Ruby Tuesday

How about this fly? I did already post it before, but I sort of like the red eyes.
Click on over to http://workofthepoet.blogspot.com to see what Mary has done with this meme.

Sunday

More signs that the season is changing. The birds are gathering. This evening about 7PM  I was outside, and there were hundreds of swallows flying everywhere.

There are a few Burdocks still blooming.

This cute little Purple Finch has no tail. It doesn't appear to affect her flying though.

Lots of thunder heads formed last night, but they brought us no rain. The creek behind our house is still very low.

Pickerlweed in full bloom. I found this on a ride to Chautauqua Lake this week.

Talk about camouflage, this White tail dragonfly was really hiding.

 Here is Dad House Finch with some of his kids.
Well folks, that is all for this week. We have been working on stacking our wood for this coming winter, and we're almost done. It's been tiring, and lots of sore muscles., but when the wind is howling, and the snow is piled high, it will be all worth it.

The Heat Continues

These shots are so out of order. Don't know what happened. The heat continues, and it is no fun to be out taking pictures. This shot on Lake Erie shows some folks enjoying the water and trying to stay cool.

Lots of Ring-billed Gulls this day too.

Back at home I have 2 solar lights in my flower pots.

I haven't seen ANY Butterflies since this heat wave. All the beautiful Milkweed flowers have died too. I did find this female Ebony Jewelwing Damselfly.

And here is the male.

I don't like this new format I'm offered, and I can't get this picture to move over, but more of the same Lake Erie swimmers. Even the dog is having a good time, although I think the waves are a bit much for that small child.

At home this nest of House Wren eggs has lots of different nesting materials inside.

Finally some calming surf.

Stay cool everybody.

I was fortunate the other day to sneak up on this Belted Kingfisher while he was hunting, and he never saw me. A rare treat!

Also about the same time down on the creek I saw this juvenile Spotted Sandpiper, bobbing up and down as it walked among the stones.

White Clover is everywhere in or yard, where it really attracts the bees.

We have lots of these little white moths( I think it's a moth) .

Another moth was being harassed by more bees.

I surely don't know what happened to this Cardinal, maybe moulting ? Anyway she doesn't look too good.

Another hot and humid one folks. Maybe a break coming later tomorrow. So far no rain either.

Rain, Rain, Go Away!

More photos on a very cloudy damp day
A Meadowhawk Dragonfly. I haven't seen many Dragonflies this summer, and this is a new one for me.
A old stump with lots of growth.

This one is out of order, but this evergreen in our neighbor's yard looks like an early Christmas tree with all the Wild Cucumber growing on it.

Moss on a piece of bark.

There are the Wild Cucumbers in all stages of drying. This one still is intact. With all the rain we've had these are growing all over most of the vegitation.

This one is drier, and has opened up the bottom and released it's seeds. They all look like bells don't you think?

I picked one up to show the seeds. There are 4 compartments and the seeds are the size of a watermelons.

The ever present Earwig.

Cloudy, rain, fog, and just another yucky day. Some sun promised for tomorrow.

Saturday afternoon walk around our property

Toad Lily. These flowers are about 1 1/2" across. A very tiny fluttering thing on the Golden rod.

Butternut squash. We'll have plenty this year. I freeze most of them, and some of these measure 10" long!

Here is a Hubbard squash that we plan to eat for Thanksgiving. I have a much bigger one, but the raccoons have been chewing on it. Only at the rind, so maybe it will be OK.

This Ladybug doesn't have many spots. Wonder where she left them? LOL

Not many pictures today. The reminder of the week-end we'll all get together and finish stacking the wood. My main job is to keep everyone fed.

Have a good and safe rest of the holiday.

Insects and Critters

This was supposed to post Thursday, but for some reason it won't so here is mine for tomorrow.

It was a miserable wet day yesterday. This cute little Chipmunk decided to sit in the rain and take a bath. Washing the inside of his back leg.

Another spot on the back of his right hip.

Don't forget to clean the tail too.

A little area on the front leg needs attention.

Whew, that was a job. How do I look?

Sorry the pictures are a bit fuzzy. I was taking them through a window in the rain.

Do you remember the little yellow fluff ball last Spring? Here he/she is now almost as big as Mom.
This Bee had so much pollen on it's legs it was having a really difficult time flying.

Well, it's that time of the year again. Before you know it, there will be 1000's of these Ladybugs, and they'll all want in the house for the winter. UGH!

Just no privacy.

I have no idea what this is, but it is only 1/4" fuzzy white/blue. I think I remember getting bit by one of these when I was young.

A tiny moth on the ground.

Green Grasshopper.

I think this is a male Springtime Darner dragonfly. It's BIG, and I haven't seen one this close before.

If anyone knows for sure what it is please let me know. I don't have a book on them yet.