Category: Arkansas County

Cook’s Lake

November 14, 2011
A bottomland hardwood tree.

I’ve been to the Potlatch Education Center at Cook’s Lake before to seeing the hummingbirds (see here and here), however, I never went further then its educational center. I recently tagged along with a co-worker who was looking for places to use in a photo shoot. We ended up in Casscoe, which is home to Cook’s Lake. We decided to stop in at the center and ended up passing it to see the boat launch. It was amazing to see the bottomland hardwood trees and scope out more of the land at Cook’s Lake. If its this amazing in the fall, I can’t wait to see it in the spring! Continue reading “Cook’s Lake”

St. Charles

November 10, 2011

St. Charles is a charming small Arkansas County community. It’s also home to  the White River National Wildlife Refuge, one of my favorite places to go to. The town is like taking a walk into the past with its interesting buildings and rich history, which you can get a taste of at its museum in the St. Charles City Hall. Here’s a quick glance:

The unforgettable Civil War memorial in the middle of the road near the St. Charles City Hall.

Continue reading “St. Charles”

Sitting around

November 2, 2011
Northern Mockingbird

I brought my camera outside with me on Halloween night since the birds were making a ruckus that night. I decided I would bother taking a picture if a bird or two landed right in front of me.

European Starling

Well, a Northern Mockingbird did. An European Starling also landed on some telephone wires near me, which I considered was acceptable to photograph as well.

I have to admit, it’s tough identifying the birds, but its also exhilarating when I finally do figure out the names. Of course, I have to get a second opinion on my tentative discovery, but so far I’ve correctly identified the birds.

It’s a …

November 1, 2011

A picture is worth 1,000 words. For me, a picture helps to correctly identify what I see. I have a horrible memory so it helps having something to go back to refresh my mind.

Yesterday, I was sitting on on my back steps when this wasp fell in the leaves beside me. He kept trying to climb up on a leaf which would then tilt over knocking him to the ground.

I spent this evening trying to identify him. I think I have him identified as a red paper wasp (Polistes carolina). I’m still checking to make sure, but what do you think?

My fine china.

October 31, 2011

I bought my first set of fine china in high school at a local antique shop. It was the Marywood pattern (2181) in the Noritake Contemporary Fine China, which has a blue floral band with a platinum trim (see above).

My purchase included a set of four and I immediately fell in love with the pattern. The pattern, which was sold between 1971 and 1996, was already discontinued when I made my purchase. However, I’m still looking at ways to purchase more.

Even if I can’t find more, the pattern is still one of my favorites and its great to now be able to use them in my own home.

Traveling for work

October 29, 2011

The U.S. Postal Service has selected eight local post offices for further study on whether they should be closed or not. I’ve been traveling to each of the public meetings held for community feedback. The last one in my coverage area was held for the Tichnor Post Office and its customers on Thursday night.

It was neat to attend these meetings because, as a non-Arkansas County native, I was able to learn a little more about these rural communities and their residents.

However, the trips weren’t all work. I was just arriving in Tichnor when I caught a glimpse of the above pond through some pine trees. I just had to stop. Later, I even found a rusted truck that I just had to photograph as well. Continue reading “Traveling for work”

Ducks galore

October 28, 2011
a female wood duck.

It’s time for my newspaper annual Duck Edition, which publishes in late November. In honor of the event (which I’m presently working on), here are some pictures of wood ducks that I took during banding season at the White River National Wildlife Refuge on July 29.

Owls

October 26, 2011
the Great Horned Owl

Students examine a barn owl.

My morning started off pretty cool. I photographed these two guys being introduced to a local preschool class who was learning about dark, light and night. The owls belong to a local nature center. 😀