Wildlife, Wildflowers and a Window

Hello, Hello! Anybody still got me on their list?

2012-01-28T11:32:00.001-05:00

I'm back, at least for this one post right now. I hope to be a little more regular, but I'll probably be a lot more erratic than I was in the past. I just can't seem to find things to post about.

I guess I have two pieces of news, though. The first is that I'm on day 17 of a diet. I decided that it was time to lose all this extra weight that is keeping me from doing the things that I want to do. I could stand to lose 100 pounds, but I'll be happy with less, as long as I keep it off. So far, only weighing myself once a week, I've lost 5.5 pounds. But, I won't bore you with constant updates on how the diet is going.

The second thing that I wanted to share with you is the wonderful sight that I saw out of my rear window this morning. I was puttering around when I noticed that Becky Cat, who loves to sit and watch the birds out of that window, started making that chattering noise that cats make when they are excited. I went over to the window and this is what I saw.

Yes, that's a Snowy Owl, sitting there in my back yard! I knew that they were around. There have been reports of sightings in my area. But, I never expected to see one right here at home. I have heard that the irruption has occurred this year because the Arctic Summer last year was very mild. That lead to an explosion in the population of lemmings. In the chain of events that nature often provides, this meant that adult birds had plenty of food to feed to their nestlings, leading to a larger than normal survival rate.

When the birds fledged, the young birds had to roam farther afield, to find new Winter hunting territories. That's why we, here in New York State, are now being treated with the sight of so many of them. This looks to me like a first year bird, probably a male, which would be in line with the theory.

Just a short while later, I got an email from my neighbor. He had seen the bird also, and sent me this picture.

They are so beautiful, and so large. When I first saw it, I thought it was a dog. Hey, it was early, and I hadn't even had a cup of coffee yet.

So, there we have it, a brief update on my so very unexciting life. I promise, I'll try to get a blog up now and again, and I also promise that I will try my best to get caught up on your blogs in the next few days.

I have a confession to make

2011-11-19T08:28:00.000-05:00

I am not one of those people who just loves the holiday season. Between that, and the short days, I become a grumpy, unpleasant person, who has absolutely no get up and go.

You probably have noticed my lack of posts lately. Primarily, it's because I just can't get my rear in gear to post anything. In fact, I can't even think of things to post. Heck, I can't even get up the energy to visit my blogging friends.

So, I think I'm going to take a formal break. I'll undoubtedly be back after the New Year. I hope that at least some of you will still want to share experiences with me, but, I wouldn't blame you if you just kicked my butt out of the door.

Out of My Rear Window 11-6-11

2011-11-06T15:02:00.001-05:00

It's a beautiful Fall day here. The temperature started out in the 30's, but got up into the 60's. Saturday was gorgeous, too. Nice weather for walking campaign literature, which I have been doing both days. I'm done for this election season, and it's a good thing because my feet fell a little like raw meat.

There is a new gentleman showing up at the feeder lately. This guy is a very handsome six-pointer. He's very skittish, thank goodness.

The turkey ladies were gone all week, but, today they were back in force. They do this every once in a while, and I always worry until I see them again. Tucker, the feral cat, does the same thing, and I worry just as much about him.

And, just to prove that I'm not the only one who likes to look out of my rear window, here's a short video of Becky doing the same. Guess what she's looking at so intently? I'll post the answer tomorrow morning.

Added Monday morning: Becky is watching leaves fall. They are coming down like rain right now and she is absolutely fascinated with them. She spends hours on that chair, just watching.

And, finally, I wanted to pay tribute to the great Jumper, Hickstead, who died today in Verona, Italy, right after completing his round. He collapsed on the course. Cause of death isn't known, but speculation is high that it was a heart attack. Competition was canceled after his death.

Hickstead was one of the great names in show jumping. His partnership with his rider, Eric Lamaze, was one of the most successful in recent history. My heart goes out to Eric, and all of the connections of this wonderful horse. It will be a long time before we see his like again.

What's the Matter Little Squirrels?

2011-11-01T09:17:00.000-04:00

Trick or Treating didn't go so well last night? Sorry for the poor quality of the picture. The sun is at a position in the sky right now where I get these miserable reflections on my rear window.

Off to spend the day delivering campaign literature. I'll catch up on your blogs tonight.

Out of My Rear Window 10-30-11

2011-10-30T11:49:00.000-04:00

The Box Elder tree has now lost almost all of its leaves, and the other trees won't be far behind. Next will be the Linden, and then the Maples. Soon snow will cover the ground. But, not yet, because we missed the great NorEaster that pounded the East Coast yesterday, thank goodness.

There's not much activity at the feeders today. Only the squirrels are out and feeding.

But, last night, the Gentlemen's Club was present and accounted for.

Today is cold and bright. I've a lot of inside chores to catch up on but, if the cats are any indication, it's going to end up being a lazy kind of Sunday.

That is, of course, if I can manage to get any heat in the living room. As you can see, the fancy new cat bed works, but the wrong cat has taken it over as her own, leaving Becky the Register Hog in her usual position, smack on the register. This, in spite of the fact that I have those nice warm heated cat pads all over the house.

Sigh.

Here's hoping that every one of you have a very happy and peaceful Sunday.

VOTE!!!!

2011-10-29T13:08:00.001-04:00

I put my money where my mouth was. A while back I said that we all needed to get more involved in the politics of this country, and try to convince the politicians of this country that we were tired of the "Political party and me first" attitude of most of the politicians out there.

So, I went out and found a candidate who believed the same thing, and I have been supporting him this year in our local elections. It's been quite an education. And, today, I got one of the most discouraging lessons that I could have imagined. I'm checking to make sure, but this is what happened.

We did a literature drop in my candidate's district this morning. We had a list of all of the registered voters, Democrat, Republican, Independent and Blank, in the district and we each took a specific area, and were supposed to hit all of the homes of these voters. What absolutely destroyed me was that, while doing this drop, I found that I was only hitting about 20% of the houses on my assigned streets. What the heck? I really hope that these county rolls are wrong, because I find it so very hard to believe that only 20% of the voters in my area are even bothering to register to vote.

I happen to believe that we should work for change within the system, but, how can we, when there are so few of us who even care enough to participate? It's too late for this year, but, please, register to vote for next year's election, and work hard to convince everyone you know to register, also. I don't care how you vote, but, we, the 99%, have to express our opinion, and voting is the very best way to do that.

Update - I emailed my candidate and asked if this was, indeed, all of the registered voters and the answer I got back was somewhat heartening. The houses that we were dropping literature off at represented those who "sometimes" voted in off-year elections. Those who voted every year were not included, because they vote anyways. Still, he also told me that in off-year elections, only about 30% of the registered voters show up at the polls.

It's at the grass roots level that we can have the most effect. So, remember to look at your candidates and be sure to get out and vote this year for the candidate who best represents your beliefs.

