THREW Mikes EyEz

Original Writings, Images, Video and Artworks of Mike Hartley

Tag Archives: butterflies


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With joy

The daily prompt asks me – Share a few recent shots from your camera roll, no context needed.

Oh, hell yeah. As an amateur photog being asked to share from your camera roll generates excitement. The trouble with that is I still use a camera and manually download that to my computer. That most recent roll is well over 300 shots. Sorry, after using a camera for over 5 decades I just can’t get used to using that phone to do that function.

The context of these shots will become clear over the next few days as I share more from that batch.

A Monarch butterfly with orange and black wings perched on bright red and yellow flowers, surrounded by green foliage.
Photo by Mike Hartley

I really should get used to using that phone for more photography.

A butterfly perched on vibrant orange marigold flowers in bright sunlight.
Photo by Mike Hartley

There are a lot of advantages to using a phone for photos, but also some disadvantages.

Spanish moss hanging from tree branches against a blue sky.
Photo by Mike Hartley

A quick skim through sites talking about shots taken with conventional cameras is under 10%. Guess I’m showing my age.

A butterfly perched on vibrant orange marigold flowers in bright sunlight.
Photo by Mike Hartley

Maybe as I get older, I’ll get tired of carrying those heavy DSLRs.

A bird perched on top of a wooden post against a clear blue sky, with leaves and dry flowers in the background.
Photo by Mike Hartley


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Observations

Kids like Chocolate Chip pancakes. I like Chocolate Chip pancakes. At least it put a smile on me, and my granddaughters face this morning.

Found what I think is a Painted Lady butterfly.

A butterfly perched on a vibrant yellow flower, surrounded by green foliage.
Not seeing as many butterflies this season. Photo by Mike Hartley

Our son texted us this morning and asked us to watch the baby while he and his better half take their son to the first day of preschool. They get to stay the first hour. We had maybe 2-3 minutes before we were supposed to leave them when I dropped him off that first day.

He’s already felt several first with his son. This will be another one and it’s painful and proud at the same time. More painful those first few times. But then you see them enjoying learning, making new friends and excited to tell you everything they did and made you and it’s wonderful.

It seems so long ago, I go by that school almost every day and I still see myself walking him in holding hands and leaving him for the first time with a teacher. Gut wrenching to let them go but you have to.

Random Thoughts of the Day

  • The number of food recalls is going to prompt this country to go on a diet. I wonder if it’s because they fired all the inspectors.
  • I love the excitement the kids get when I hand them prints of pictures of themselves.
  • When I see leaves falling in August, I yell NO – Get back on that tree.
  • I read about two dead in PA due to measles. First in 35 years. Thank you, very little, government vaccine sceptics. May Karma visit you several fold.


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Float like a butterfly

If I could only be as free floating as a butterfly or blimp. If I could free my mind.

Goodyear blimp flying over a multi-story building against a partly cloudy sky.
Goodyear going up the east coast of Maryland. Photo by Mike Hartley

The slow flight seems so at ease and effortless.

Three butterflies perched on pink flowers in a garden, surrounded by lush green foliage.
Triple the Pleasure. Photo by Mike Hartley

I bet there is a blimp tracker. It was here in Ocean City MD on 7/29.

A Goodyear blimp flying in the sky with blue and yellow colors.
Photo by Mike Hartley

Random Thoughts of the Morning

  • To be free of the Monday dread of reporting to work for someone else. Oh yeah.
  • My shoulders are moving to the music this morning.
  • An early start is always good in my book.
  • The Led Zeppelin song – Nobody’s Fault But Mine just came on the headphones. – A great song but the title says it all. If I don’t apply myself today – it’s nobody’s fault but mine.
  • Activities and appointments abound today. Let’s get to them.


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Wishing

I was butterfly watching as I worked out in the yard yesterday. We are going to do our part and start planting some more wildflowers for them to enjoy. Observing them moving so effortlessly makes me think of my youth and moving with ease.

Photo by Mike Hartley

The mind drove the body like it was more youthful than its actual mileage, but a good night’s rest has restored me to be able return to the battle with mother nature today. I am proud of the progress I made, and this might be the best the place has looked in a good while.

There are two projects I think I’ll get professional help with. Moving a few of the 8×8 10-foot monsters today made me realize I don’t need to be wrestling with lots of them. There is more than enough to keep me busy and challenged.

