Author Archives: RyanMcGurl

Daffodils

This week I am loving daffodils. I planted several bags for bulbs this winter. I actually didn’t get them in the ground until the week after Christmas. I was afraid it was too late and I had killed them all. But I didn’t and they have been blooming for the last few weeks, and they are BEAUTIFUL!! The pops of yellow sprinkled around the yard look so cheerful. We are still having some cool days, with temps in the 40s or 50s (don’t hate me if you live up North), but I finally feel like spring is here.
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These are some photos I took with instagram.
And here are some great daffodil finds on Etsy.

Daffodils

Wild daffodil - multicolor jersey tunic dress Daffodil Watercolor Painting Daffodil Art Print. Daffodil Painting Daffodil Print Yellow Flower Art Print Flower Painting Flower Decor 11x14 Daffodil card Daffodil Photograph, Floral Art Print, Flower Still Life, Spring Flowers Wall Decor, White, Yellow, Orange
Daffodil Gift Soap - Daffodil Decorative Gift Soap - Vegan Daffodil Pendant, Flower Necklace, Polymer Clay Jewellery, Made To Order, Daffodil Jewellery Daffodil Pattern iPhone Case, Personalized Monogram Printed Image Wood iPhone 5s / 5, iPhone 5C, iPhone 4S, Samsung Galaxy S3 S4 Note 3 np41 Flower photography, daffodil, nature photograph, yellow decor, nature decor, flower photo, yellow art - Friendly Faces
Hand Painted Silk Cotton Fringe Scarf Spring Daffodils Narcissus Flowers Warm 16 X 55 Mother Day Present Daffodil inAField * Floral Photograph * Nature * RoomDecor * Wall Art * Garden * Romantic * Dutch Landscape Daffodil brooch Vintage Daffodil Flower Necklace, Narcissus Art Pendant, Buttercup Jewelry (026)
Daffodil and Yellow Organza Shabby Chic Flower Elastic Headband Cardigan Corgi Notecards | Welsh Corgi Cardigan Corgi Corgi Cards Daffodils Dog Notecards Blank Notecards Set of Notecards Corgi Stationary Crocus Daffodil Painting, Original Oil Painting, 8 x 10", "Crocuses and Miniature Daffodils" by Kim Stenberg, Rich Impressionistic Art Daffodil Flower Stamp Set - Hand Carved Rubber Stamps by Little Stamp Store

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Illustration Friday: Reflection

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I actually made this illustration a few years ago, but I haven’t posted it on this blog yet, so I decided to use it for this week’s “Illustration Friday” for the reflection theme.

I am frequently inspired by nature, and the environment surrounding me, and this was no exception. Although not native to either Virginia or North Carolina, I feel like the loons are an iconic species of the New Hampshire area, where I spent time when I was younger. It was during a trip to a friends camp on a lake in New Hampshire that I came up with this idea.

52 Photos Project: Black and White

The fishing pier in Emerald Isle. I took this back in November, when my parents visited for Thanksgiving, and we spent an afternoon driving along the barrier island of Bogue Banks. For the most part the beach is actually not visible from the road, because of homes and dunes. But there are a few public fishing piers that allow you to walk out over the ocean for several hundred feet, as well as public town beaches and a state park.

In Black and White, and in color. I think I like the Black and White version better. What do you think?

Check out more Black and White photos
 

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Fort Macon, Again

I love the contrast of the photos taken on a sunny day, in the previous post, and here taken on a cloudy day. As much as I’m looking forward to spring, the warm browns of the dunes in winter does have its own beauty.IMG_0057

The weather may not have been ideal, but it was nice to have the beach to ourselves.

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My Sasha and my Panzer, they look so good here, but they were probably jumping all over each other 10 seconds before this photo was taken.

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Just a short hike: 2.75 miles

So far in 2015: 9.6 miles

In case anyone was wondering how I measure my milage, I use my pedometer. I’ve found that 2000 steps per mile is pretty accurate

Fort Macon State Park

In spite of the miserable weather I have managed to get out of the house for a few short hikes. Here are some instagrams from a rare nice day, back in January, that Sasha and I were able to take advantage of and go for a hike at Fort Macon State Park. This is a really pretty park, with a beautiful beach to walk on, only about 15 minutes from our house.IMG_0027

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Miles hiked: 4, Miles hiked in 2015: 6.85

I still have a long ways to go if I’m going to reach 500 by the end of the year. I had really hoped that once February arrived the weather would start getting nicer, but that just has not happened. I’ve spent most of the last 2 weeks hibernating next to the fireplace.

Patsy Pond Nature Trail

My first hike of 2015, on the Patsy Pond Nature Trail, part of the Croatan National Forest and only about 30 minutes from my house.

The trail was easy and well maintained. It could have been better marked though, there are three short trails that cross each other, and the only trail markings were at these junctions. There were also some fire roads that I’d like to explore in the future, but it will wait until after hunting season.

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Really pretty walk through the pine forest. I’ll definitely be back.

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My girl Sasha, I haven’t taken here on any more difficult trails yet, but I think she is going to be a good little hiker.

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Patsy pond, the trail was a big loop, just under 3 miles around this pond and several smaller ones.

IMG_2271Pinecones, from the longleaf pine, almost as big as my foot.

This was a great hike considering I haven’t been too active recently, and short enough that my boots, which I haven’t worn in months, didn’t hurt me.

Miles in 2015: 2.85

I have a goal of hiking  500 miles this year. Thats about 10 miles a week, which doesn’t seem like much, but that means finding time for several shorter hikes, or one long one every week; I’m not counting my daily walks with my dogs. Plus we don’t have much hiking where I live. There is the national forest, but that is pretty swampy in some places, and I won’t get to explore it much until duck hunting ends in next month. There are also nice beaches on the Outer Banks, and some wildlife refuges within driving distance. And in the spring and fall I can go camping in the Blue Ridge Mountains, about 6 hours away.