Do I Really Need Words?

2011-10-27T09:48:00.000-04:00

You have to see the incomparable beauty of the Great Smokies to really appreciate it, but I hope that my pictures give you some idea.

Lovely Trails

Almost impossibly clean mountain streams.

A lovely lake surrounded by mountains that take your breath away.

We're so lucky, here in the US, that generations before us have made the effort to preserve the natural wonders that exist in this vast and varied country of ours. I hope that we, and the generations that follow us, remember that this pristine beauty is part of us, and who we are.

Fontana Dam

2011-10-25T10:14:00.000-04:00

The Great Smoky Mountains aren't only the site of great natural beauty, but, also, the site of the tallest dam east of the Rocky Mountains, the Fontana Dam. The dam was built in the early 1940's, in response to the need of the United States for increased electrical power to run all of the manufacturing plants producing war material. Today, it's run by the TVA, the Tennessee Valley Authority. Here is a site where you can learn more about it.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fontana_Dam

We visited it on a bright, sunny day. It is magnificent, and beautiful in its grandeur.

Below the dam, the Little Tennessee River meanders. There is a lovely trail that winds beside it. Unfortunately, we didn't have a chance to walk that trail, because that hike was scheduled on the one day during our stay that it poured rain.

Above the dam, the calm waters of Fontana Lake spread for miles.

I wanted to do the Fontana Dam segment first because it explains why, in so many of my pictures, you will see that there is a band of bare earth between the water and the forest. This band is there because the water behind the dam is, at this time, being "drawn down." This means that water is being released into the river faster than the lake is filling, generating electricity as it is released. This is done every Fall. It serves a dual purpose. It serves to help insure an even flow of electricity, when the rivers further downstream are low in the late Summer and Fall. And, it empties the lake, so that in the late Winter and early Spring, when this area gets much of what is the highest amount of rain anywhere in the United States except for the Northwest Pacific Coast, the lake has room to fill and help prevent the horrible flooding that occurred in this region before the dam was built.

When we were there, the water still had to go down at least as much as it has already been drawn down.

We stayed in the Fontana Village Resort. Why I didn't take any pictures of the resort is beyond me. Maybe because we were hardly ever there. But, it was a lovely place, with wonderful cabins complete with a fully equipped kitchen, all spotlessly clean. Here is a slide show of the cabins. I have no idea how I got this show to happen, but these aren't my pictures, and were taken from the Fontana Village Resort web site. http://www.fontanavillage.com/

You can see, we weren't exactly roughing it.

Fontana Village Resort has an interesting history. It was originally the site of a much more primative village, where many of the workers who built Fontana Dam lived. If you look at this link, on the building of Fontana Dam, you'll see a couple of shots of what the original Fontana Village looked like.
http://www.currentsofchange.net/lessons/lesson_photo.php?cat_id=33&section_id=1&lesson_id=2

So, that is Fontana Dam and the place where we stayed. I'll do another blog posting on the natural beauty of the Great Smoky Mountains.

Out of My Rear Window 10-23-11

2011-10-23T13:51:00.000-04:00

Happy Sunday! I'm back, and ready to go, again. Part of the reason that I was gone for so long was that I was on vacation. I went to visit the Great Smoky Mountains in North Carolina, for the very first time. I had an absolutely wonderful time, and will share the story in at least one blog posting to come. I just got back yesterday, and have a ton of pictures to go through.

The feeders are booming. There are a ton of squirrels visiting, more than I have seen at one time since Spring. This picture isn't so great. I had to, as a matter of fact, retake the Rear Window picture at a later time because of the glare. But, I count eight squirrels there.

The chipmunks are still around, and still actively gathering corn and sunflower seeds. The pictures I took of them are, however, just not publishable. And, I am suddenly inundated with Mourning Doves. I don't know if they migrate, but, if they do, that may be the reason that I have so many around.

And, here, just as a teaser, is one of the pictures I took in the Great Smokies.

I'm looking forward to catching up on all of your blogs. It'll probably take me a couple of days to do so, so bear with me. I have missed you all.

I'll be Back

2011-10-09T20:01:00.002-04:00

In a couple of weeks. No big traumatic thing going on, just getting piled on with "stuff." I'll miss you, and will try to catch your blogs as I can.

Turkey Trot

2011-10-06T09:18:00.000-04:00

I've been meaning to take my camera out when I feed in the morning, to try and catch Mr. Tom's antics. He's getting pretty bold, even though I try to chase him every time I am out there, just so he isn't too easy a target for any poachers who happen to hunt back in the woods. He's a very strange bird.

So, I Bought Becky This New Bed

2011-10-03T08:28:00.000-04:00

It's called a Kuranda bed, and I bought it because it's up on legs. You see, Becky has this bad habit of sleeping, when it's cold, directly on the register. That's good for her, but not so good for my heating bill, because it takes the furnace much longer to keep the room heated. I figured that I'd put the new bed directly over the register. That way, Becky could get heat from it, and there would still be room for the heat to disperse throughout the room.

She didn't seem to understand the concept, at first.

But, Rachael said "No, you silly little thing, THIS is how you do it."

Becky is many things, but, dumb is not one of them. "Ohhhhh," she said, "Now I get it. Very comfortable."

Let's just hope she keeps on thinking that.

Out of My Rear Window 10-2-11

2011-10-02T10:27:00.000-04:00

It's a dull and dreary day, so dark and rainy that I couldn't even get my camera to come into focus. This is the third day like this in a row and my mood is beginning to reflect it. It's going to be another good day for napping, I think.

No one is stirring outside, so I thought I'd post a couple of pictures I took a couple of days ago. Here are two very handsome gentlemen, dining together.

Have a happy and peaceful Sunday.

"Small Victory" by Garnet Rogers

2011-10-01T09:29:00.000-04:00

Today, on my facebook feed, there was a song posted by Garnet Rogers, a Canadian singer who should be better known than he is. It was beautiful, and it made me want to hear my very favorite of his songs "Small Victory" again. This song is a true story about how Garnet, and his wife, Gail, rescued a mare from a low end auction. As he says in the beginning of the clip, it's about pure motivations, those things that we do for no other reason than good. This mare lived out her life with them, and sleeps forever on their property. She rewarded their love with her son, a Thoroughbred colt named "A Fine Romance." This horse, nicknamed "Fred" has gone on to become one of the leading Sporthorse sires in Canada and the US. He has been approved by a couple of Warmblood registries, and his worth is beginning to be recognized there, too. I know that most of you don't follow the horses, like I do, but, I think you'll love the song, the story and the singer.

Here's a picture of "Fred."

This and That - Gina Update

2011-09-30T09:27:00.000-04:00

I have had a lot of deer visiting the feeder lately. These two young bucks are fairly regular customers.

Handsome fellows, but, this little cutie takes the eye, every time. I'm a little worried because it still looks so young. Fingers crossed it makes it through the Winter.

