new source and you are all welcome to a handful but you have to stay and chat.

More Birds

Can you guess which one is the returning wren and the vulture?

Farmers market

The Urbana Farmers market is back in operation. Great news.

Bath time

Splashing around

Bird nest updates

we await the blessed events on our front porch.

Prairie view

Things (corn or beans) should be turning green soon.

Lots of Birds

Lots of very colorful birds in my backyard. Baltimore Orioles, Rose Breasted Grossbeaks and a Goldfinch.

Tourism Technology Seminar

Lee Byeong Cheol and I presented a session titled "Tourism Technology and You" for the Central IL Tourism Development Office and it went over really well.

Graduation

Univ. of Illinois Department of Recreation, Sport and Tourism. Faculty and a group of 2008 graduates.

Spring Trees

I can't tell for sure but it appears flowering trees do better in some years than others. In any case this year has been outstanding and this image is of a redbud.

Underware Drawer

I was trying to put some wash away and Poe jumped in the middle of things. Cats........

Russian Space Posters

These are three 1961 CCCP space posters that we just got framed. Together they are about 6 feet across and make a great presentation.

Baltimore Oriole

The return of so many colorful birds is wonderful. We now have goldfinches, rose breasted grosbeaks and these marvelous but migratory Baltimore orioles. As soon as the boss gets back from FL with the telephoto lens i hope for some great shots.

Spring Gardening

This is just the start of planting season.

End of Class Dinner

The Action Research class (minus Ashley and Janni) enjoying dinner. Everyone left Homer stuffed, so I guess that is a compliment to my cooking.

Good Smells

My early morning walks are more than just some fresh air and exercise. It is a time to see, hear, feel and smell ones environment. On this excursion I happened to walk by a lilac bush that had just started blooming and filled the air with such a pleasant fragrance. Closer to home I was walking by the Caseys and the smell of frying donuts was wafting in my direction. I'm not a big fan of sugary donuts but they sure got my apatite going.

Spring Planting

Spring corn planting is taking place in a big way but this is not a typical representation. The tractor is old, the farmer is old and the planter is small. The newest equipment could plant at four times of this machinery. Nevertheless corn is being planted in hopes of a very profitable year.

Specil delivery

No this is not about teen pregnancy but I must admit to a double take after seeing a middle schlooler pushing a baby stroller. However it was full of Sunday newspapers on her route.

Gosslings

My Faforite Tulips

A Big Fence

My neighbors closed in their yard with a 6ft privacy fence. I didn't resist the work due to the fact that they have a severely autistic young child they need to keep their eyes on.

Weeping Cherry Tree

The weeping cherry tree I planted 10+ years ago is finally blooming profusely and this is looking up into the blossoms.

New Family Visit

I think this might be the quick work of doves but will keep an eye on it.

Spring Flowers

Can't help focusing on the beauty of spring.

Earthquake

It is hard to take a picture of an earthquake when no damage occurs but the other morning at 4:38 we had one registering a 5.2 in intensity. I jumped out of bed in the middle of it and ran to the kitchen to hear a strange noise there. The plates in this cabinet were vibrating against one another.