Scenes From Around Home

The hard rain we've had didn't ruin all the leaves yet, but there is more rain and wind on the way for the next two days.

The Pin Oak always has some beautiful leaves.

Our rescue dog Tauqua, and Frosty like to cuddle.

This cold wet Goldfinch sits on a shepherds hook during the heavy rain.

We took a ride yesterday out to the Peninsula on Lake Erie, and this is what you see as you enter Presque isle. 

Back at home not far away, these cows cool off during a warm day.
More rain tomorrow, and cooler days to come.

Macro Monday

On a recent short ride we came upon a herd of really cool beef cattle. So many different colors, but this one really caught my eye.

What a cute face, and she stood there while I got some  pictures.

Click on over to http://lisaschaos.com to see lots more close-ups.
Another cold and rainy day here, BUT sun tomorrow! :~)

Just Stuff

I was finally able to get down to the creek trail one afternoon and found the trail filled with dried mud, and lots of downed branches and small trees. The water has been so high so many times this Spring, we haven't even had time to m0w down there. Anyway this Grackle was thinking about taking a bath, but saw me and took off. Then a Green Heron flew down the creek and landed almost out of site.

I did see some deer feet prints in the mud. A neighbor saw a bear near our property a few days ago, and I'm always looking behind every tree now...

Our son plowing up some of his yard. The granddaughters want to raise pumpkins, LOTS of pumpkins to sell this fall.

On the upper trail this groundhog nibbles 0n some grass.

Our neighbors cow had this calf just before we drove by.

The temperature reached 92 deg. here today. I really don't like the hot weather, but it could always be worse. At least it's not snowing up a blizzard, and besides it dries my clothes in record time.

JUST STUFF

Just more catching up from here and there in the past 2 weeks.
On the creek trail, I surprised a pair of Mallard ducks. Last Sunday all of us went to Kraynack's in Hermitage, Penna. There is a large greenhouse there that is transformed at Christmas, and Easter time with toys, toys, and trees. For Christmas they have about 10-15 "rooms" decorated with all kinds of Christmas trees, and animated figures. This was a player piano with Christmas songs to entertain you as you viewed the trees. In the upcoming weeks I'll be posting lots more of them so stay tuned...

One of the greenhouses is filled with beautiful plants and gifts. Lots of bird houses too.

These are 2 tugs along with several barges dredging sand up from the Lake Erie bottom.

Then we have a large herd of Belted Galloway cattle, better known as the "Oreo cow", a rare breed of cattle originating from Galloway in Southwest Scotland. They are primarily raised for their marbled beef.

This one seemed friendly. I'd like to take her home!

A mama and baby

I also saw this American Coot. A new sighting for me. Actually I've seen them at a distance, but never photographed one before. This one was way out, and kept diving. Difficult to get good pictures.

Another beautiful Fall day. Maybe they cancelled winter... Do ya think?

Take care everyone.

As I sit here typing there is a skunk foraging under my bird feeders looking for sunflower seeds. He also paid us a visit at 3AM and left his " calling card". I don't understand why they have to spray when there is no threat. Anyway I opened up the bathroom window, and sprayed him with Hornet spray. He did leave, but apparently didn't learn his lesson because he's back! I really wouldn't mind if they stayed around because they DO dig for Japanese Beetle grubs, and that is a good thing.
This Sugar Maple leaves are turning. On my morning walk I discovered this Red Eft Newt Salamander on the road. I think he was trying to gather up some warmth from the pavement. Red-spotted Newts are among the most common salamanders in the East. Adults are aquatic and have an olive-green back with scattered red spots and a yellow belly with small black dots. The juvenile terrestrial stage, red eft, is probably the most recognizable stage by most people. Efts are red with black-bordered red spots along each side. Adults are about 4 inches long and the tail is keeled (more pronounced in males). Two features that separate newts from other salamanders are the lack of costal grooves and presence of two longitudinal ridges on top of the head. I put him in the grass so he wouldn't get run over.
In the 30 years we've lived here this is only the 2nd time I've seen these Newts around here, and I think it's because of all the rain this Spring and Summer that has kept the streams and ponds full.

More shots of the Hydrangea trees. The flowers are turning pink now.

Some more mushrooms in the cemetery.

We had to stop for a few minutes while this herd of cows went from the barn out to pasture.

Haw many colors can you count?

The latest Monarch Butterfly is due to emerge Friday, and the girls have named"it" Polka-Dot. Stay tuned for new photos. It's supposed to be a nice day too. That will be good for Polka-Dot, but there aren't many tasty flowers left ...

Watery Wednesday

These gals were enjoying a dip in the "pool" on a beautiful late summer afternoon.
Thanks to 2sweetnsaxy for hosting this meme. Just click on http://waterywednesday.blogspot.com to see more water shots.

Watery Wednesday

On a bright sunny morning these girls stop by the pond for a drink.
Gorgeous day, but getting pretty chilly tonight.
Thanks to 2sweetnsaxy for keeping this meme going. Just click on http://waterywednesday.blogspot.com to see lots more water shots.

Well, here we are at the week-end again. Where does the time go?
I spotted this Fritillary Butterfly on some of the milkweed that is blooming. I'm thinking it is a Great Spangled.

Some of the Chicory is blooming. I love this color.

Some of the Daylillies are beginning to bloom.

We have Spiraea as a hedge, and it is blooming too. Lots of bees love it.

I still have this Rose Breasted Grosbeak hanging around.

Zucchini squash in the making.

Moth Mullien. This is a new flower for me.

We saw this group of cows cooling off near a stream.

Hope you all are having a wonderful week-end. I worked in the yard most of the day, and Gary was in the cool basement building a new railroad station for his layout.

This group of pictures is from the past 3 days. The first one is yet another victim of heavy snow on the roof. There are increasingly more collapses now with recent snow fall. Our granddaughter Becca and her friend Natalie looking for a place to sled ride.

Yesterday morning early it was very foggy.

A flock of about 100 Starlings showed up this morning in the trees out back, but only 3 or 4 came to the feeders. Thank goodness.

We took all of our newspapers to the recycling center this morning and on the way home came through a very heavy snow band. It was sticking on the trees, and really was pretty.

We also drove by this farm, and the owner had just let his cows out for some fresh air. Some of these girls were up to their udders in the deep snow. Some were just standing around and some were trying to run, but the snow was too deep.

If you look over to the far right you will see one cow looking toward the open door. This is where they all came out, and I think she wants back in, but the snow was too much for her. I bet she'll have ice milk tonight. LOL

Here she is again resting. I'm not sure if she ever made it. Apparently the ones looking down from the barn door decided it wasn't such a good idea to go out.

I'm writing this Wednesday evening about 9:45. The sky is clear, and the temperature is -4º. We had 2" of new snow over night bringing our total for this season to 199". I looked up the total on Feb.4th of 2008 and it was 119" I guess we've topped that. Up-date on the temp. 05:00 Thursday temp is -15º!

Have a wonderful day and stay warm.
I don't often get a close-up of Mrs. Cardinal. She's looking good today!.