Catching Up

I have been out walking, but did not get around to posting my photos.  This deer was pointed out by one of the staff, and I have heard that there is a doe and fawn in this area between the "M" and "N" parking lots,

The new wetlands have been watered and the grass is growing.

The blue dasher is a common smaller dragonfly seen in the wetland.

This common whitetail is also often seen.

This is how the grounds crew is keeping those trees watered.

Progress is really seen in the "Post Office" apartment under construction.

I'm Back

They have started planting the 50 trees for 50 years.  As you can see we are experiencing drought and hot weather.  Not the best time to plant trees, I hope they will be watered deeply.

This gray-headed coneflower was blooming amid the bergamot in the meadow.

Though it looks delicate, this monkey flower is blooming despite the dry and hot conditions.

The sprinklers are watering the wetland, which was newly planted.

This blue vervain is blooming in the wetland, though I suspect it was an escapee from our meadow, and appreciates the wetland watering.

Vacation

I will be away from my computer for the next twelve days.  See you in July.

All around

This female black swallowtail was in my garden,.  Was she looking for the fennel?

The bluebird was bringing a big fat caterpillar to feed the babies.

The first brown-eyed Susan appeared in the back meadow.

Mrs. Mallard was seen in the wetland.

Post Office

If you haven't seen it lately you would never recognize the old "Post office".  There's only a small shell left, but a new foundation of the new apartment.

The geo-thermal has been installed.

That's all that is left.

This will be the new driveway.

Flags are everywhere to show where elctric, etc, are underground. 

Peace Valley Grosbeaks

It wasn't the best day as far as the weather went, and it past migration season, but there are always pleasant surprises to be seen "outside".  I was wearing my "think outside" T-shirt purchased some years before at Peace Valley.

My little camera had some difficulty, but here on a feeder are a pair of rose-breasted grosbeaks.

Then someone spotted this baby up in the tree.

And then a second baby!  What a treat to see the whole family.

This is one beautiful bird.  And we were so lucky to see the whole family, the highlight of the day.

Peace Valley

A spur of the moment trip to Peace Valley this morning - I really did not have any expectations that we would see anything exceptional, but it would be nice to get away.

It was overcast and I only has ny back-up camera working.  This is the view from the bird blind.

Here is a nuthatch hanging on the side of one of the feeders.

A mother cardinal is feeding a rather large baby,

This great blue heron was stalking prey in the lake.

You can't tell it from the photo, but these were two very small turtles.

And smaller yet, are these flower flies on the yarrow.