Once again, I don't have all that much to report here. The weather's been muggy most of the week. I don't like muggy. I'd say I don't do muggy but I don't have much choice in the matter.
I do see some rest on the horizon -- I have two four-day work weeks ahead of me, then a staycation for my birthday week, the season finale of Big Brother and the start of Survivor. It's going to be amazing to not cope with only three or four hours of sleep a night. I forgot what that's like. And, today I can actually nap all day if I want as I'm off tomorrow for the holiday! Yay.
On the home front, all is well. No one stole my newspaper this morning, but it was delivered much later than it has been in the past. Usually it's out there by 5:30am. Today I found it on my fourth trip down at about 7:30. Maybe that's what happened last week. I might have given up on it too early and someone eventually did snag it. I don't use the front door of the apartment building, so it might have happened that way. Oh, well. At least during one of the trips I dropped off my rent in the secure mail slot doohickey for the landlord. It had that huge $5 increase for the new lease.
Onto this week's photos ...
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| Here's lookin' at you, kid |
I ended up having a fantastic photo session with a praying mantis this week. More photos of her (I think her) after the jump.
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| A cacophony of flowers |
These are going amok this year at the house on the corner of Richmond and East Front in Plainfield.
**CLICK THE 'READ MORE' LINK TO SEE THE REST OF THE PHOTOS**
Jackie and the teensy snail
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| A teensy snail! |
I barely noticed this teensy snail near the railing handle to go up the steps at the Bridgewater Train Station. But I did notice it. So I had to shoot it.
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| See how teensy! |
This is my index finger next to it. I have big fingers.
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| Such a delicate shell |
Almost translucent.
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| Autumn colors popping up |
Over last weekend things started to change a bit. It's definitely not because it's cold! It must be the different angle of the sun.
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| Monday morning ... sigh |
Approaching the Plainfield Train Station from East Third Street. They finally fixed the Sandy-darkened traffic lights, yet the stop signs remain pink with age.
Along came a spider ...
I've been watching this spider on Berckman Street in Plainfield. Unlike so many of my searches, I quickly found out what it is -- a female cross orbweaver. Although I definitely don't want it in my apartment, this is way cool in its element. I was disappointed the day after heavy rains when it seemed to be gone. But, nope! She has been rebuilding her little empire. Legs extended, she's probably just shy of an inch. Cool. But don't bite me!
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| Cross orbweaver hanging in there |
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| Whoa! Busy little gal! |
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| Taking over lots of space |
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| Into the spider's web |
I gave a close-up of the web the old black and white treatment.
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| Currently growing on the fence |
These are growing now on the fence alongside my apartment building. The morning glory is still on the back fence.
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| Stinkhorn gathering |
Gathering in the morning, shriveled up by the afternoon. I'm finding that due to either weather or perhaps chemical control, stinkhorn mushrooms growing in wood chips aren't AS prevalent this season. Yet they thrive by this one tree while other trees in the area have none. Bridgewater, NJ.
My photo session with a praying mantis
I noticed this praying mantis outside my workplace. She (I think it's a she) was very cooperative and apparently wanted to be an internet star. She was very aware of the camera, turning her head towards it as I took shots from several angles. Yet she remained there as if she knew I meant no harm. Cool.
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| GEICO banner plane |
I've posted photos of the blimps that hover around Bridgewater, NJ, and have mentioned this banner plane before. Alas, it's not a great shot as the plane flies with the banner so far behind it. Last week I saw a lighted blimp in the night skies over Plainfield on Saturday. My photos of that one didn't turn out well. (Grr.) I have no clue what the lighted letters on it read.
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| Don't lean on the fence! |
Practically every opening in this fence rail has yellow jacket wasps nesting in it. Bridgewater Train Station.
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| A fungus grows in Plainfield |
Growing at the base of a tree on East Front Street, Plainfield.
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| After the weekend |
Hiccup! (No, it wasn't mine.) I spotted this abandoned bottle of beer after what must have been a wild weekend downtown in Plainfield.
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| Can't I roll in catnip in peace? |
No, Vincent. I must chronicle your most embarrassing moments. Ha!
11 comments:
Jackie, what kind of camera do you use to take these outstanding pics? The color an sharpness are amazing! Thanks for sharing!
I love the pretty mantis pics, you have such a great eye.
Happy Sunday, Jackie! You're a very brave lady, getting close enough to get the shots of the wasps! Even with a telephoto lens, it would be too close for me!
Hey Jackie, I live in your town and wanted to tell you: the wild turkeys are back! No not the alcohol, the birds!
We saw them crossing Watchung Ave this morning - I haven't seen them in several years.
These ones were a lot smaller...
You certainly have a way with little critters. Enjoyed all the photos.
It's a toss up for my favorite picture of the week (not counting Sir Vincent).
The first praying mantis picture is phenomenal. I am also intrigued by the web pictures. When I was staying with Momma after her accident last year I loved sitting on the back porch in the evening and watching the spider build it's web.
Always enjoy your Sunday blog. Love the photos! Thanks for sharing.
Can't stand spiders, but they are fascinating creatures. Great shots of the webbing!
Is that a climbing jasmine (mass of white flowers)?
Astoundingly great photography! What next? A mantis eating an orb weaver that had just captured a small portion of escargot in its web?
Thank you! I used a Canon digital camera for all the shots in this entry. Sometimes I edit and bump up the contrast or sharpen the image a bit, but most are untouched other than resizing down or cropping to post online. I do tend to hold my breath to keep the camera steady.
And ... wild turkeys on Watchung Avenue? I want to shoot them! (With the camera, of course.)
That Praying Mantis photo is awesome!!
tbc
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