Wild Berries – Walking /Bicycle Track in Peoria Heights, Ilinois

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Wild Berries along Walking/Bicycle Trail in Peoria Heights, Illinois. I took this image in October 2015

Dan o. De Ment

Don't Fence Us In

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I took this image in San Antonio, Texas, a number of years ago.

I MAY HAVE ALMOST FIGURED IT OUT … STILL FRUSTRATED.

Dan O. De Ment

What is going on with WordPress

I don’t know what to think of WordPress at this time. I can’t understand their posting! Instead of allowing us to put a new post, with an image, at the top we have to change editors, or if we’re in the correct editor that allows you to set your post the top of the blog, then it doesn’t do it. Then the publish widget is nowhere to be seen. Then it tells you it has been published and you don’t know where the post is. Now, I use WordPress.com, and obviously, this post will be published. The PUBLISH widget is visible at the top. Is it me? Is it the ANDROID system? This has not published.

Dan O. De Ment

Male Cardinal Considering His Surroundings

Well, this must have been a time for contemplation – while feeding.

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A Dusting of Wet Snow

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Early this morning

We awoke this morning to a wet snow that covered all but the street.

Dan O. De Ment

HAPPY NEW YEAR

Happy New Year to all my friends around the world.

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Dan O. De Ment

Climate Change – when I was a Boy

When I was a boy, some 70 years ago, I was already seven years old, winter came in December and with it came the snow – often snowed right up into early April. I MEAN IT SNOWED EVERY FEW DAYS.

Now we’re in another century and I’ve certainly seen a drastic climatic change. Yesterday, Christmas Day, it was 60 degrees here in Central Illinois. It will be 60 today. The forecast for January, at this time, is for snow , not a lot, off and on, through the month. That is not normal! I can remember, before I retired in 2002, it was probably in the late 80’or early 90’s, one January the temperature during the day never got above zero the whole month. Those out there that believe climate change is a hoax are in for a big shock. I’ve been around for more than three quarters of a century and I’ve seen what’s happening – what’s coming! Our government officials had better make this a priority. CLIMATE CHANGE MAY BE GRADUAL BUT IT’S NO HOAX.

Dan O. De Ment

Have a Happy and Healthy Holiday Season and a Prosperous New Year

Dan O. De Ment

Across our little Valley in Snow

Apartments and Condos across the way

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With the Sun coming up

I shot these images this morning with my Samsung Tab E.

Dan O. De Ment

BUSHY-TAILED SQUIRREL

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This little fella was just outside our sliding glass, patio door. He’s one of five that are always hanging around.

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Barred Owl Resting

I looked out the sliding glass door to our deck and this beautiful, Barred Owl, was sitting on a branch checking out the area. I am not a fan of raptors but he was asking to be photographed. Sorry it’s a bit hazy.

Dan O. De Ment

 

FOUR SQUIRRELS ENJOYING THEIR THANKSGIVING WALNUTS

FOUR SQUIRRELS FOUR

The fourth squirrel is a bit hidden – straight back from the one on the right. Used my 28-80 Wide Angle Lens here.

Happy Thanksgivimg today is the USA.

Dan O. De Ment

Caught You!😁

This is,  “Scooter.”  His mouth contains part of a Walnut he’s about to scurry up a tree with, chew open the0inner shell, and then eat the nut.  This goes on most of the day.

Dan O. De Ment

Feral Cat at the Condo

This is one of two Feral Cats we’ve had on our deck. I believe I’ll name this fella, “Curious.” He’ll walk across the deck, sit down or lay down, and stare at you until you move on. He doesn’t seem scared but he’s cautious.

Dan O. De Ment

More Images from the Condo

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The last image is through our kitchen window.

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View from our back Deck

This is the view we have at the moment.  When the leaves fall we will get a good look at what’s about us.   All the normal critters from rabbits to birds to chipmunks thrive here.  No deer yet.  Soon, we hope.

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New Condo

We are now in our new condo…what a trial for elderly folks. Box after box to unload and we never seem to make any headway.

Called to have our TV hooked up to DISH and find out our Home Owners Association doesn’t allow DISH. Have to go with AT&T our COMCAST. I need to check their prices.

Just a whipped old man.

