Kitty, Kitty

Kitty, Kitty

Kitty, Kitty © 2008 Bo Mackison

Jazz has a new home.

After being a homeless kitty during at least part of last winter’s cold, and then a shelter kitty, Jazz has a new home with my Sherpa and me. Jazz is a black lady cat, age unknown, who was found out in the country this spring and brought to the Humane Society. She had been on her own for quite awhile, but came through the experience with only a frostbitten ear from last winter’s exposure. Pretty amazing for a cat who is de-clawed – pretty lucky, too.

Though she’s a beautiful, sleek cat, she’s still shy and not quite ready to have her puss in a photo. I’ll give her time to adjust before I start in on the photo sittings. So this fun clay kitty from a local garden center is posing in her place.

Flowering in the Garden

Crazy for Cosmos

Crazy for Cosmos © 2008 Bo Mackison

Cosmos is an annual plant in my Wisconsin garden. Cosmos were grown by Spanish missionary priests in their gardens in Mexico. The “orderly” plant inspired them to name it “Cosmos” which is the Greek name for harmony or the ordered universe.

Cosmos was originally found in Mexico and South America, but now is cultivated all over the United States. This is one easy plant to grow. It tolerates poor soil, harsh weather and neglect, though I try not to take advantage of its easy going nature. It even self seeds in the autumn, and comes back for more the next year.

Coreopsis

Coreopsis © 2008 Bo Mackison

Yellow Coreopsis is one of my most prolific flowering plant, in bloom from late May through frost. Its common name is Tickweed because it’s seeds look like tiny insects, but it is more common to call this flower by its scientific name. It tolerates pretty poor growing conditions, and really thrives when cared for properly.

Aster

Ice Plants © 2008 Bo Mackison

These flowers are new to my garden, an Ice Plant. They are hardy, sun-worshippers that began their bloom in mid July and will keep the garden in a profusion of bright purples until frost.

Self-Portrait

Self Portrait

Self Portrait © 2008 Bo Mackison

Actually a portrait of my Sherpa and me. Ambling along the streets of Madison, always on the lookout for a shot. Paying attention to anything and everything. So much to see and absorb, and so much more I see with that darn camera in my hands.

Now I’m working on paying attention, being mindful, when I am sitting quietly, even without my friendly prop, the camera.  Being grateful. Being compassionate. Being happy. Concentrating on the present. Making a difference in small ways – I’m figuring it will add up in the long run.

Bogus!

Bogus!

Bogus! © 2008 Bo Mackison

I’ll let you come up with your own interpretation.

Snapping Turtle

Snapping Turtle

Snapper © 2008 Bo Mackison

This snapping turtle – one odd looking creature – was on dry land , traversing a muddy path moving south from the Wisconsin Riverway. She was not quite 2 feet long. It may look like I got rather close to her, but I’m not crazy – I was using a 70-300 mm telephoto lens. Even so I was about 3 feet away, and didn’t choose to get closer. She did sit quietly, staring at me wherever I went, and wasn’t disturbed as I set up my tripod to take a few photos.

Early to mid summer is a good time to see snapping turtles as it is their peak egg-laying time, and the turtles actively move from ponds and streams to nest-sites. They prefer sandy, south-facing banks and are frequently seen laying eggs along country roads. If seen in a road, they should be prodded towards the side which they are headed. Probably better not to pick one up as these turtles have strong jaws and long necks. And, after all, they are called “snapping” turtles.

Their feet are equipped with bear-like claws and their tails resemble the tails of dinosaurs. I think their faces look a bit like a mole’s face. Definitely a prehistoric-looking creature. They mostly live in the eastern two-thirds of the United States and Central America. Individuals can live at least 50 years.

Snapping turtles, as we know them, evolved about 40 million years ago, and they are the ancestors of most turtles of today. Today’s snapping turtles have hardly changed from 215 million years ago when the most primitive turtle we have evidence of lived. In comparison, the era of dinosaurs was approximately 150 million years ago and humans evolved a mere 3.5 million years ago.