Day 214: Not Ready to Leave the Nest

On August 3, 2011June 20, 2012 By LindyIn nature, photography

Ok, to try and make a long story short, we’ve “rescued” the baby barn swallows about four times since my previous post. Maybe we should just let nature take its course, but I can’t watch as the babies tumble out of their nest and sit helplessly on our concrete patio, unable to fly. So yesterday evening I made them a nest on the patio with a beach towel, because 4 of the 5 babies were back on the ground. Without Jerod’s help, there was no way I could put them back in their nest.

In an attempt to get the little guys in their new nest, the biggest one took off … toward the pond. I chased after him and watched as he landed right in the middle of the pond – head first. I watched in horror thinking I’d killed this innocent creature, but after many long seconds he started flopping across the water in the opposite direction. He finally made it to a rock just off shore, and I contemplated if I should just leave him be. Then I realized he wouldn’t have a chance without his matured wings or mother. So I walked around the pond and contemplated again what to do. I could use the glove, but if I didn’t get a firm grip he’d jump back in the water. So I reached out and grabbed him in with my bare hand, wrapped him in a small towel, and took him back to my patio and put him in the “nest” with the rest of the birds.

As of this morning, all 4 were still in the new nest, and mama bird had been flying by with pre-digested food for them. They get so excited every time she comes! This photo is much cuter than the one I’d previously taken … so I’m sharing yet another barn swallow photo with you today. And possibly again tomorrow.

Four baby barn swallows chirp and open wide, waiting for mama bird to feed them. They’re resting on my homemade nest since they keep falling out of the real one.

Day 213: Meatless Monday

On August 2, 2011 By LindyIn photography

For the past few months I’ve been partaking in Meatless Mondays, where I go at least one day a week without meat. Although I’m still far from being a vegetarian, I have a hard time with humans raising animals just to slaughter and eat them, especially if they are mistreated. Meatless Mondays has helped me think outside the box in regards to menu options. Not only do I eat more meatless meals, but I more frequently buy beef from local farmers, organic chicken, and free range chicken eggs. Last night we made a delicious new eggplant spaghetti recipe. Below is the recipe from kraftrecipes.com. If you have any easy, meatless meals that you love, feel free to share!

Cooking up the veggies for eggplant spaghetti.

Eggplant Spaghetti with Fresh Mozzarella

What You Need
1 small eggplant (about 3 cups), cut into 1/2-inch pieces
1 medium onion, chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
1/4 cup olive oil
5 plum tomatoes, chopped
1-1/2 cups sliced zucchini
1 Tbsp. balsamic vinegar
3/4 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. pepper
1/2 lb. spaghetti, cooked
1 pkg. (9 oz.) fresh mozzarella cheese balls (we used less and it was plenty)
3 Tbsp. chopped fresh basil (we didn’t use the fresh stuff)

Make It
COOK and stir eggplant, onion and garlic in hot oil in large skillet on medium heat 10 min.
STIR in tomatoes, zucchini, vinegar, salt and pepper; continue cooking 10 min. or until vegetables are tender and sauce is thickened, stirring occasionally. Place in large serving bowl.
ADD hot spaghetti, mozzarella cheese and basil; toss lightly.

Day 212: Hero of the Day

On August 1, 2011June 20, 2012 By LindyIn nature, photography1 Comment

Yesterday morning I went outside to water my flowers, and a few seconds later I was frantically waking Jerod up. One of our baby barn swallows had fallen about 12 feet out of its nest onto our concrete patio. Since it wasn’t moving I was sure it didn’t survive, but when I got closer I saw that he was still breathing. So Jerod very willingly crawled out of bed, grabbed some flip-flops, work gloves, and a step-ladder, and we coaxed the baby into his hands to return it to the nest. It took quite a while to figure out how to pick it up and slide it into the nest without harming it, but a few minutes later the mamma bird was back at the nest, and all the babies were chirping away like nothing happened.

A baby barn swallow being returned to its nest after falling out. (I snapped this picture in a hurry so the focus isn’t quite where I wanted it to be.)

Days 210-211: It’s GO for party

On July 31, 2011 By LindyIn photography

This weekend we went to Topeka to celebrate my nephew’s 8th birthday. We had a “blast” at his space-themed party, with a space cake and decorations, official NASA name badges, space trivia, and lot of fun had by all.

Friday evening I wrapped Spencer's present, with my cat's help of course.

Spencer eagerly waiting to blow out his candles.

Day 209: Laundry Shmaundry

On July 29, 2011 By LindyIn photography

This is my husband doing his all-time favorite chore. Lucky for him, he just had to pose for the photo. I actually did the laundry while he, as usual, worked on homework.

A unique view-point of Jerod doing laundry.

Day 208: Another Miniature

On July 28, 2011 By LindyIn photography

Yesterday I posted a photo of a baby bird, today it’s a baby carrot. This little guy was about a tenth the size of a typical baby carrot. Isn’t it cute? (I know…you’re thinking I’m a little weird. But I am on Day 208. Some days there just isn’t a whole lot going on.)

An itty-bitty baby carrot, so cute that I photographed it and forgot to eat it. I found it in my lunch box this morning.

Day 207: Tweety Bird

On July 27, 2011June 20, 2012 By LindyIn nature, photography

This is the second year we’ve had barn swallows make a nest on top of the dryer vent on our patio. A couple of days ago at least two babies hatched. They’re so tiny – their heads are about half the size of a thimble! Can you see the little wisps of hair on the top of its head? (Those white feathers are part of the nest, not the bird.) Every time we venture onto our patio we’re dive-bombed by the overprotective Mom and Dad.

A baby barn swallow, only a couple days old, silently tries to call out to its mom.

Day 206: Let’s ‘Park’

On July 26, 2011June 20, 2012 By LindyIn night photography, photography, selfportrait

Our apartment complex had our parking lot re-paved yesterday, so I convinced Jerod to play around with some night portraits in the empty parking lot. There was a lot of giggling and a lot of eye-rolling (I’m sure you can guess who was doing what), but I think I ended up with some good photos. I couldn’t decide which type of portrait I liked better, so I’m including two.

Jerod dipping me in the empty parking lot.

Jerod and me spinning in the empty parking lot.

Day 205: If you build it, they will come

On July 25, 2011July 25, 2011 By LindyIn photography

They built it, and we came! This week was the grand opening of a Hy-Vee grocery store about 1/2 mile from where we live. I have to admit, I’ve been anticipating the opening for months now, simply because I’ve been driving about 15 minutes to another Hy-Vee since their prices usually beat the nearby Hen House. The store is HUGE … from a sushi bar, to a nice organic section, to an onsite dietician, to some unusual produce called a jackfruit. Now people will be driving from 15 minutes away to visit this store.

Panorama (4 photos combined) of the new Hy-Vee store in North Kansas City

Days 203-204: A little of this, a little of that, a lot of heat

On July 24, 2011June 20, 2012 By LindyIn architecture, photography

The downtown Y is getting a new roof, so it’s been surrounded with scaffolding the last couple of weeks. No one was working when I took this photo Friday…possibly because of the 103 degree temperatures?? On Saturday we hung out with some friends, and I think the heat was affecting all of us, including their dogs, who were particularly lazy that day. I think we might break the 1936 heat record of 39 days of 90+ degree temps.