Saturday, March 10, 2007

Creatures in the Night


For most of this past week, the motion detector flood light has come several times each night. Usually, it's the neighborhood cats. However, the other night we had a raccoon come and visit here. While they are very common critters here, it's the first time we've seen one since we moved here in 2005.

I put several bird feeders out back and this tends to draw all manner of animals. Mostly squirrels and mice. The weird thing about this raccoon is that it didn't even look under the bird feeders. It just walked across the yard and climbed the Oak tree right outside the kitchen window. It was about zero degrees outside that night, and there's no holes big enough in that tree to hide in. We watched for awhile, as he went up and up. We never saw him (seemed like a him) come down, and we haven't seen him since. I felt bad that a creature had to be out in such freezing weather. Last night the flood light came on about 5 times, and whatever it tripped the sensor was gone by the time I got to the window. Very odd. Makes me wonder what else is creeping around outside there while I'm nice and cozy inside.

We had installed that light after several rounds of finding the Police in our yard with dogs looking for someone. We live in a very rural and safe neighborhood, but there are allot of summer houses here, and they get broken into. Last Summer we had the electrician put sensor lights around the house. I feel much better here when I can see outside. Besides, I love to watch it snow at night.

Anyway, I've been thinking about what is walking around here at night, unseen. Just out there doing their animal things, surviving. what kind of critters do you have at night near your home?

Friday, March 9, 2007

Chicago trip : Part Three~ Art Institute of Chicago


On our last day in Chicago, we visited the world renowned Art Institute. I love Impressionist art, and the collection there is fabulous! There was an exhibit going on featuring the collection amassed by Vollard, an art dealer in Paris. We weren't allowed to take pictures of those paintings, but the collection brought back together from all over the world, was stunning. There were also beautiful collections of decorative art, and Asian artifacts.
Here's some photos from the things that caught my eye, including my favorite Renoir painting the Two Sisters. Some of these views are details of the art.

Hope you enjoy this little view into the Institute
~tracyw





Thursday, March 8, 2007

Chicago trip : Part Two~ Field Museum of Natural History

Well, on Day two, Mom and I went to the field Museum to see all manner of interesting things! From dinosaurs to ceramic goddesses to crystals, it was fabulous! The Quart crystal pictured is about 350 pounds!
This is also the home of Sue, the only full complete Tyrannisaurus(sp) Rex skeleton in any musuem. Unbelievably, scary-huge! There was also a wonderful tibetan exhibit, and loads of native peoples stuff. Made for a really nice day!
Here's a few photos for you!
More on the trip tomorrow,
~tracyw

Tuesday, March 6, 2007

Chicago trip : Part One~ Shedd Aquarium

Hi everyone! It's good to be home!
After taking a couple of days to actually get to Chicago, we finally made it! Getting out of Bradley airport in Hartford, Ct took extra time due to the bad weather.


On our first day in Chicago, we beelined over to the Shedd Aquarium. My family has a soft spot for all things animal, so it's the first place we wanted to go. Besides, what else should one do on a cold and nasty Midwestern afternoon? At the aquarium, they had so many cool exhibits, both temporary and permanent. I've posted a few pics from this part of my trip.The white Beluga whale is named Niya. She would just float around, propped up by her tail, and watch the people watching her. It was too funny!

I'll post more photos of the rest of the trip tomorrow! I just have to edit a bunch of photos that I took. I had a terrible time with my camera most of the trip ;0(
Well, enjoy the photos!
blessings,
tracyw