My nature experiences this June have included some underwhelming events. We found and watched a Common Buckeye caterpillar grow and change into a chrysalis. I was looking forward to watching the butterfly emerge, but we happen to be out of town when the butterfly hatched. One of the children found the butterfly in the house and released it outside. At that point I was so concerned with getting it to the wild that I didn't even try to get a picture.
The neighborhood cat, Romulus, is quite regal and I do like aspects about him, but he is a terror to the local wildlife. He has killed countless shrews, which makes me sad, because shrews are not a nuisance creature. Shrews can hunt mice, which makes me like them very much. If Romulus would stick to hunting mice, I would be very happy with him. The other day I found a red breasted gross beak that he, no doubt, had killed. Life is full of conundrums. How can you love both cats and song birds? Can you? Or must you pick one or the other?
We had a family trip to Wisconsin for a few days. I was able to take a memorable walk one morning. It was before 7 o'clock, but well after sunrise. I found some black raspberries. If there is anything that tastes like summer, it is black raspberries! The milkweed and elder bushes are in bloom this time of year, too.
I found an ant fortress yesterday and a very unique jumping spider. I have never seen anything like it before.
A toad and a green tree frog were seen.
My favorite picture this month is one of the raspberry pictures. Honorable mentions are the toad and the pastel lake scene. Do you have a favorite?
Oh, and I don't know if you could tell, but I got a new phone and the new camera has been an improvement for my nature pictures.
I enjoyed seeing ALL your pictures!! When we lived in the midwest (Eastern Iowa along the Mississippi River, and north central IL , the summer storms, as well as the winter ones were quite ferocious at times. Retiring to Northeast AR a year ago, we're tickled to have left the frigid winters behind, but still have some threatening and damaging storms in the summer. There are so many more songbirds, and flowering trees and bushes that bloom all season long. A real treat. Nature truly is amazingly beautiful, especially when you slow down and take the time to see it. I have also been enjoying going through your older posts, and have copied recipes to try!! I really look forward to your blog. A calming inspiration and gentle encouragement...so needed in these times we are facing now. Thank you, God bless you, and know that you are a blessing to me. Have a glorious day!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Karla for leaving a comment. You are so kind! I am blessed to hear how much you feel blessed by what I share here on my blog!
DeleteI love all the photos. They remind me to slow down and notice God's incredible creation. My favorites are the raspberries with the visible sunbeams, and also the cloud pictures. Like the previous commenter, I really enjoy your blog. It is such a blessing to me as well. Hope you have a wonderful 4th of July!
ReplyDelete-Alyssa
Thank you for the comment, Alyssa!
DeleteI love the sun beams in the raspberry pictures, too. I was thinking about cropping the picture to have a more centered subject, but I just couldn't bear to get rid of any of the light rays.
We did have a great Independence Day weekend, as I hope you did, too. We went to a couple fireworks shows and our town parade and festivities. I'd say the day was just the right amount of busy, not too much with time to relax, but not too little and we weren't bored.
I agree with the others - it is hard to choose favorites...they are all nice photos! I think the otters would have to be one favorite (just because I love otters) : ) - and I like the one of the children stacking the stones. Reminds me of playing as a child, and hunting for fun rocks.
ReplyDeleteThank you for the comment, Sunshine Country!
DeleteI love the otters, too. They were so much fun to watch! The way they play with each other is hilarious.
I have another picture of the children stacking stones. Now that I know you like it I will send you the other one. It is a little less about nature and more about the children. Stacking stones takes a lot of patience. My son is better at it than I am. Lol