Leon and Rachael are pals. They play together, and, sometimes, they sleep together. Gina and Becky hang out together, play together, and, once in a while, groom each other. But, they are solitary sleepers. Pity, because Leon and Rachael always look so cozy together.

And, here's a picture of Gina, back from the vet. Aside from the shaved head and leg, I think she looks pretty good. She's being her usually sweet self, so far, about taking her meds. Becky, on the other hand, watched the first time, and now runs and hides, as soon as she sees the stuff come out.

Laundry day today. How exciting.

Pretty, Sweet Gina

2011-09-29T13:04:00.001-04:00

is not at home today. She is at the vet's getting a tumor removed, and her teeth cleaned. She's 14, pretty old in the world of cats, and I worry myself sick any time one of my cats has to go under anesthesia, especially the older ones. Fingers crossed that the tumor isn't cancerous.

Talk about timing -- just as I was getting ready to add this picture, I got a call from the vet. Only one tooth pulled, she's awake and will be ready to come home in a few hours. That's a huge stone removed from the pit of my stomach.

Becky has been very clingy today. I think she misses Gina. She'll be glad to see her come home.

Added at 5:15: She's back, looks good. I won't find out for about 10 days if the tumor was cancerous or not, but the vet says that she thinks she got it all.

Almost the Last Hurrah

2011-09-27T08:38:00.001-04:00

Fall is here, in spite of the warm temperatures of the last few days. My little mailbox garden is still going strong, though looking a little the worse for wear these days. I don't know how many minutes I spent pulling grass from between the plants this summer, but it seems that for every one I pulled, two more sprouted up.

But, the dahlias are still as beautiful as ever. I've never pulled the plants in the fall and replanted the bulbs the next year, but the flowers this year are so beautiful, that I just might try it.

The two little Bidens plants I bought grew to enormous size. It's a good, sturdy plant, with tons of bright, cheerful flowers. A repeat purchase, for sure.

Another plant that I really like, at least for the Northern climates, where it doesn't run wild, is Lantana. This was the first plant that flowered in my garden this year, and it is still going strong.

And, then, there is the old, standby, salvia. It's a perennial, but, unlike many, it has a protracted blooming season. Once the first bloom is over, you cut it back to the ground and it grows up again, producing blooms that last the rest of the summer, and into Fall.

I left a couple of hydrangea blooms on the bush, after they started to turn green. Now, they are beautiful in an entirely different way, with their green and rose colors.

Except, that is, for this one late starter, now in full Summer glory, well into fall.

But, the stars of the garden are the Fall flowers. My gardens are kind of sparse, when it comes to these. I'll have to try and fix that next year. But, the Mums are going strong, and will be in full bloom in a few days. In an earlier post, I mentioned that I lacked the intestinal fortitude to cut mine back as much as I should, and, as a result, they are kind of scraggly.

The individual blooms are still perfection, however.

The Tatarian Asters have just started to bloom. This is one of my favorite Fall flowers. I cut it back in July, and, still, it gets majestically tall. It will bloom until the first hard frost. I'll post another picture of it, when it is in full bloom.

For such a sturdy plant, its flowers are dainty and delicate -- a glorious lavender color, with a golden center.

And, at the edges of my lawn, two wild beauties grow. Goldenrod, beautiful and plentiful. There are so many different varieties that I haven't even attempted to figure out which one this is.

And, last, that poisonous beauty, White Snakeroot. This is the plant that used to cause Milk Fever. The cows would eat it, it would poison their milk and people who drank the milk would sicken and even die. Abraham Lincoln lost his Mother to Milk Fever.

Apparently, it doesn't bother that little bug in the first picture.

Soon, the leaves will turn, and the flowers will fade, hiding until Spring, when the whole cycle begins again.

Out of My Rear Window 9-18-11

2011-09-25T09:26:00.000-04:00

It's a quiet day at the feeder. Just after I put the morning brunch out, only Mr. Tom and one lone squirrel were enjoying a meal.

Mr. Tom looks hale and healthy.

It didn't take long for a few other squirrels to show up for the feast.

But, there was trouble in paradise. When I put down the seed, I also saw Tucker, the feral cat, lurking around. I put down some food for him, too, out of sight, on the landing to the back garage door. It didn't take long for one of the squirrels to spot him, sitting there. From his scouting position, on the rock, he kept an eye on things.

Suddenly, everyone broke and ran, the squirrels climbing high into the tree. I can only assume that Tucker was on the move, because I never saw him. This guy decided, once he was safe, to sound the alarm. Look closely, and you will see that his mouth is open. You can hear that sound for quite a distance.

Even Mr. Tom decided that it would be better if he left. Silly turkey, I doubt that Tucker would even attempt to bring down a bird at least three times his size.

It's going to be a lovely day, here. The temperature is supposed to go into the mid-70's and the sun will shine. I hope that your day turns out just as lovely.

I'm Back from Virginia

2011-09-22T10:52:00.001-04:00

I went to Virginia for a few days, to see my Aunt. That's why there have been not new entries from me, and why I have not been visiting your blogs. It was a good, and productive visit, but, painful at the same time. My brilliant Aunt now cannot speak in coherent sentences, using words that are obviously not in context to what she is trying to say. But, she still knew me, and broke into a beautiful smile each time I entered the Nursing Center to visit her.

It's an eight and a half hour drive, straight through, only stopping for gas and nature. I'm getting too old for this, and feel, today, very much like Becky looks in this picture. Just let me at the couch. But, no, it's volunteer day and I will spend the afternoon cleaning out the goat shed, and doing whatever else needs to be done around the place.

I have a feeling that, by tonight, I'll really, really feel like Becky looks.

I'll try very hard to catch up on all of your blogs over the next couple of days.

Out of My Rear Window 9-18-11

2011-09-18T06:31:00.000-04:00

Somehow, it looks like the beginning of Fall, even if everything is still green. The mums, by the corner of the house are beginning to unfurl their yellow flowers. Sigh, I am such a wuss about pruning. The rule with mums is cut back three times by the Fourth of July, and I did that. But, I obviously didn't cut back far enough, because they're still too tall and scraggly. Next year, I have to be brutal, I guess.

Just because, here are a couple of pictures of The Big Guy that I took the other day. All the little guys are really scrambling right now, to get every bit of food safely stowed away for the Winter.

Have a happy Sunday, everyone!

Falling Leaves

2011-09-14T08:38:00.000-04:00

I think a lot about my blogging friends in the South in this year of extreme drought and fire. It was brought to mind even more clearly yesterday, when I looked at my yard, and saw all of the leaves down. These aren't Fall leaves, they are green, but dry, crumpled and deformed. The leaves on the trees look the same. These leave are a product of the moderate drought we experienced this Summer.

