Say hello to my dragonfly buddy.

Well, I first “met” this guy in early June. He’s a blue dasher (or Pachydiplax longipennis [please tell me I'm not the only immature one who snickered at that]) dragonfly. There are bugs that I hate- cockroaches, mosquitoes, ticks, fleas, giant tarantulas (IN this house- if they’re outside spiders don’t bother me) and lubbers.

Dragonflies are not among them. They’re the best weapon against mosquitoes, for one. They’re colorful and friendly- so pretty easy to photograph. The real reason I’m so fond of them, though? They look like they’re smiling! I honestly think they’re downright cute!

Anyway, this guy’s been around for a while- I’m fond of him. While taking these pictures, though, I noticed something- he had a BUG attached to him! Gross! Ugh! I wanted to flick that little dragonfly bloodsucker off, but, there’s no way I’m fast enough! I hope it doesn’t hurt him.

I mean, look at this face! I would miss him!

Be thankful that I didn’t post the close-ups of his hitchhiker (I think it’s a water mite). Blech.

One crazy daisy.

This is one of the daisies Gabe helped me pot up for the porch this summer. It had a sad bloom when we bought it, and absolutely nothing since. Until this guy (and two BUDdies- har-har) popped up this past week. It sure is a fancy daisy!

Day 102

I love how downright hairy plants look when you get good and close.

Day 100

Finally got around to potting up some daisies! It feels like spring. A warmer than usual spring- but, spring.

Day 93

Some mornings, Gwen wakes me up before everyone else in the house. It’s so weird to have no dogs underfoot, no toddler noises, the sound of their daddy’s fingers tapping his computer keys.

This morning was one of those- I decided to walk outside to greet the sun, just as it was coming up over the houses across the street. It made the sky look like it was on fire- so pretty.

Day 89

“Oooh, smells so pretty, mom!”

Heheh. No it doesn’t- it’s a scentless weed. But, he’s awfully cute.

Day 80

Well, hell-oh there, big guy! Mr. Chompers, one of the alligators we encounter from time to time at one of our favorite county parks. And this wasn’t shot with a zoom. He gets pretty close to the walkway. Lucky us, he’s well fed on the fish and birds from the St. John’s River- the park backs up to it.

Day 58

I finally made it out for a full moon! Brrrr it was chilly. They call February’s full moon the snow moon, but, it wasn’t THAT cold. Phew.

Day 49

Weeds. The only thing that’s still growing. At least this one is a tiny bit pretty. Come soon, spring.

Day 31

So, January’s full moon is called a Wolf Moon. This was a day late from the full moon, so, technically a waning moon. But, still huge and almost creepy on such a cloudy night, with that glow around it.