Five Senses Friday - The Feb 17, 2012 Edition

The day dawned cool but sunny with a prediction of 50 degrees.  WHAT??? 50 degrees on Feb 17th, this has been the craziest winter.  I heard our local weatherman yesterday tell us that this is the warmest winter in 80 years.  I have not even worn my heavy, heavy coat this winter.  Almost like Florida (well not quite) but sure seems like it.  No snow, 50 degree temps.  We drove thru the Arboretum today and thought if this weather continues we could start seeing wildflowers poking their heads out any day.   And speaking of flowers, my beautiful orange tulips were the first thing that caught my eye as I walked down the stairs this morning.   How lovely these are, especially in the blue vase.

 Linking up with Misty & Kim for Shoot, Edit, Submit....

After my tulip greeting, I prepared my morning coffee....a new one that I am tasting (it was on sale) and after enjoying it for the last 2 days, I think it's a winner.  Must remember to return to Walgreens and buy more while it's on sale.  Now how many people would take a picture of their new coffee?    Even added a texture by Kim Klassen (scripted) to add a little oomph.  If you like your coffee a tad on the bold side (not talking Starbucks bold), this may be for you.

Catherine and I had really hoped that snow would fall this week so we could make a trip to the country to photograph barns covered with snow, especially red barns covered in snow.  But as I stated earlier, no snow has come our way, so no trip to the country.  Instead we decided to go to a local photography store, Calumet.  Great selection, terrific and knowledgeable staff, great fun.  I came this close to buying a new wide format Canon printer.  I have a Canon now and have loved it, so I'm stickin' to Canon.  Catherine just purchased a fancy really wide format Epson printer so she wanted to buy some specialty papers to experiment with.  Had my camera with me and they allow you to test any lens on your own camera in the store.  Tried the Lens Baby...what a fun lens, may have to break down and buy one.  My wish list continues to grow oh dear, oh dear.  After this the tummy was telling us that it was definitely time to eat, so off to lunch.  Decided on "Stir Crazy" and as we walked closer you could smell the wonderful aromas.  Delicious lunch, nothing left on my plate, good to the last morsel.

After that palate perfect lunch we stopped off at the Willowbrook Nature and Animal Rescue & Rehabilitation Center.  What a nifty place.  They rescue small animals and birds of all kinds that have been hurt, nurse them back to health and release them back into the wild.  There are some that have remained permanently, their injuries were such that releasing them could be harmful for them.   Fortunately while we were there, one of the trainers was working with an American Kestrel, the smallest species in the hawk family.  She had been caught in a rat trap, lost a lot of tail feathers which will grow back, and 2 of her talons, which will not grow back.  Taking pics of birds and animals is a real passion of mine, if I were 20 years younger I would go off to Africa and become a wild animal photographer.  But I will have to settle for moments like this.  Seeing and hearing these birds fills me with joy.

Sharing with Alicia this week for her Poetic Winter challenge.  This week the challenge is passion....

I think this is an eagle, young eagles don't get that white cap on their heads until they are mature.

A Sand Crane....check those orange eyes!

A quick drive thru the arboretum on the way home, stopping to admire the remains of the winter....if you touched these dried seed heads they crumble and fly away in the wind, planting their seeds in new places.

"We become happier, much happier, when we realize that life is an opportunity rather than an obligation."  ~  Mary Augustine

Until next time.....