How did Founding Fathers celebrate 4th of July? How many 4th of July fireworks explode each year? The trues and myths of the Independence Day.

Cookouts, fireworks, and, of course, a chance to wish Uncle Sam a big "happy birthday"—the 4th of July means summer in full swing across the United States and beyond. Such 4th of July festivities are as old as the United States itself.

So, how DO you train a chipmunk? With the right chipmunk, it is simple. Really! Just follow these steps and tips!

Today is Friday the 13th and many people are being nervous around black cats; afraid of walking under ladders, breaking mirrors, spilling salt, opening umbrella indoors, and anxiously watching the skies for sudden lightning strikes!

Where did our superstitions surrounding this day, known as paraskevidekatriaphobia, came from? Along with why is there such apprehension surrounding the number 13? 

The bluebird is well named, for he wears a coat of the purest, richest, and most gorgeous blue on back, wings, and tail; no North American bird better deserves the name, for no other flashes before our admiring eyes so much brilliant blue. With their gorgeous colors, musical voices and gentle habits, who wouldn’t want to welcome these beauties into the backyard? Attracting bluebirds can take some time and patience. But once you’ve won them over, they’ll bring their special bluebird pizzazz to any yard or garden.

Christmas wasn't an official holiday in America until 1870. The holiday might seem like an ancient tradition steeped in history, but it's much younger than you might think. Christmas didn't became an official federal holiday until June 26, 1870. The holiday mostly got its start in Pagan roots as an excuse for drunken revelry, which wasn't appealing to the strict Christian Puritans. Early in America's birth, some states started recognizing Christmas and a lobby started for a national holiday for Thanksgiving and Christmas to strengthen the nation's unity.

Raccoons are incredibly smart. On the mammal IQ scale, they rank just below the primates, higher than most domestic animals such as cats and dogs. That is probably why this fluffy fellow have almost no fear of men. Of course, it will run away when you get too close, but compare to other backyard animals raccoons are the most impudent for sure. They are also amazingly adaptable and contrary to popular belief have benefited more from the presence of humans than not. Apparently, there are many perks in our backyard.

Skippers differ from the true butterflies in their proportionately larger bodies, smaller wings, and hooked antennae, among many other structural differences, and can be confused with the moths. These smallish butterflies earns their common Skippers name for their jerky, skipping flight as they wing their erratic way from flower to flower. 

I am not going to tell you a big story this time. Instead, I would like to show you the wild life you can find outside after spending only two hours. The amazingly different behavior of animals and birds. You will see a lot, if you just stop and look around and notice something naturally beautiful each day. I am certain you would have a lot different life.

Well, I am not a big fan of The Hunger Games, but I swear that I heard the theme Mockingjay call the other day. 

At the first, I thought that my mind was playing a trick on me, but later that day I heard it several more times again. Filled with curiosity, I started to look for an information about what the Hell Mockingjay is. And guess what? 

.....

My words rained over you, stroking you.
A long time I have loved the sunned mother-of-pearl of your body.
I go so far as to think that you own the universe.
I will bring you happy flowers from the mountains, bluebells,
dark hazels, and rustic baskets of kisses.
I want to do with you what spring does with the cherry trees.

My lovely little Berry. I simply adore her. The reason I gave her that name is that she is cute, sweet, friendly, naïve, and younger than other our-backyard-living chipmunks. She is one tiny chipmunk who sneaked into my kitchen one day and stole few nuts while I was taking pictures of Nutsee. At that time, I was not sure, if it is boy or girl, or if this little creature lives on our property. In the beginning of the spring, my oldest son found Berry’s’ burrow right by our front door. After observing this new chipmunk for a few days, I have realized that it was the tiny thief that I saw last autumn, a bit grown up; and it is a girl. Well, you know… she has no balls! 

Just Matilda and Leon's boots.

The idea to shoot in the natural habitat came to me when I saw how quickly Nutsee adjusted to photoshoots. I pushed my photography experience further by laying on the grass to blend into the surroundings. When I was waiting for Nutsee to come to my photoshoot spot, I had to hide under the blanked, which made me feel like a fool. However, it wasn't Nutsee who came out first, but Matilda. Just a while ago, I have misjudged Matilda of being too suspicions and timid. And I’ve been proved wrong, because soon I’ve realized that I don’t need to hide under the blanket for Matilda to come out. As long as I seat quiet and calm and as long as I had nuts and seeds, she would come close enough to me. She is brave, fast and cute as a button. She will look at ­­­­­­­you, analyze you and after seeing that you mean no harm, she will jump straight into the seed-hunt. 

The next day, I had an idea to shoot the chipmunk next to the toy fire truck. The relatively small size of a truck made an intriguing contrast when placed next to a tiny chipmunk. I did not expect that in a middle of shoot the little chipmunk would try to jump on the truck. 

I have found this Robert Capa’s quote when I was looking in internet for suggestions on how to improve my close up shots and it give me an idea to set 50mm lens and get the chipmunk closer. 

I have to change my tactic of following my prey like a hunter, and point my camera at a single spot and begin to wait with a patience. I spent the entire day laying down on a floor taking shots in the end I got the shot I wanted! …along with the pain in the back and the wrist. 

Do you like to drink a hot tea by the window as much as I do?  How often do you see chipmunks running by it? Before I moved to Virginia, there was a sun shining through our Floridian window with bunch of jumpy squirrels on the backyard. The only long-hoped appearance was the Cuban Knight Anole.  Yes, we have many usual squirrels on our new northern backyard too, but I was more interested in one new little creature that I saw one day. Elusive, jumpy, and watchful chipmunk.  From that moment, it become my photo-pray.

However, I had a problem choosing proper photo settings to use, all because I had no experience dealing with such fast and little creature.