May 26, 2024

So last week we saw the baby birds  gradually grow and finally desert the porch for places of their own.  Much too fast for my taste!   Here is the nest in transition.   We also saw the last of the big orange Poppies.  How lovely they were!   One of my favorite plants of the Spring was the Canadian Columbine.   

Here is the Bloody  Cranesbill with a little fly , Merodon equestris, in its center.  (Later: the little fly is actually Then an adult Zelus luridus.   Finally a dragonfly, this one a Common  Whitetail.

Here is a damselfly, this one with iridescent blue-black wings.   Wait a minute.  What is that picture doing in here?   Well,  if you mean the little Raccoon family,  we're now introducing one of the cutest little villains!  Without villains, where would the heroes  be?  This one was taken at almost dead noon.  Imagine the poor little fellow on  the left, as the next one tells him to close ranks.   I think he just needs a potty break!    

Finally - a nice stream of pictures from the Backyard.  I love it!  Back when this blog started, we saw the Celandine Poppies going crazy.  Now here they are blooming again!  and matching colors with the Ranunculi!  Meanwhile the Bloody Cranesbill is STILL going strong.  Remember when I said I saw the usual single BC, and this year it turned out to be a huge onslaught (if that is ok to say about a LOT of posies!)

In the front yard, a pastel fern is making its presence known!  Meanwhile,  Lily of the Valley is popping up  everywhere.   And back to the front yard, this Peony that planted itself last year is budding up big. I'm looking forward  to seeing  it!

Yesterday the big water lily bud took its time, but gradually by late afternoon it was open.  What a winner!  Here you see big bud forming last week, then yesterday!

But today just after noon, Rocky was standing by the Pond.  I couldn't tell if he was eyeing the Flower or the Fishes circling it.  What a pest. I told him off a couple of times and pretty soon he was outta there.  But to where?  Will he be back tonight?  Certainly.  This seems so early - this means I'll have to be expecting him a couple of times a night all summer. 

Also - I don't think we'll have many nights when he doesn't play with the water - so I will have to turn the pump off every evening before I go to bed. Oh well!  So let's see what kind of pictures we have from today and I'll close us off on the bright note that so far, lilies and frogs (the most vulnerable big creatures in our home zoo) are still kicking.  The spiderworts are also delighting us with their simple structures and bright blues!

You know folks, this blog is already late.  Would you mind if I called it a week and a half?  I hope your life is full of beauty and surprises.  Thanks for watching!