That drought was over by August, when the rains finally started. But, the damage had been done, and the results are still manifesting themselves. I think to myself, if the comparatively mild drought we had here can do this, what damage is being done to all of the living things in the severe drought areas, damage that may take months, or years to show itself.

I can't do anything to help, to make this horrible drought go away, or to stop the fires. All I can do is say how sorry I am that all of you good people are going through this, and how much I wish that the rains would come -- nice gentle rains that fall at a steady, but not overwhelming, rate for days. Rains that would sink deep down into the Earth, renewing the soil and refreshing all that it touches. Rains that would fill your lakes and ponds, and put out the fires that have taken so many homes and taken away so much of your way of life.

So much hurt, to so many good people and, all I can say is "I'm sorry."

Shorty's Tale

2011-09-13T10:32:00.000-04:00

So, I sat out again yesterday, bowl full of sunflower seeds in hand. Within minutes of sprinkling some on the ground, Shorty showed up. He didn't bother with the seeds on the ground, he went right for the bowl. Look at those cheeks fill up with seeds.

He always goes in the same direction when he leaves, so, over the course of several trips home, I finally confirmed that he is the one whose system of tunnels is in the front of the house, under my porch. Now that the foliage is dieing down a bit, you can really see the amount of work these little buggers do to create their homes. This is why a lot of people really don't like chipmunks.

Of course, the real trick is that these are just the excavation tunnels. The tunnels he uses have no dirt around them, they're just little holes in the ground. Look closely and you can see him whizzing right by these tunnels in the first picture, and zoning in on his real home tunnels in the second. By the third, he has vanished down the hole.

Something tells me that he's going to be safe, warm, and full of good food, this coming Winter.

My Fifth Cat -- Sort of.

2011-09-12T09:29:00.001-04:00

I have a feral cat that comes around. This is the third cat who has come to dine at my house. The first was Sweetie. She was around for several years, before she disappeared. Next came Mr. Sunshine. This big, yellow Tom actually got quite friendly, but, unfortunately, he ingested some of the crap that people put on their lawns and, by the time my next door neighbor and I found him, and got him to the vet, it was too late.

For a couple of years, there was no furry face waiting for me to put some food out, though I continued to put a little out each night, just in case. Finally, in the Summer of 2009, a half-grown black and white tuxedo cat found the food and started coming, almost every day. I can't tell whether it's a he or a she, but, for some reason, I think of it as a him. He scares me in the Winter, because he doesn't come around for long periods of time, but, then, I'll see his tracks in the snow, or catch a fleeting glimpse of him. I think he can't make it, through the deep snow, and I worry that he will starve, before he can get back to the food.

He's a handsome fellow, but, for some reason, I have never named him. Maybe it's because he's so shy, that I can't get an idea of his personality. I've never been able to get a good picture of him, but, yesterday, I took some time, and went out to the patio, just to sit and watch. I had my camera with me, and I was very glad that I did, because, suddenly, I saw him crossing the lawn. I was hidden by some tall mums, and I don't think he saw me. He sat in the lawn, watching for a while, and I was able to get some good shots of him. Quite the handsome fellow, I think.

Edited to add that Miss Madi, whose adventures can be found at http://downhomeinnc.blogspot.com/ thinks that his name should be Tucker. Seems like a fine name to me, so, from now on, Tucker it is.

Out of My Rear Window 9-10-11

2011-09-10T17:32:00.001-04:00

From the outside, looking at the infamous "rear window."

My blog will be silent tomorrow, along with many other blogs, in remembrance of 9/11 . So, I thought I'd do my rear window post today. And, since it's a different day, I thought I'd give you a different view -- of what it looks like from the other side of the window.

And, yes, this is a new picture, which means, of course, that I have my desk top back, working fine.

The Sun is Out!

2011-09-09T09:49:00.001-04:00

For the first time in several days. It's wonderful how just those few golden rays can improve your mood. I'll have to use this sunny day wisely.

And, I have the whole day in front of me to use. I was called to jury duty by my town, had to report last night for jury selection. If I was chosen, the trial would be today, so I had to keep the day open. I got to the court building last night, along with 20 other people. We sat there, waiting, until the judge came in and told us that the case had been settled out of court, just 15 minutes earlier. He apologized for inconveniencing us, and sent us home. So, now, with no trial to worry about, I have this day to enjoy, any way that I want.

I wonder what the day will bring. Something nice, I'm sure. I'm such a lucky person, to be safe and sound and happy in a world that seems to be increasingly troubled.

Now, if I could just be as serene as these swans whose pictures I took a while ago. Yup, still no desktop, and, so, no new pictures to post.

Of course, word has it that swans aren't nearly as serene as they appear. But, in this instance, I'll just take them at face value.

Sigh, I can be very boring. Added to say that what I have decided to do on my peaceful day is to cut down the black-eyed susans and the sundrops, and to do a couple of loads of wash. What an exciting life I lead.

This can be frustrating

2011-09-08T10:55:00.000-04:00

I love this new laptop, in general. But, like with anything, there is a learning curve and, right now, it's driving me crazy in some ways. I'll get used to it, but it's taking me about twice as long to do anything as it would with my desk top.

One of the funniest things, though, is the reaction of the cats. They are used to seeing me sitting at my desk in the dining room, tapping away at the keys. With this laptop, I'm in the living room, plunked on the sofa. And, all four of them are sitting around me, staring as if they are wondering what the heck I am doing spending so much time sitting there with a funny looking box on my lap.

Let's see what old picture I can find today.

Here's not one, but a whole sequence of Rachael and Leon playing "I'm under the rug and you can't catch me" turned out to be not so true, as you can see.

Computer Woes

2011-09-07T18:08:00.000-04:00

My tabletop computer turned out to be really sick, so it has gone off to the hospital for, hopefully, repair and recovery. Since it has my picture stuff on it, I won't be able to post any blogs with pictures until it comes back home.

My laptop is, hopefully, working fine now, and is all virus protected. So, I will be able, at least, to start visiting your blogs again, to see how you all are doing.

Hmmmm, I wonder if I can go to Picassa and download a picture that I have used before, just to prettify things up a bit?

Ta Da! Success! I took this last Summer, and have always loved it. I think it's worth a repeat performance.

Gaaaaaa!

2011-09-05T09:52:00.000-04:00

The wireless connection for my new computer works perfectly. However, my virus protection (Kaspersky) is supposed to recognize three computers, and I can't get it to recognize my laptop. Plus, I inadvertently activated Password Protection on my desktop computer, trying to get it to recognize the laptop, and now can't figure out how to turn it off. Called Kaspersky support last night and was on the phone for over an hour with them, to no avail. Of course, that could be because they're not even Kaspersky employees, but some contracted firm in, you guessed it, India.

Plus, I bought a backup drive while I was at it. It was chugging along merrily, until it reached 26% copied, sometime last night. Now, all of a sudden, it's telling me that I need to connect the storage device. The darn thing IS connected. It's got a green light on it, and everything. I guess I'm going to have to pay someone to come in and get things straightened out.

