Reunion Blog 2: Birding, Atlanta Botanical Garden

I decided early on that I would let Neal, Don, Barbara, all do family and relative photos, because I would have such a hard time identifying everyone.  So I look forward very much to Neal's great expertise in that.
But here is a few shots of the morning bird walk around a pond near Emory University, and then the spectacular Atlanta Botanical Gardens which featured floral statuary creations from Alice in Wonderland, and incredible orchids.
I hope you will forgive the extensive flower photography, but in fact, from the days of Donald Macleod and Brevard High School, I have been entranced by flowers.

Susan, Sally, Barbara, Don, Neal

Female Wood Duck

Great Blue Heron, at quite a distance

Neal and Sally Patton, host for Barbara, Susan and I

I hoped to get a closer shot of this Kingfisher, but he wouldn't deign to approach. 

I swear, I think the birds know when I have the long lens with me. 

And on to the Atlanta Botanical Gardens

Barbara's favorite, a Buckeye.

and suddenly with opened wings

An incredible collection of pitcher plants

We came to the conclusion, I hope correctly, that this is a young Black-billed Cuckoo, which is 

uncommon in Georgia, but does migrate through. 

Out-of-order picture from the morning. 

Neal looking for a Red-headed woodpecker for me.  Unsuccessfully. 

Sally and friend

The Cheshire cat

My bride of 52 years.  What a saint.

The little Mermaid, I presume

One final look, with  some artificial Chihuly flowers, as if the garden needed any. 

and again, out of place, but worth it..

L to R. Don, Barbara, Neal, Susan, Sally

Reunion Post 1: Kennesaw Mountain, Braves Game

What a learning experience!  My first Hayes/Tappan reunion, with beloved cousins I've known, and countless others I did not.
We arrived Thursday night, and spent a wonderful time at Athens Pizza.
Friday was birding at Kennesaw Mountain, a battlefield I knew nothing about, and it was so great to hike in that historic park.
Friday night, Neal had tickets to a Braves game at the new stadium, and that was both luxurious entertainment, and great baseball, even though it was an interleague game with the Chicago White Sox.
So what a great first day!

From the parking lot on top of Kennesaw Mountain, looking at Atlanta's skyline, and 

seeing the line, from low left to upper right, Sherman's line of march. 

Stone Mountain.

We visited the site of the "Dead Angle" battle, and quite visable, and very well explained, were the 

dug out positions of the confederates and in plain view, the field that the Union troops, lined up abreast (tactics unchanged since Napoleon's day, perfect targets for the rifle fire and grape shot from the canons. 

Perfect example of the dug out breastworks of the Confederates 

A grave of a unknown soldier, discovered in the 30's.

Sally, on top of Kennesaw Mountain after a short hike up. 

Barbara on the very top. 

One of several Carolina Wrens coming over to investigate. 

A Sulphur butterfly

Sun Trust Park. 

This replaced the Turner Stadium, which is the one I visited 

in 2008 with the Hingham High School Band

("Cy-clo-ra-ma, bam, bam, bam bam bam!"

Jackie Robinson

John Smoltz, Cy Young Award

Greg Maddux  Cy Young award three times. 

Tome Glavine

Warren Spahn

Casey Stengel

Dinner before. 

And the glorious entrance to the field.  

A selfie, My great host Neal

As the night progresses, the field becomes even more beautiful

Both of us being really tired, we left at the end of the 7th inning, score 6-1 Braves.

Never did find out if they hung on to win.