Be Not Coy

Gather ye rosebuds while ye may, 
Old time is still a-flying : 
And this same flower that smiles to-day 
To-morrow will be dying.

The glorious lamp of heaven, the sun, 
The higher he's a-getting,
The sooner will his race be run, 
And nearer he's to setting.

That age is best which is the first, 
When youth and blood are warmer ; 
But being spent, the worse, and worst 
Times still succeed the former.

Then be not coy, but use your time, 
And while ye may go marry : 
For having lost but once your prime 
You may for ever tarry. 

Robert Herrick

Well, I didn't get back to quilting yet.  Last weekend I traveled to Gatlinburg to see my daughter get married.  This week I have been helping her get moved.  It is a slow process and not yet complete so I will share a few more vacation pictures with you.

Barbara over at Cat Patches has a delightful blog and shares pictures of her travels and cats.  She also has a linky party for Photos.  This week's prompt was for birds so I thought I'd share a love story of sorts and be not coy koi about it.  Hey, it fits with the wedding theme - sorta. 

Nature Garden at the Flamingo

We stayed at the Hilton Resort right behind the Flamingo Hotel and Casino (which is also owned by Hilton).  Between the hotel and pool is a delightful nature preserve.  There is a restaurant you can see the windows above where you can eat and look out over the water and see the koi and birds.

Mallard Duck Couple

There are several species of ducks, flamingos and other birds.  The water is full of some the the largest koi I've ever seen and some albino catfish.

Look at the size of the koi

Some pretty colored koi

Did I mention I really LOVE my new camera!  Look at the water drops for his beak below!

Beautiful Duck

Floral Close-up

I took this one with the macro setting.  Like the bokeh of the fountain pineapple and flamingo head in the center?


Now it was feeding time.  Here are the Australian black swans after enjoying their breakfast.

Australian Black Swans

Bobbing Swans

I walked around for a while and came across the swans again.  They were bobbing their heads up and down in the water feeding.  I was at the wrong angle for the shot but sometimes they would form a heart with their heads and necks.

Where did the other swan go?

Then I looked up from my camera lens and tried to figure out where the other swan was.  It was under the other one.  It took a minute but I figured out what was going on.  Can you?

Black Swan with Attitude

He seems a little pleased with himself doesn't he?  She seemed to have spotted something else to eat while she was being held underwater.  LOL

That's Vegas.  The place where a good time can be had by all - or not.  LOL