A-Z Challenge 2021 - Photo Shoot: L - Lions, Lilly

 It's unlikely that I will ever get to see lions in the wild so I have to be content with shots at Newquay Zoo.

When it comes to dogs however I have many from which to chose. One of those always got attention.

Lilly in her bandana

Lilly in the shade

However I don't think we would ever get her to do this - a performance by another Lilly in our village - 

Coming out of her lake was a different matter altogether.

A-Z Challenge 2021 = Photo Shoot: K - Kayak, Ketton

 You will have seen Harry the heron before but not getting ready to step aboard.

The kayak

When I was a boy I lived in the Rutland village of Ketton.

The house where I was born

There was no stone wall then just a grey wooden fence with a gate to the front door and a double gate across the drive.

Elsewhere the village has an church with a Norman arch - 

West door at St Mary's, Ketton

The Railway Inn and the entrance gate to the church

A-Z Challenge 2021 - Photo Shoot: J - Jack, Jigsaw, Jews Ear Fungus

 Jack was a lovely dog but had a bad back, But this did not stop him contorting himself - 

He had a favourite spot on the kitchen floor right where anyone working wanted to be.

He enjoyed swimming in the lake but when his back gave way he had to have a life harness on when he went in.

His ashes were added to the water when he passed over the rainbow bridge. The above collage is how we remembered him.

During the current pandemic jigsaw puzzles have taken up some of our time and one in particular proved difficult with no straight edge pieces to get us started.

Can you count the butterflies included?

If you like such fun you may also like ariculeria judae which I discovered in a local wood. Perhaps you prefer its more common name - 

Jews Ear Fungus

It felt like velvet to the touch on a elderberry bush.

Sunday Stamps - Air Travel ; Great Britain

 We have no intention of travelling by air during the pandemic but the means of flying by my selection this week would not be possible anyway.

From a set covering British aircraft designers - 

Gloster Meteor T Max 7 - 10 June 1997

And celebrating the 50 Anniversary of Passenger Jet Aviation Airlines, the plane that will never be surpassed.

Concorde - 2 May 2002

And just for fun - 

Meccano Constructor Biplane - 18 September 2003

And it's not all hot air just check other means of transport by following the links at Air mail

A-Z Challenge 2021 - Photo Shoot: I - Infinity Bridge

 When a new bridge was proposed across the River Tees at Stockton several designs were proposed for the public to select the one they wanted. One was a massive favourite but we were told that design could not be built. This went up instead.

The Infinity Bridge at Stockton-on Tees

A reflection of the bridge with it in the river is said to make the infinity sign. I've never seen it myself.

The bridge however make interesting shots possible.

In fact you could take all day and finish up with an infinite number of shots.

A-Z 2021 = Photo Shoot - H: Heron

 It's not often that that you get a bird that seems to pose just for you. More often you get one by chance like this one at Lake Orion, Michigan.

It was so well hidden that we nearly didn't see it at all.

However Harry, the heron is the poser and stands for hours at this small lake on my daughter's property.

Waiting for the frogs

In a reflective mood

Harry can wait all day.

A-Z Challenge 2021 - Photo Shoot - G: George, Golf, Geese

 It these days of throw-away culture I still wonder what litter lout abandoned - 

We frequently see geese flying over our village, but they never land.

Just up the road from my daughter's home in Michigan it's a different story.

Strutting by the river on Belle Isle

When it comes to golf I'm spoilt for choice so I will stay at the Homestead on Lake Michigan - the freshwater resort.

My daughter perfecting her driving style

I nearly forgot to add a shot that could have been in 'F' but falls here as well.

Gary tree frog