THREW Mikes EyEz

Original Writings, Images, Video and Artworks of Mike Hartley

Tag Archives: turtle


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Feast and fun

My better half and I were invited to a crab feast. So, you do the only thing you can, and you go to the crab feast. On the way there the skies opened up and the winds howled, which made it a difficult drive. The rain stopped when we got to the parking lot at Oregon Ridge Park except for a light drizzle which stopped about 30 minutes later.

The feast began with some fruit and potato salads, fried chicken, pizza for young ones if needed and then CRABS. Beverages abounded and Conrads Crabs delivered some very full and big crabs. It had been a little bit since sitting down to pick crabs for me to be honest. Let me see, that is like a Texan saying they haven’t had any BBQ in a good while.

I’ve had crab dishes but picking crabs is Maryland. I think I’ll get a dozen next week.

A pile of cooked blue crabs seasoned with spices, placed on brown paper, with a blurred background of a dining setting.
I clawed my way through a few of these. Photo by Mike Hartley

And now here we are with a free Sunday ahead except for some chores like mowing the backyard and hill. I’m certainly going out and capture some new images, and I hope to create some sawdust outside, but otherwise, I’ll take it slow and as it comes. The body is reminding me early this day it’s got some mileage on it.

A turtle walking on a pebbled surface.
Heads up, it’s going to be a nice day out if you like it hot. Photo by Mike Hartley

I haven’t seen this fellow in a few months now. Usually, I see him several times a year.

Random Thoughts of the Day

  • Music lifts me up again and again.
  • I need to get back to walking every day.
  • Cut my screentime to 1 hour a day. Next step, 30 minutes. That should cover calls and text.
  • I don’t like pain popping up in new places.
  • Blanche being confirmed at AG is another disaster in the making.
  • Weeding is my least favorite part of yard work.


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Tractionless Tuesday

Yesterday felt so good with the top down and the sun shining. A cool rain is falling today and the cover is on the car. No more car pictures today. I know you’re relieved, I was on a roll there.

Back to some nature that visited my back door this week. This guy is my speed. I was too slow to shoot this beautiful red fox in my backyard earlier today. I’ll have to set up before daylight on the deck in some cover to capture him.

I believe this might be a different one than the one that was out front. Photo by Mike Hartley
I walk the yard now before I mow to make sure they aren’t hiding out. Photo by Mike Hartley

Now if I can stay away from the baseball and basketball that is on and get some work done, I might feel like it was a productive day.

The poor weather is the opportunity to catch up on the organization of my photographs. Both print and digital need work as does my photo site. Much editing awaits along with some trashing. And why not now? It looks like the next 7 days have some sketchy weather forecast, so there is no time like the present.

I might have found another image to add to my Arlington collection.

A headstone I’ve passed at Arlington National Cemetery. Photo by Mike Hartley

Random Thoughts of the Day

  • Another strong start to the week. A nice balance of chores and fun, hobbies and rest.
  • I love having the house to myself once in a while, to blow the dust off the speakers.
  • The photo assignment of the night is to find something interesting in the house to photograph.
  • Bacon & Eggs – Steak and Shrimp – Breakfast and leftovers, again nice start to the day.
  • My wife found a wonderful shot of my dad holding me on his lap. Looks like I might have been 4-5 years old.


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Box on the porch

We got home from lunch yesterday and had a box on our front porch. But this one at our front door was from nature and what a nice gift. Why he was up on the front porch by the door I don’t know. Went back out a few minutes later and he had motored off.

Photos by Mike Hartley

Thanks for the visit buddy. It brightened our day. There are benefits to living next to the woods sometimes.