Dan O. De Ment

Downsizing to a Condominium

It’s been quite some time since my last post.  My wife and I have been looking to downsize for over a year now.  She’s done all the work, I must say, scouring through the real estate company website’s for the right place.  Finally we found a Condo we wanted to look at and it is just what we need.  Going fron 1500+ square feet down to 952 square feet means a lot of material things need to go.  We’ve been selling through Face Book’s sales site and have had good luck.  We’ve sold everything from a leaf blower to a tread mill, a book case, and a bicycle.  More too!  Now we’re waiting for the final appraisal of our home which should be the last hurdle to our purchasing the Condo.  Hopefully, we’ll move in September 16th – that’s the scheduled date anyway.  I won’t be posting any more images till we’ve moved.  Thanks for your time and continued interest in Elm Drive Images.

Dan O. De Ment

 

 

 

Day Lillies

These Day Lillies are located in what was once a fire pit. My wife and one of our daughters converted it to a flower presentation.

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Hanging Impatients

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Cicada

I shot this image in the summer of 2010.  The Cicadas had broken through their hidden places in the earth to breed.  Their life span above ground is for that purpose only.  I was not sure if these were 17 or 24 year Cicadas.  You talk about noise!  Millions of them bellowing their eerie calls to one another is something you’ll never forget.  I can remember, as a boy, when they appeared – by the hundreds of thousands they covered your home, garage, trees.  Their eyes are briliant red.  I wish I could have got a better image but this was at the end of their cycle.

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Purple Iris

These Iris are no longer blooming.  They bloom early and then you don’t see them until the next spring.

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Male Cardinal Feeding Cautiously

 

This little fella was caught with his mouth full.  A couple of his friends look on.

 

Dan O. De Ment

The Male Cardinal and the Grey Squirrel

I captured these two friends below our backyard feeder.

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Flowering Crab showers garden floor with pedals

The other morning I awoke, opened the curtain to our sliding glass back door, and saw the above.

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Rose-Breasted Grosbeak

This is the first Grosbeak we’ve ever seen on our property since moving here in 2007.  Sorry it’s so small.  I only had time to grab my point and shoot camera to take the shot  – could not zoom in close enough.  My wife said she thought she saw the bird yesterday.  I’ll try to get a better image with my Canon 75-300 zoom lens if I can – if we ever see it again.

Dan O. De Ment

 

 

 

Flowering Crab Spring 2019

Our Flowering Crab has brighter blooms this year than any year since 2007.

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Office Suites at Junction City

These office suites are part of a rustic, country style small business and restaurant complex named, Junction City.  Years ago, when the site first opened, there were two railroad dining cars on another area of the site that were attached to the main dining facility which was named, Vonachen’s Junction – after the man who built it.  It has long since been torn down and now a parking lot sets in its place.  I’ll shoot more images of the main facility this Spring and Summer.  The above shot was taken in 2014.

Dan O. De Ment

 

 

Vineyard Vista

I shot this images at a wedding in 2012.  I found it this morning as I was surfing through past photos.

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Springs flowers and Blossoming Trees and Bushes

 

Hopefully we’ll all get out and show off the new growth in our respective areas in the next few weeks.  Let’s get to work!

I stole the above image from a post a few years ago.  As of this posting these flowers are beginning to bloom in our backyard garden.

Dan O. De Ment

Waiting above the Feeder

I thought I had displayed this image earlier. It appears I did not.

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April 14 2019 Snow Shower+

Moments after I took this image the snow became much heavier.  We could get one to two inches.

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Morning Dove resting in the Mulch

I captured this little lady resting all by herself this morning.  There’s something about this particular mulch – doves love to bed in it.

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Three Doves resting on new mulch

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Backyard Fence with Trumpet Vine and Ribbon Grass

I showcased this image a couple years ago but decided to go back and spruce it up with a new Photo Editor. The new editor has a number of image altering advantages.

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Reunion at the Feeder

Luckily I captured these three together.  The Red-Winged Blackbird may actually be a youngster.  There is no RED on its wing.

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Service Road at Jubilee College State Park

This image, shot at dusk, actually shows a bean field up close, and in the distance, a corn field.  The road itself is for use by Park personnel only.  I simply pulled in, stopped and took the shot.  This park is about 14 minutes from Peoria.

Dan O. De Ment

 

Sparrow in the Lattice

This Sparrow is actually waiting for her turn to get back up into the nest.  I had to shoot this through our front window as it was early in the morning and cool outside.

Dan O. De Ment

RED MUMS

These Red Mums were planted by my wife, Jean, a few summers ago – in 2016. We can’t wait to see them this year.

Dan O. De Ment