Before the rains

We did have a few nice days this past week. I managed a walk on the trails every day. Here are some of what I saw.
A Shelf Fungi growing on an old stump that the Beavers had cut down. Cabbage White Butterfly

This has been such a poor year for Butterflies, but in the past week I've seen so many of these and Common Sulphurs. Here is part of the creek trail. It is covered with lots of leaves from the Willow trees that all fell after the freeze we had last week.. Walking quietly is almost impossible. The leaves are dry and make so much noise. I did scare out 3 deer across the creek, and they were gone before I got the camera ready. I also came upon a deer sleeping in the underbrush. Of course it saw me before I saw it, and was gone in a flash crashing through the bushes and weeds.

Most of the Milkweed has gone to seed too. This pod is just opening.

These seeds are ready for their first flight into the unknown countryside.

A moss covered rock.

Some wild grapes that the birds have missed.

Conglomerate. A Rock with fossil shells. I don't remember where we got this, but it is in one of my flower beds..

It has been raining almost all day. The forecast for the week-end is more of the same! Maybe some relief on Sunday. High winds might be blowing the waves into a flurry at the lake too, which means a good day for beach glass hunting as soon as it is a nice day.

Probably no ball game tomorrow either. Lots of rain predicted for the East coast Saturday and Sunday.

Take care everyone. Be sure to check out my Weekend Reflections post below...

Soggy Tuesday

Good morning. It looks like it will be a soggy day, but that's OK. We found a new vehicle, and will be picking it up this afternoon.
In the past we have collected rocks and fossils. We have some really neat ones, and these are just a few. This one has sea shells embedded in it. I have one similar to this one shaped like an old high heeled shoe, but I couldn't find it.

These next few were brought from the shores of Lake Erie not far from Buffalo, NY. There are some of them along I-90 sticking out of the cutout rock ledges along the interstate. In this area there is a stream running down to the Lake and apparently this is where more of these rocks are. These particular ones came from the Lake itself brought up by a diver that sells them. He found them out in the water near the shore. I don't remember how far he had to dive down to get them. They are all about 12"-14" across and about 3"-4" thick. They seem to be made in layers.

This rock has split probably from water getting in there and freezing.

The Shortcake trail is covered with fallen leaves. Difficult to walk quietly.

Then there is Azrael always my companion on my walks. She's a busy busy girl. The other day she brought me 2 moles, 1 mouse, and a chipmunk.