For that retaining wall project, I’ll play sidewalk super.

Random Thoughts of the Day

  • I’m proud I didn’t run out and waste money on the Powerball drawing.
  • It was nice not watching the news yesterday. I’ll just be double disgusted today.
  • I’m excited with anticipation about pulling the car cover off later this morning, washing it, having the better half in the other seat with the top down and no destination in mind.
  • There is a rack of baby back ribs calling my name from York Road.
  • That heat really fueled some heavy thunderstorms.


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Hang on, climb aboard

Life is tough. Sometimes our wings get damaged along the journey. Don’t give up, keep a strong grip on life.

Pull yourself up and keep taking one step ahead of the previous one.

Flowers by my neighbors, butterflies by nature. Photos by Mike Hartley

I’ve known people who have given up on life. I have occasionally myself. Luckily, I was able to turn those times around.

In some ways this is one of the sweet spots in life. After the difficulty of losing our parents and beginning our own journey into our senior years, we have had the pleasure of seeing more grandchildren. Also watching our own children’s families and careers blossom.

Fortunately, we also have had many family members and friends grow old with us.

Great challenges are ahead though. The inevitable loss of friends and family, those shared memories continued friendships here today, gone tomorrow.

I would love to grow old, but that means absorbing a lot of pain and loss along the way. Maybe even loneliness. I guess that old saying “be careful what you wish for” has some meaning through every stage of life.

Random Thoughts of the Day

  • I’ll be listening to doctors, not the government for my health decisions.
  • Thoughts and prayers for school shootings were never enough. And still aren’t today, or tomorrow.
  • I pick the route I drive now by weighing with one would I encounter less idiots along the way.
  • Great sunrise over the ocean this morning. Wish I was there.


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Good morning

I believe I’ll plant some wildflowers this coming year. I love butterflies.

I might have to go look for a few more shots of these today.

I wonder if I’m quick enough to capture one in flight.

Random Thoughts of the Day

  • When the word reunion starts to appear, you are officially old.
  • It’s funny hope people who recognized cognitive decline in Biden, can’t see bat shit crazy in Trump.
  • If a restaurant wants me to scan a QR code to see the menu. I’ll eat someplace else because I don’t take my cellphone to eat often.
  • Chilly mornings in August are not my cup of tea.


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A fuzzy start

Just like the off-focus of this shot below, I’m a little fuzzy this morning. That late start to the championship game last night and some creative work after that have led to a little bit of sleep deprivation.

Don’t fence me out. Photo by Mike Hartley

I recover quickly from these events, so I’ll be back at full speed by the afternoon.

The car is washed and polished a bit. The engine bay is the next area to be detailed. I’ll spend a few minutes doing that but it’s too nice a day out, not go for a spin. My better half has already expressed interest and I need a snowball, out we go sometime today.

Hopefully, I’ll capture a few images to share later.

Random Thoughts of the Day

  • Clean cars look faster.
  • Just realized my go-cart is 8 years old today. Happy Birthday MX5
  • Grass grows, grass cut. Repeat for the next 8 months.


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Wingtips

No, not the shoes.

Photo by Mike Hartley

This is another reminder of how much I miss summer. And while it’s warming up a bit it’s far away yet. But I intend to get out and do lots of photography this week regardless of the winter season we are still in.


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Turned their backs

These two may have turned their backs on us but let’s not turn our backs on each other. I’m feeling the need to contribute again. I did the food bank earlier this month and I see the reminder emails from the various cancer orgs I’ve supported.

Some are just shy about having their picture taken. Photo by Mike Hartley

I think this coming year I’ll do some of my contributions in person. Without a full-time job, I believe I’ll have the hours to help somewhere. Having the desire to contribute is good, having the time free to do it has always been an issue.

Been an active day already. Grilled out lunch for the better half and granddaughter. Introduced her to roasted marshmallows. That was a hit.

And now she is off to sleep and so am I after a long week.

Random Thoughts of the Day

  • I think today is going to be the last one with the top down on the convertible for a while.
  • The line between very tired and asleep is so razor-thin right now the only thing preventing my head from hitting the keyboard is the hands still typing on it.
  • There are all the languages of the world and then there is Sales Speak.
  • It’s one of those nights where sleep outweighs hunger.