I don't handle this type of frustration well, and have an almost insurmountable urge to throw something.

Well, here's some pretty pictures. Maybe it will cheer me up, and at least give you something to look at.

Out of My Rear Window 9-4-11

2011-09-04T11:12:00.000-04:00

It's dark, and quiet, with the threat of thunderstorms and heavy rain this afternoon. But, at least with those storms comes a promise of relief from the heat and humidity that we have suffered through the past couple of days.
The feeder was quiet early this morning, with only a squirrel and a few chipmunks grabbing breakfast.

Gradually, the place livened up, with this Mourning Dove making an appearance.

And, then, the English Sparrows (they're also called House Sparrows) and blackbirds showing up. Oh, and lots and lots of chipmunks.

At least, the cats are awake today, so far.
Rachael

Gina

Becky - with spooky eyes again because, if she's awake, she always has to be looking at Mom.

And, then, there's Leon. Yup, sleeping again. Eat, sleep and, occasionally, run around the house like a crazy thing, that's my Leon's life.

Big excitement this afternoon. My next door neighbor is coming over to help me set up my new laptop and my wireless network. My old tabletop computer is beginning to sputter a bit and I decided that I would just go ahead and get a laptop, so I'm not tied to one spot. Then, when the old computer dies, the laptop will become my main computer.

Have a very happy Sunday.

How We Spent Our Saturday Afternoon

2011-09-03T16:54:00.000-04:00

Subtitled: The Most Boring Video Ever.

Another Visit from the Turkey Ladies

2011-09-02T09:20:00.000-04:00

Looks like blogger has its mojo back, so here is my Turkey Lady post, just a couple of days late. The Ladies, and the new chicks are still together. There are only a couple that I can tell apart these days, because the chicks have gotten just as big as the order birds. One is, of course, the Bearded Lady. She has the same kind of beard that Mr. Tom has. It's not that unusual for some hens to have one. The other is the Bedraggled One. You can see her in this picture, on the left, at the bottom, near the squirrel. I call her that because it looks like her tail is having a bad hair day. It's all messed up and pulled. It looks like, maybe, some critter was trying to get her, got just her tail and left it in this sad state. I'll only be able to tell her until new tail feathers come in.

It didn't take long for Mr. Tom to make the scene, after the girls showed up. He just struts up to them like he is King of the World, Master of the Universe. Who knows, maybe he is. There he is, way off behind the lilacs.

"Well, hellooooo Ladies"

Looks like the Ladies are paying their usual amount of attention to him. Master of the Universe -- indeed!

Horseback Rider Delivers Medicine

2011-08-30T11:11:00.000-04:00

I was going to post about the Turkey Ladies, but, blogger is being a pain and not letting me post pictures, for some reason. Anyone else having the same problem? I can download, but it won't transfer the pictures to the post I'm trying to finish.

So, instead, I'll just post this amazing video on YouTube. This is a flooded Route 103 in Rockingham, Vermont. Sometimes, one horsepower is better than many, many more.

Irene and Lake Ontario

2011-08-29T09:28:00.000-04:00

I knew that the brisk winds blowing directly across Lake Ontario, from North to South would result in some heavy wave action, so I went down to see. I wasn't the only one, the beach was the most crowded I had ever seen it. I wasn't disappointed. There were huge whitecaps, as far as the eye could see.

No one, wisely, was venturing out on the pier.

The waves crashed against the shore.

Sometimes, a wave would hit the shore with such power that it would roll back out towards the water, only to crash against an incoming wave. My camera was too slow to catch the full glory of the sight. This is the closest that I got. That upward spray of water, away from the shore, is the crash of the two waves.

But, still pictures can only capture the sight of these waves. This short video will give you a better idea of the sound and the fury. I love the way the wave rolls along the concrete abutment.

Today, it's sunny and calm. You would, almost, never know that a major storm had just brushed by us. The only sign of anything out of the ordinary is that there have been several of those huge military helicopters going by overhead, from West to East. I wonder if they're going to help out in the parts of the Northeast that are experiencing heavy flooding?

Out of My Rear Window 8-28-11

2011-08-28T11:36:00.000-04:00

We're on the very Western edge of Irene, right now. We're getting wind, with some high gusts, but, no rain. They critters are, in general, hold up, safe and sound. I lost electricity for about five minutes, but, other than that they only storm related "damage" was that I had to go out and refill the bird bath because the wind blew all of the water out of it.

I hope that everyone South of the storm came through all right, and that those that are still experiencing it are staying safe and cozy.

What a Wierd Day!

2011-08-26T10:00:00.000-04:00

That little chipmunk is the only creature, feathered or furred, that I have seen at the feeders all morning. I wonder what is going on? I looked at the trees, don't see any hawk. Maybe something is lurking, just beyond my sight? Ohhhhhh, I've scared myself.

English Sparrows

2011-08-25T08:41:00.000-04:00

There are a lot of English Sparrows at my feeder. You don't see many pictures of them, because they tend to stay on the ground, and blend in with the colors of the dirt and discarded seeds. These guys show up a little better because I had just put down fresh cracked corn. I get a big kick out of the cheeky little things. They come and go in groups, in a swirl of feathers and excitement. Never still long, they form a background for the bigger, more colorful birds that get most of the attention.

This Blue Jay found it necessary to supervise their activities, all the time keeping an eye on that squirrel. After all, squirrels might suddenly turn into carnivores and eat unsuspecting Blue Jays, you know.

The Young Buck

2011-08-24T10:23:00.000-04:00

The two bucks that have hung around together all Summer have, apparently, split up. I call this guy "The Dark One" because his nose, and the outline of his tail has dark hair. The other buck doesn't have this. The antlers look grown in, but they are still covered with peach fuzz. It looks like these two are not the same ones as the fawns I saw a couple of years ago, because this guy has spike antlers. Only one of the two antlers has a branch, so he is probably a young guy. He's also thin, which especially worries me this time of the year. Probably a result of the moderate drought we suffered through all Summer. Now that the rains have come, and things are growing again, I hope he puts on a little weight before Winter.

Ahhhhh, food!

What's that!?

You won't eat me, will you Mr. Squirrel?

Hmmm, the birds eat this, maybe I could eat it too.

Eat up, young fellow. Get fat and healthy and learn to run and hide from us humans. I want to see you back here, after hunting season is over.

Meet the Chipmunks

2011-08-23T09:35:00.000-04:00

My quest to get to know the chipmunks that frequent my back yard is going well. I'm finding out that I can tell some of them apart, so I thought I'd give you an introduction.

This is "Little 'Un." She will come close, but only after she has seen some of the others eating on the patio. I don't have any close pictures of her, because the minute I lift my camera, she runs. She's smaller than the others, quite the dainty little thing, and her coat is paler. Here she's going after some sunflower seeds that I threw into the grass, a little closer to me, but still in her safety zone.

