Perchance to Dream... /  by Dave Hileman

So, there is a large mural on a wall by the downtown farmers market. I had driven by it before but stopped on a Sunday night to take a photo. Then, my grandson discovered this little sculpture - about 8 inches high, that apparently is the "source" of the mural as his little thought bubbles go on and on. 

Clang /  by Dave Hileman

The Liberty Bell cracked and was recast twice after its arrival from the Whitechapel Foundry in 1752 destined for the Pennsylvania State House. It "likely" rang on 7/8/1776 when the Declaration of Independence was read. It was cracked in the early 1800's but was not really famous until an 1847 poem was published. It is under the care of the National Park Service but it is owned by the city of Philadelphia. 

Number 39 /  by Dave Hileman

Waypoint Church Partners worked with Point Church in Raleigh as they opened their eighth campus and Waypoint our 39th project. It was an excellent opening day with well over 350 people in attendance. 

No Idea How He Got There! /  by Dave Hileman

To me these animals defy laws as the scamper across the face of the rocks here in Glacier National Park. Astonishing. 

"O Lord my God, how great you are! ....High in the mountains live the wild goats....O Lord, what a variety of things you have made! In wisdom you have made them all. The earth is full of your creatures." Passages from Psalm 104 NLT

New Jersey Line /  by Dave Hileman

Erected in 1907 and attended by a large contingent of veterans this was the first monument on the field at Monocacy National Battlefield just outside Frederick, Maryland. These troops held the line while the majority of Union soldiers crossed a railroad trestle and continue to protect Washington against Jubal Earley's attempt to capture the capitol late in the war.   

New Sculptures /  by Dave Hileman

There are two rather large heads out of wire at the NC Museum of Art. They look different in different light. They are the newest additions at the growing outdoor art along the various trails at NCMA.

Pinnacles /  by Dave Hileman

About half way to the top of this trail in the Pinnacles National Park. It is not among the more popular of parks and you get there on a long 1.3 lane road. And it is hot and dry. The rock formations are interesting and the hike on this day was reasonably comfortable. 

BW III Completely Sane, Sure. /  by Dave Hileman

Close out Bird Week III with this Comorrant - the first I have seen in breeding plumage. If any of the birds looked a bit on the unhinged side this week, this one would  be first in line. 

"Haughtiness goes before destruction;
humility precedes honor." Proverbs 18 NLT

BW III Crazy Mad /  by Dave Hileman

This bird was not happy. Not sure what he saw below in the shrubs or if it was just for show but it was screeching loudly. This is a Pacific/Mexican variation of the Eastern Brown-headed Cowbird.

BW III Crazy Color /  by Dave Hileman

At first I thought this was a Scarlet Tanager, who wouldn't, right? But I had an actual world famous (in certain circles) bird wildlife photographer standing next to me who quickly pointed out that is was a Vermilion Flycatcher, seen easily with his black "mask" across his eyes and back of he neck. Beautiful bird. 

BW III Crazy Small /  by Dave Hileman

This is a TINY bird. A Costa Hummingbird is barely one ounce and less than 4" long. The streak from his "cheek" is called a gorget and this extended one is a characteristic of this genus. 

BW III Crazy Cool /  by Dave Hileman

First we have another spelling lesson, this is a Pyrrhuluxia, not to be confused with Tuesday's Phainopepla, which, of course, none of YOU did. This is a cousin to our familiar Cardinal. The "Cardinalis Sinuous" is a bit slimmer, taller crest, obvious color distinction and is not very common even in its habitat. I was thrilled to see this one in the Organ Pipe National Monument. 

BW III: Crazy Hair /  by Dave Hileman

Actually it is not hair but a feathered crest. This bird could also qualify for the "crazy eyes" as the primary color is bright red. Are you ready for the name? Phainopepla. It is about the size of a cardinal but in the flycatcher family. There are white wing patches on the adult but you only see that in flight. This one was hanging out near the Mission from last Thursday's post. 

BW III: Crazy Eyes /  by Dave Hileman

Yesterday I shared a photo of the male Bushtit, today the female Bushtit. Do you notice the distinction? Read the title! The male has a dark eye the female a yellow eye with a tiny dark iris. I was told once that the birders call this "crazy-eye." 

Welcome to Bird Week III, with a twist! /  by Dave Hileman

First, I know I did not give you enough time to take the week off work so you could really study each of these and, of course, the sudden surprise did lesson the anticipation. Yet, this week we are not only featuring birds but these are National Park Birds as well as new to my life-list (actually only a small portion of the 34 new birds added on this trip). See, the excitement mounted so quickly that knowing all this in advance might have been just too much. So we are off with the Bushtit. This little guy was found in the Sand to Snow National Monument in California and also at Joshua Tree National Park. It is a very tiny bird. 

"All of your works will thank you, Lord, and your faithful followers will praise you." Psalm 145:10 NLT