Sunday

These pictures I took last week on the trail that goes along side of French Creek behind our home. I wasn't able to get down there much last Spring because the great amount of rain we had that raised the level of the creek so high the trail was under water a good deal of the Spring and summer. This year just the opposite has happened, and now that our son has gone down there and mowed everything ( bless his heart) , it is once a again beautiful walk. I'm only including shots from the creek trail, and will post some from the other two trails soon. Have a wonderful weekend and Happy Memorial Day to all.

Trail Walk

I took a late afternoon trail walk and had plenty of good subjects.
This Mourning Cloak Butterfly was on the side of a tree. The underside isn't much to look at. I actually almost missed it.

I saw lots of white Violets. Farther up the creek beyond our pathway there is a patch of yellow Violets, but the area is not accessable anymore.

I also found this Green Heron way up the creek hunting fish.

This little Spotted Sandpiper was searching for food too.

Among the white Violets are hundreds of purple ones.

After I got back home I decided to do some weeding in my flower bed. This little toad was there to help. NOT!

It was such a beautiful day. I think Spring is finally here!

I'm sorry I haven't been good at visiting blogs lately. My picture taking stint with the firefighters is over, so maybe I can visit more often. I had a wonderful interesting time, and even learned a thing or two.

Creek Trail

I decided to brave the elements ( mosquitoes),yesterday afternoon and take a walk on the creek trail. I got out the "Off" and headed down the path. I hadn't been there in a while because of the high water, and then those pesky bugs! This little Green Heron didn't see me at first and I watched him for a while as he hunted.

The wild cucumber. It doesn't even look like a cucumber does it..

There is an apple tree on this trail most likely a volunteer, and there aren't very many apples this year due to the late frost we had this spring.

Looking down the trail you can see this apple tree in the middle of the picture.

On a muddy area I found this Anglewing butterfly.

I don't know what these berries are but I like the blue color, and they are all over the trails. I don't think the birds eat them.

This is the Milkweed Tiger Moth larva. I love the colors, and think it looks like little bits of cut up yarn. The moth itself is not very attractive.

I have more shots from the Creek trail, and I'll post them sometime this week-end.

Have a great Thursday all.

More of the Creek Trail

Before we go on our creek trail walk, I just wanted to show a Rose that opened today. It's called Fairy rose, and measures about 1" across. These blossoms are so dainty, and the buds are the size of your pinkie fingernail. OK, now onto the creek trail early yesterday morning. It was really humid, and the mosquitoes can be quite pesky! This little Spotted Sandpiper was bobbing up and down as he searched the creek bank for food.

Can you see me now?

Here we have Canada Thistle.

Tall Meadow Rue grows everywhere and can get to be quite tall. Some nearly 6 ft.

These are Thin leafed Sunflowers. They grow up a steep bank, and I couldn't get any closer.

I finally saw my first Damselfly this season and it's a male Ebony Jewelwing.

There was rain in the forecast while I was down there walking, so I didn't stay too long.

We got some pretty violent rain complete with thunder and lightening around 7PM last night. We got over 1" of rain too.

Today Gary and I will be married 40 years ! Where has the time gone? It seems like yesterday we were headed to Nashville Tennessee on our honeymoon when Gary got burned from an exploding radiator cap on our station wagon, but that's another story....

I think we'll just spend the day relaxing, enjoying our family and watching the Yankees ( hopefully) win the ball game.

A Walk on the Creek Trail

On a early morning Creek trail walk, you can see the bright sun shining on French Creek. The trail here splits around a big Willow tree. Another section of the trail.

Way up the creek, a Mallard duck rests on a gravel bar.

The Forget-Me-Nots are beginning to bloom.

This Mama Kingbird is sitting on her nest way out over the water. She was there last year too, and raised a healthy brood.

The Cow Parsnip is now at least 6 ft. high.

Lots of pink Phlox are blooming too.

A little feather landed on the trail.

I'm not sure what this is, but it is very dainty.

This pond snail was inching along.

Also saw some Tent caterpillars. I looked for their nest, but couldn't find it-yet-.

These Ants were busy, but I'm not sure what they were up to.

It was a cool wet day. Thursday should be better, and will give me time to finish planting the garden.

Yesterday afternoon I managed a walk on the creek trail. It had been under water from that storm we had last week, and then after the water receded it all turned to ice. As I walked along I crunched through about 3" of thick ice. It was interesting to see all the left over frozen water appearing in so many forms.
This was at the base of a tree. Some of the chunks were 5"-6" thick, and this one had started to melt.

Little ice balls just above the water.

I'm not sure what to call these, but they are so cool.

A closer shot.

This old snag had fallen down during the strong winds. Last spring it was home to a family of House Wrens, and was at least 7 ft. high. Oh, how they would scold me when I got too close. I hope they can find a new place to raise their family.

The high water left several gatherings of sticks wedged in some of the saplings.

Another beautiful day. I went out early yesterday morning just after sunrise and took many pictures of the frost. I'll post them tomorrow. P.S. It was 5º at that time. We're predicted temps. in the 40's today and then later turning to snow, with lake effect on the way.Oh joy! Enjoy the day and get out there and take at least one picture.....