This is "The Big Guy." He's head honcho, boss man, king of the hill. When he wants his sunnies, he chases everyone else away. He is bigger than the other chipmunks, his color is rich and dark, and he just exudes attitude. He was the first chipmunk to figure out that the dish held sunflower seeds. He came, this time, complete with faithful fly sidekick.

And, the is my favorite, "Shorty." I call him that because the very tip of his tail is missing. He's not worried at all about me, and scurries around under my chair and between my feet. But, "The Big Guy" has him cowed. He won't go anywhere near the sunnies, while that one is around. But, as soon as TBG has his pouches full and scurries away to his nest to stockpile his prizes, "Shorty" is there, getting his share. Sometimes, he doesn't get a full load before TBG comes back, but he manages to get quite a few.

There are more chipmunks around, but, these three are the only ones who, so far, have been brave enough to gather food on the patio while I'm out there. Maybe, as time goes by, I'll be able to introduce you to more new friends.

No blog today, sort of.

2011-08-22T15:36:00.001-04:00

I, um, er, got carried away ~~arguing~~ discussing politics. Gets me in some of the same positions as this squirrel.

Out of My Rear Window 8-21-11

2011-08-21T10:03:00.000-04:00

A dark and dreary day. It was supposed to be raining, and it did spit a little earlier, but, not enough to do anything but dampen the grass. The usual denizens of the feeder are around. These two mourning doves made their appearance very early this morning. I wonder if the kids have grown up and flown away? Hope that they all didn't become hawk or fox breakfast.

My begonia basket is shot. I'll have to find something else to hang there. Maybe another bird feeder? Trouble is, I don't really want to kill off another part of my lawn.

I'll leave you with a shot from yesterday. I'm trying, for reasons only those animal crazies among us will understand, to tame the chipmunks. So, almost every day, I try and go out and sit on the patio with a bowl of sunflower seeds. I scatter some around me, and put the bowl down, right in front of me. Judging by this shot, I would say that I'm having some success.

I've discovered that you can actually tell the difference between some of the chipmunks. Some time this week, I'll introduce you to a few.

Have a happy Sunday.

He Missed!

2011-08-20T11:46:00.001-04:00

I was walking past my kitchen door yesterday and glanced out of the window, as I always do. At first, I thought that my memory of the big rock in my side yard was playing tricks with me, but, then, I looked again and saw a very large Red-tailed hawk resting on it. I rushed for my camera and managed to get off one shot before he flew away. Unfortunately, it's not the clearest, since it was shot through two doors, one of which was a screen door.

Just a second after I took this shot, he spread his wings and flew away. What a majestic sight he was, gliding silently along, close to the ground, then rising into the air. Unfortunately, my camera was still in freeze mode, after my first shot, and I couldn't catch it.

I figure he had attempted an attack on some hapless critter at my feeder. But, when I hurried out to check, I saw nothing, and I know that there was nothing in his claws as he flew away, so, this time, he missed. I know he has to eat, but I'm fond of my critters, so I'm glad he missed, this time. Just last week, I found a pile of Mourning Dove feathers near that spot, so he, or one of his raptor cousins, doesn't always miss. It seems to always be the Mourning Doves that get taken. No wonder they have such a high birth rate. They have to, to make up for the predation.

Here's a picture I took, just to show how close this rock is to the feeder area.

Better luck next time, big fella. And, have that better luck someplace else, please?

Aunt Sarah

2011-08-19T09:57:00.001-04:00

Well, really, my Great-Aunt Sarah. Just saying her name makes me smile. She was a frequent summer visitor to our house, when I was very, very young. I remember her as always smiling, always happy. Here she is holding me on her lap, long, long ago. That is the smile that I remember. I just realized that I still have that lawn chair.

Born in Ireland, Aunt Sarah never married. She lived in New York City, in the Bronx, in a wonderful apartment that I saw only once. It seemed so big to me. I wonder if it would still look as big if I saw it today?

She was a successful businesswoman, running a hair salon that featured the "Harper Method." If you have never heard of this method, or Martha Matilda Harper, the woman who invented and franchised it, here is an article that explains who she was, and what she accomplished. Martha Matilda Harper and the Harper Method. She was quite a pioneer, in her time. One of the women who visited Aunt Sarah's salon was Mary Pickford.

But that is not the Aunt Sarah that I remember. I remember the jolly lady who would sit out on the lawn with my Grandmother and spend the entire afternoon doing handcrafts, and chatting. I remember the woman who always had time to sit down and have a tea party with me. And, I remember that she told wonderful stories, though most of them have faded from my mind now. Only the Country Mouse who went to live in the big city remains. I wonder if that was Aunt Sarah, telling stories about herself?

Here are my Grandmother, and Aunt Sarah. Yes, Aunt Sarah could often be that sweet and silly.

That's the house I still live in, in the background. You know, it's funny but when you live in a place for so long, you think it has never changed. But, looking at that picture I see many changes. The garden and the trees are gone. Even the foundation, made of field stone, has changed. It's now concrete block, put in when my Mom and Dad had a cellar dug under that part of the house after WWII, for the princely sum of $300. Only the house remains.

I have a cousin named Sarah, named, of course, after our sweet Aunt. I haven't known her very well for most of our lives, because we have lived so far apart. But, through the wonders of the internet, we are now getting to know each other. We're discovering that, though our lives have taken very different paths, we have a lot in common. And, I'm discovering that there is a lot more of Aunt Sarah than just her name, in my Cousin Sarah. Here's an old picture of us, when we were young. I'm the baby, Sarah is the one in the middle (who does that smile remind you of?), and the beautiful girl on the left is my other cousin, Mary Lou, who also has a very sweet smile.

Now, both of those girls have large families of their own, and are Grandmothers and Great-Aunts. I bet that their Great-nieces and Grand-nephews have just as wonderful memories of them as I do of Aunt Sarah.

Just an Ordinary Day

2011-08-18T11:19:00.000-04:00

The last of my daylilies has started to bloom. I have it recorded as "Betsy" but I can't find any daylily with that name. This is the first time it has bloomed for me, so I think I'll go on a search and see if I can find out if it is "Betsy Something" or "Something Betsy."

The chipmunks are busy, gathering food for the coming winter. I count seven. No wonder the sunflower seeds disappear so quickly.

One little chipmunk, who has his home by my back steps, apparently decided, however, that he needed a snack. He left this little pile of husks behind.

I didn't notice until I downloaded this picture that there were little ants crawling among the husks, looking for scraps. You may have to click on this picture to be able to see them.

And, wonder of wonders, Leon is awake. Though, I think he only woke up when I went out on the porch to take his picture.

I hope that, even if you are having an ordinary day, it is a lovely one.

