May 1 - Happy 22nd Birthday, YoYo!

1 week old

3 weeks old

22 years old!

Avian High Rise Condos

Leaving Elgin this morning, I stopped for a few minutes as I passed by the Lake Renwick Rookery. Taken from the roadside, the picture quality doesn't do the place justice, nor show how many other structures are in place. I'm always amazed at the shear volume of nesting birds on these manmade sites, as well as on the surrounding trees. The various species, which include great blue herons, great egrets, black-crowned night herons, double-crested cormorants, and cattle egrets all nest on the site. Each species has it's own height preference, creating "layers."

 Click on Lake Renwick Preserve for more information.

A Beautiful Day in Elgin

Lilly and I are in Elgin for a couple of days. We had some time to kill while waiting for Lyle's tennis team to finish practicing so we walked down to the river and over the iron bridge onto the nicely landscaped islands in the middle. What a perfect day - sunny, 65 degrees, and lots of spring scenery!

Honked Off

I was biking with Lilly through the park today when we happened upon this goose on her nest. When we paused to admire, the gander swam hastily from across the lagoon and took his place alongside the female, ready to defend their nest. You have to admire his willingness to take on a human, a bike and dog. Not willing to risk loosing skin to goose beaks, we moved along.

More spring flowers....and some chickens....

I gotta say I do love my yard this time of year.

(except for all the tiny caterpillars that ate every bit of my columbines, 

except the flowers themselves. grrr)

It's a Bright Sun-Shiney Day!

Formby - aka Sunshine Super Poo!

Truvy - "Who's that pretty kitty?"

Spring Color

Puppies!

Much too early to say for sure, but here might be the earliest photo of my next pup. 

Lilly's mom, Halor, was bred to Easton's dad, Paxton III, and an ultrasound at CCI today confirmed the pregnancy. Two pups shown in this ultrasound, one in each of the two upper corners. Unknown as exactly how many pups are in there, but the Dr. seem to think "plenty!" As I'm hoping a pup gets sent to our region, I've already put in my request. Funny thing that I've said CCI would have to work hard to con me into overlapping pups (this one would be ready a month before Lilly's turn-in) and here I go conning myself in to it!  LOL

Back from Paris!

We had a great time in Paris, enjoying the sites, food and people.

Took hundreds of photos, but will only force a few upon the blog.

Best way to insure a good flight?

Arc de Triomphe, just two blocks from our hotel.

Obligatory Eiffel Tower photo.

The Seine River

We toured the Catacombs. A little eerie, but fascinating.

 Le Defense area, 

with modern buildings and artistic flair.

Sculpture?

Imagination!

Sidewalk Cafes

We spent a lot of time and even more money at them, 

but there's no better place to relax and people watch.

Lyle captured this colorful view.

Yes, we caved! 

We had to try it once (OK, twice), and have to say Starbucks is even better overseas, 

but still not as good as the coffee of the French cafes.

We spotted this in an art market in the Marais. 

Almost bought it, and kind of wish I had.

Easter display in our hotel. 

The lobby smelled so strongly of chocolate it was almost overpowering.

 Very pretty, at least until people started breaking off chunks of it.