It's Sunday morning! Woohoo! Hey, wait ... what am I so excited about? That means it's the last day of my staycation. Wah. However, it's also time for my weekly off television topic reflection on the week gone by in both words and photographs I've taken along the way.
I had all kinds of grand plans regarding what I'd get done and do this past week. While I did get some things done, I ended up goofing off most of the time. After three months of getting little sleep between work and covering the
Big Brother 15 live feeds and show here on the blog, I was exhausted.
While I did get some of my planned errands done and I made a trip to Mindowaskin Park in Westfield to take photos and enjoy the peaceful tranquility there, I never did make it into the city. I was going to go into Little Italy in Manhattan for the Feast of San Genaro -- which was going on all week -- but I never got the energy to do so. Instead, I spent a good part of the time this past week stuck under a cat.
I need to go back to relaxing ... here are the photos!
 |
| Idyllic |
I believe this was my favorite photo I took at Mindowaskin Park in Westfield. The footbridges over the water lend themselves to fantastic reflections, throw in three ducks and you got yourself a bit of tranquility!
 |
| Red eared slider |
More about this little guy a bit later in the post ...
 |
| Reflecting on a duck |
A duck and her reflection at Mindowaskin Park.
**CLICK THE 'READ MORE' LINK TO SEE THE REST OF THE PHOTOS**
TAKEN AT MINDOWASKIN PARK IN WESTFIELD, NJ
 |
| Balancing act |
 |
| Yellow moth |
 |
| Against the water |
 |
| Yellow hibiscus |
 |
| Duck couple |
 |
| Duck in profile |
 |
| Goose photobombs the ducks |
So, there I was, innocently taking duck photos when up pops a goose! Talk about
photobombing!
 |
| Let sleeping ducks lie |
 |
| Bottoms up! |
Like in a square dance, duck for the oysters, dive for the clams!
 |
| Goose mug shot |
 |
| Up close and personal |
 |
| Incoming! |
 |
| Eek! Whazzat?!?! |
I lie. I knew what it was when I shot the photo. I had spotted this turtle sunning itself on a rock. But it's way timid. When it heard me, it slid right off into the water. I stayed still for a while taking shots of it swimming. It must have thought I left, so it returned to its rock. In scouting around, I found it's a red eared slider turtle. While they can grow over a foot long, this one's shell was six, perhaps seven, inches. But it's my first sighting of a turtle in the state. So, that's very neat indeed.
 |
| Why, it's a swimming turtle! |
My, what big back feet you have!
 |
| If I really stretch my neck ... |
... I can get back up on this rock to sun! I need me my rays, dude!
 |
| King of the rock! |
Yeah, those ducks better stay away!
 |
| Yeah, I be cool |
That is until I got up from the bench again. ZOOM! He slid right back into the water, that red eared slider!
*******************************************
 |
| Weeds |
 |
| Busy bee |
 |
| Hibiscus |
Reaching to the sky on Elm Street in Westfield.
 |
| Shadows |
Bikes parked by the fire escape at Rialto's Theater in Westfield.
 |
| Oxtails |
Y'know, I never saw oxtails used in so many dishes until I moved to Plainfield! Where do all these oxes come from? Are there ox farms I don't know about in the state? Outside a restaurant on Watchung Avenue in Plainfield.
 |
| Abandoned |
Hmm. The last time I went by this unique home on Crescent Avenue in Plainfield, it was occupied. It's very well kept up, so I hope it doesn't sit empty long and deteriorate. That would be a shame.
 |
| Krizadon's Motorcycle Garage |
Derrick of Krizadon's Motorcycle Garage on North Avenue in Plainfield was kind enough to move gates exposing the whole garage door and to pose for this photo. He showed me some motorcycles inside that were super cool. I almost wish I rode!
 |
| Keath Gerald Jr.'s artwork |
I talked to the young man who painted these for a while. His parents must be very proud! KGpaintings.wordpress.com -- taken at the Plainfield Outdoor Art Festival in Library Park, Plainfield.
 |
| Balloon magic |
In the Children's Art section of the Art Festival, there was a balloon animal artist for the kids. (Along with his way cool rabbit!)
 |
| Festival bunny |
I've never seen a bunny quite like this one. It was great with the kids and untethered. Cool.
 |
| Orba, the cross orbweaver spider |
After disappearing for several days, Orba is back in her spot. This was by flash again. It's odd the difference in her looks between what's reflected by the flash or photos taken in natural daylight. Berckman Street, Plainfield.
 |
| Vincent, the ultimate cat |
He's been spoiled rotten all week! He's going to be very upset when I go back to work tomorrow. Poor kitty.
6 comments:
Fantastic photos this week, Jackie! But "Reflecting on a Duck" blew me away.
Beautiful! I liked the bridge best.
Duck, Duck, Turtle!!
Oh my, you made my day with the ducks. Did you think of me when you saw them and took these wonderful pictures? Just amazing. All of them are, of course, but the ducks have me mesmerized.
I'm glad you enjoyed your staycation and got the rest you so deserved. See you on the Island!
Jackie,
What with all the little things you spot, you must have eyes like a chicken-hawk!!
That shot of the duck and bridge provides a rather optical illusion.
Jackie, glad you got some rest this past week. You earned it after putting up with BB this year.
"Idyllic" was my favorite non-Vincent photo this week. Loved the turtle and duck shots.
Sharon, Jackie has the eye of an eagle.
I would like to start taking photo's. Maybe even study beginning photography. I have admired your photos for some time now. They are absolutely beautiful. What camera do you use?
Kathy in Brooklyn
Post a Comment