Wesley Hill Reserve

2011-08-16T08:49:00.000-04:00

After we left the Cummings Nature Center, we decided that we were ready for a little more hiking. I was still smarting a little over a remark that the receptionist at Cummings had made about me not being able to handle difficult trails. I'm fat. But, I do exercise, and I walk or garden most days of the week. I may not be the fastest walker, but, as long as I have my trusty trekking poles and stop and really look at what I'm walking past once in a while, I can usually get along quite well. She may have been right, I just didn't like the way she put it.

Anyway, we went right up the road to the Wesley Hill Reserve, and headed down the trail. What a beautiful woods this is. I have never seen a place where the woods are so thick, yet enough sun gets through that the ground is covered with grass.

The trail lead down to a small pond. This was a totally different kind of pond than the Beaver Pond at Cummings. It was very shallow, and didn't have any of the lily pads that were so prevalent there. You could see fish swimming in the shallows, and, though we didn't do it, I wondered how many people had dabbled their toes in the clear water.

It's surrounded by an open meadow. I could just imagine a pioneer building a cabin in that meadow, near to water and open, level land to grow his crops.

There were different flowers here.
Flat-topped Aster

Common burdock blooms in a very lovely shade of pinkish-purple.

Some with bees.

And, this flower, that I'm hoping for help in identifying. It looks like it's past its blooming prime, but the perfectly round shape of the head that holds lots of individual flowers is quite fascinating.

It was while we were at the pond, however, that I began to notice a very ominous buzzing around me. Soon, I felt a sharp pain between my shoulder blades. I turned around and asked my companion what was there. She quickly brushed off one of those enormous horse flies. Not the greenies, the ones that look like B-52 bombers. Man, their bites hurt! They focused on me, probably because the backpack that I had carried at Cummings, but left behind in the car at Wesley, had left my back wet with sweat. Before we got out of there, I got bit two more times. When I got home, I saw that I had three large welts on my back. But, thankfully, by the next morning, they were gone, with none of the itching involved with the bites of some of the smaller bugs. Still, their bite is not something that I want to experience again.

Still, it was a lovely walk. I'm glad I went, and we plan to go back again, in the Fall, when the migrating birds fill the woods.

Cummings Nature Center

2011-08-15T07:04:00.000-04:00

On Saturday, a friend and I went to Cummings Nature Center. This is a lovely place, South of Rochester. It's associated with the Rochester Museum and Science Center. It was my first time there, and I really enjoyed myself.
We decided to hike to the Beaver Pond. The day was warm, and the sun was shining. On the way to the trail, we walked through the grounds. It's a perfect place for kids.
They have a leapfrog pond, showing the progression from tadpole to frog that kids can play on.

And, the trees have critters sculpted around them.

From there, we passed to the trails, themselves. They are wide, and well kept. The avenue of pines at the beginning is breathtaking.

Once beyond the pines, you enter deciduous woods. It's not old growth, this whole area was farmland, around the turn of the 20th century. But, it's full of lovely open spots, mossy knolls and little streams.

This little stream had fresh critter prints, probably raccoon, beside it.

Ferns were everywhere, and of many different kinds, including
Common, or Rock Polypody

And, Maidenhair Fern

This tree started its life growing on a stump. Over time, the stump rotted, leaving the tree looking like it was growing on stilts, or walking along the forest floor.

It was a lovely walk to the beaver pond, and a nice reward when we got there. There is a little shelter there, where we sat and ate our lunch. There are no beaver in the pond any more. They left in 1996, after eating all of the young alder trees that grew there. The sign said that they moved further up the creek. But, the pond remains, filling in around the edges.

And, occupied by the requisite muskrat house.

The white water lilies were blooming. This one had a bee visiting it.

And, there were sedges everywhere, heavy with ripening seed pods.

We saw kingfishers, and hawks, but the only critter I managed to photograph was this little leopard frog, sitting among the sedge.

And, everywhere, there were the flowers of late summer.
Joe Pye Weed(one of my favorites)

Boneset

Jewelweed

Turtlehead

White Snakeroot

And, these two, that I had to struggle to identify. I am pretty sure that this is Indian Tobacco, a member of the Lobelia family.

And, this, I think, is Great Blue Lobelia. I was standing on a bridge, and it was quite far away. I was going back and forth between Great Blue Lobelia and Spiked Lobelia, but I decided to go with Great Blue because Newcomb's says that grows in wet areas, while the Spiked grows in meadows, and I was definitely looking at a wet area here.

This is a lovely resource for Western New York and we were very much surprised at how few people were there. When we got there, there was only one other car, and we met only one family on our walk in. There were a few others by the time we left, but I would think that with a place this beautiful, and a gorgeous day, there would have been many more people there. After all, who can resist sights like this.

After we left there, we went to a place just down the road called the Wesley Hill Reserve. However, this is getting long, so I'll save that story for tomorrow.

Out of My Rear Window 8-14-11

2011-08-14T11:19:00.000-04:00

It's a very quiet day at the feeders. When I first got up, there wasn't much going on at all. Then, just after I came in from putting out food, I noticed activity in my front yard. Out of my front window, this is what I saw.

It didn't take them long to find their way to the back. First a couple joined the usual mad rush of squirrels that occurs whenever the food goes out.

Some weren't so brave, and stood around surveying the situation.

But, eventually got brave and joined the feast.

Many never did get brave enough, and stayed in the side yard.

It didn't make any difference, though. By the time they left the yard, there wasn't a thing left under the feeder. I'll give it some time, and then go out and put more feed down. They're beautiful birds, but, in this number, a real pain in the neck. They're big eaters, and even bigger poopers. Not to mention that the fact that they're back means that the young are flying, and that's a sign of Fall.

Have a happy Sunday, everyone.

The Playgirl

2011-08-13T06:53:00.000-04:00

No, no, not that kind. Becky, my little cat who never grew up. The cats got a new toy this week. So far, it's been pretty much ignored, sigh. But, last night, Becky decided that she was going to give it a try.

Do I attack it from the top?

Or, maybe from the side?

Oh wait! I got the itchies.

Try again.

This is boring, I like my old toy better.

Oops, I missed. Don't put that picture in. (Becky has a mean Mom who decided to use it anyways.)

The other cats? Oh, they did their thing.
Leon slept.

Rachael watched.

And, Gina sulked in the bathroom because she was, after all, the one who went to the vet today (just routine) and the blog should have been about her.

What's That Old Saying?

2011-08-12T09:37:00.000-04:00

A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush. Maybe, maybe not. When I'm sitting outside, some of the birds will come to the feeder, even though I'm close. Some, however, are too shy, and sit in the lilac bush at the end of the stone wall. They wait patiently until I leave. I decided to see, yesterday, if I could get pictures of them, as they waited. If you enlarge the pictures, you'll see them waiting there.

This little guy, however, has no problem coming to the feeder when I'm outside.

