Monthly Archives: May 2025

Laura and Grandma

Photograph taken on Saturday, May 31, 2025 by Henry
Grandma and Laura

Grandma and Laura

Cathy’s niece, Laura, arrived last night and this morning we all went to see her grandma (a.k.a. Cathy’s mom, a.k.a. Margaret). Her face really lit up when she saw Laura, and we had a really nice visit. It was a pretty whirlwind visit, though, and we took Laura directly to the Metro to get down to Union Station to catch her train back to New York in the early afternoon. We worked around the yard for the rest of the day, going inside when it started raining and then coming back out again when it stopped.

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The Pond

Photograph taken on Saturday, May 24, 2025 by Henry
The Pond

The Pond

We went up to Pennsylvania today to spend the day with Dorothy and Jeff. We started out going to King and Saint Cafe in Shippensburg, where we met them. Then Cathy, Dorothy, and I went to or property, where this photo was taken of the pond. After doing a few things there an enjoying the pretty day, we headed into Gettysburg where we met Jeff at a music festival going on at the Gettysburg Recreational Park. Then we walked over to the National Cemetery for a while before heading back to Dorothy’s and then home. It was a busy day, but lovely.

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Birds at McKee-Beshers

Photograph taken on Sunday, May 18, 2025 by Henry
Baltimore Oriole (Icterus galbula)

Baltimore Oriole (Icterus galbula)

Orchard Oriole (Icterus spurius)

Orchard Oriole (Icterus spurius)

Red-winged Blackbird (Agelaius phoeniceus)

Red-winged Blackbird (Agelaius phoeniceus)

Eastern Kingbird (Tyrannus tyrannus)

Eastern Kingbird (Tyrannus tyrannus)

Tree Swallow (Tachycineta bicolor)

Tree Swallow (Tachycineta bicolor)

Red-headed Woodpecker (Melanerpes erythrocephalus)

Red-headed Woodpecker (Melanerpes erythrocephalus)

Prothonotary Warbler (Protonotaria citrea)

Prothonotary Warbler (Protonotaria citrea)

Green Heron (Butorides virescens)

Green Heron (Butorides virescens)

Black-crowned Night Heron (Nycticorax nycticorax)

Black-crowned Night Heron (Nycticorax nycticorax)

After the last two weeks, Cathy and I really needed a break. The trip to the National Arboretum was wonderful but even that was a place with lots of people. Today we went to McKee-Beshers Wildlife Management Area, out River Road.

We didn’t really know what to expect but it turned out to be one of our most fruitful bird outings ever, with thses nine birds photographed and a half dozen more seen and heard. We are big fans of the Merlin app by the Cornell Lab of Ornithology. Having that listen for and identify birds by their song helped us find birds we might not have otherwise seen. I recognized the oreole songs and of course the red-winged blackbird, but I never would have found the red-headed woodpecker or the prothonotary warbler. The night heron was actually at the C&O Canal near Riley’s Lock.

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Family After The Memorial

Photograph taken on Saturday, May 17, 2025 by Henry
Family

Family

Mom’s memorial service was this morning. There were a few technical hitches, such as a tree down and power lines down across the road so getting to the church was difficult for folks coming from that direction. While power had been restored around midnight, the internet connection was still out, so we were not able to life-stream the service for those who could not be there. Also, while we had a microphone and that worked for folks in the room, we were not able to get the audio fed directly into the video camera. Nevertheless, after some creative editing, we got a video with passable audio. You can read mom’s bio and find links to the video and slide show on HartleyFamily.org.

After the service, all the local family and some from out of town came to our house for the rest of the day. Others from out of town drove home the same day, but it was good to see everyone and we’re very thankful for the love and support of our family and friends.

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Vultures On The Church

Photograph taken on Sunday, May 11, 2025 by Henry
Vultures On The Church

Vultures On The Church

Cathy and I were quite late getting to church this morning and when we got there the parking lot was pretty full so we parked in the overflow area in the woods. As we came down the hill to the church we saw these vultures on the roof, enjoying the sunshine. I went back and got my long lens so I could get a few good pictures a bit closer than with the 100mm I have in my camera bag. And yes, I generally have my camera at church because I photograph baptisms and various events of that sort.

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Steve, Dorothy, Jeff, and Judy

Photograph taken on Saturday, May 10, 2025 by Henry
Steve, Dorothy, Jeff, and Judy

Steve, Dorothy, Jeff, and Judy

As you may or may not know, Dorothy and Jeff are engaged. His parents have met Dorothy a few times but Steve and Judy wanted to meet Jeff’s future in-laws. So, they drove up from Raleigh for the weekend. After visiting a little while at our house, we all drove to Great Falls and walked out to the Olmsted Island overlook. I carried my camera, as I usually do, and took a few pictures, including this one of Steve, Dorothy, Jeff, and Judy, which I think turned out nicely.

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Adiantum pedatum (Northern Maidenhair Fern)

Photograph taken on Thursday, May 08, 2025 by Henry
Adiantum pedatum (Northern Maidenhair Fern)

Adiantum pedatum (Northern Maidenhair Fern)

Years ago my dad planted this northern maidenhair fern (Adiantum pedatum) in his back yard. It had to be moved when the got air conditioning in their house and I took a large piece of it to our garden in Gaithersburg. I brought some of that with us when we moved to our current house and recently I divided it into five different pieces that are doing pretty well in various, more or less shady spots in the garden. I’m quite happy with it and plan to divide it again to spread it a bit more.

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National Arboretum Rose Garden

Photograph taken on Wednesday, May 07, 2025 by Henry
Cathy in the National Arboretum Rose Garden

Cathy in the National Arboretum Rose Garden

We decided to take a break from dealing with things and drove to the National Arboretum today. There were a few early roses that were still blooming but this is pretty close to the same date we’ve gone the last two years. Nevertheless, it was a really nice visit and we enjoyed the flowers very much. It wasn’t nearly so crowded as it was earlier in the year when we went on Sunday and the cherry blossoms were in bloom. We had come for the camellias rather than the cherries.

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