No luck, yet, getting him to take seed from my hand. I think he figures "why risk it when I can get one right from the feeder?"

No Rain Yet Today

2011-08-10T10:25:00.001-04:00

Just a few views of the Turkey Ladies, enjoying the sun and strolling around the yard.

Peek-a-boo

It's supposed to rain again this afternoon, so I have to get myself out and do some grocery shopping. I'll check in on all of your blogs when I get back.

Edited at 3 PM to say that the rain did start coming down at about 2 PM, and has been coming down quite steadily ever since. I've sent an email to the young man next door who mows my lawn, asking him to do the mowing this weekend. It will be the first time in weeks that the whole lawn will need mowing.

Just a Rainy Old Day

2011-08-09T09:55:00.001-04:00

And, I couldn't be happier. The scattered showers that the weatherman predicted have turned into a steady rain that has been coming down for over an hour. My dry and parched yard is just soaking it right up.

I didn't get out to feed the birds and critters before the rain started but, it doesn't much matter. The only denizens of the yard in sight are this chipmunk, tucked in right beneath the bird feeder and the stump,

and Mr. Tom, patiently waiting it out under some bushes at the side of the yard.

But, I had better plan on getting out there, as soon as the rain lessens, because I'm guessing that there will be a stampede of critters, wanting their delayed breakfast.

Out of My Rear Window 8-7-11

2011-08-07T10:37:00.001-04:00

It's not all that hot, but the humidity is sky high. The weatherman says that it's going to be a very uncomfortable day. So, I'll stay inside and watch the world through my window.

As you can see, the Turkey Ladies dined early. They managed to behave themselves fairly well, and the sprinkler running off to the side didn't seem to bother them at all.

Mr. Tom dined alone, later. He sure is a magnificent bird.

A young Cardinal and a Goldfinch shared a table for a while, but, after the Goldfinch left, the youngster got a little indignant that I was acting like a paparazzi. This year's batch of young Cardinals seems to be a lot bolder than their parents and grandparents. It will be interesting to see if they remain so as they mature.

One of the Blue Jays stopped by to supervise mealtime.

After a leisurely meal, Mr. Tom strolled off.

The House Finches showed up for a quick bite.

While another young Cardinal kept a leary eye on me.

Meanwhile, the Mammalian population was busy below. Little Chippy managed to gather quite a full pouchful of sunflower seeds.

And, a pair of Grey Squirrels peacefully snacked on some themselves.

I hope that you all have as enjoyable a Sunday as the critters at my feeder seem to be having.

Mourning Dove, and, a Culprit Caught

2011-08-06T11:58:00.001-04:00

My garage is old. My Grandfather and my Dad built it back in the day, for a Model A Ford. These days, I have to be careful about what kind of vehicle I buy. It can't be too long, or it won't fit in the garage.

Anyways, sturdy as it is, it's sagging a little in the middle. This means that, try as they did, the guys who put the gutters up a couple of years ago, couldn't get them to drain completely. That sag in the middle stops the water from flowing every time.

This Mourning Dove, in spite of having three separate spots in my yard whereshe can get nice, fresh water, always seems to prefer the yucky old stuff that pools in the gutters.

After her drink, she took a leisurely stroll up to the ridgepole, to enjoy a little bit of sun.

Those of you who guessed that a chipmunk was the one leaving the neat pile of pine cone husks on the stone wall were correct. Here's the culprit in the act.

He has his little cheeks full of pine seeds (are those and pine nuts the same thing, I wonder?)

Those Cute, Sweet and Cuddly Little Chipmunks

2011-08-05T08:04:00.001-04:00

When they aren't trying to kill each other over a bowl of sunflower seeds, that is.

Just Hangin' Out

2011-08-04T11:59:00.000-04:00

A leisurely stroll through my back yard.

La di da. Just meandering along. Of course, Mr. Tom has to see if he can get any action.

Bye till next time

He's a Handsome Dude

2011-08-03T13:03:00.002-04:00

But, does he always have to look so angry?

Turkeys!

2011-08-02T11:23:00.000-04:00

The Turkey Ladies have been around again. I was glad to see, today, that the bearded lady is still among them. I hadn't seen her in a while, and was getting worried.

Mr. Tom is around, too. I can't believe he's still trying. Sorry for the poor quality of the pictures. He was pretty far away, and I couldn't get around the reflection in the window.

I get the biggest kick out of these guys. One thing that you can't see from the pictures is that, with the young ones added to the mix, there is a bit of jockeying for position going on. I wish turkeys realized how funny they look when they are acting like mini-velociraptors. I'm trying to get a video, but haven't managed a good one yet.

Out of My Rear Window 7-31-11

2011-07-31T09:36:00.000-04:00

I don't know what kind of day it's going to be. When I first got up, it was sunny, but, now, clouds seem to be taking over the sky. I do know it's as humid as all get out. The temperature is only 74, but, I was soaked within a few minutes of going outside.

Remember all that work I did, knocking down the Chicory? Stubborn flower insisted on blooming close to the ground.

But, at that, I guess it's better than my neighbor's place. They didn't do a thing.

It's a nuisance, but, I have to admit it's a pretty flower.

The Black-eyed Susans are at the peak of their bloom

And, one of my new daylilies, Alexia Kathrine, bloomed today. Weird flower, but, it tickles my fancy,

A couple of the Turkey Ladies came to visit.

And the early diners were out in force. English Sparrow, House Finch and the posterior view of an unidentifiable guest.

This little character cracked me up. Not only is she having a bad hair day, but, she looks like she's getting more than her fair share at the feeders.

And, last but not least, the requisite, they're too cute to leave out, squirrel picture.

I hope that your Sunday is peaceful and happy.

Uh Oh! I Think I Got Him Mad!

2011-07-30T16:10:00.000-04:00

Just a Few Late July Flowers

2011-07-30T10:27:00.000-04:00

Alaskan Spring

Bittersweet Honey

Butterfly Bush

A wayward Columbine that decided to bloom, long after its time.

Pure and Simple continues to stun with gorgeous bloom after gorgeous bloom on sturdy scapes. It's definitely become one of my favorites.

Yesterday's rain refreshed everything. Today, it's warm and sunny again, but things seem to have an added glow. Enjoy your day.

More, Just Stuff

2011-07-29T10:21:00.000-04:00

This ain't no turkey.

You lookin' at me?

Becky's idea of comfort sure isn't mine. Please excuse the eerie eyes, she always has to look at her Mom when I'm taking pictures.

How turkeys take a (dust) bath.

We are getting a gentle rain this morning. It's a blessing because we have been in a moderate drought. This is the first time in I don't know how long that I have actually seen road spray.

Just look at how brown and crisp that grass is. Well, except at the very bottom where I have been watering the flowers.

Pine Cone Husks

2011-07-28T09:26:00.001-04:00

Well, at least they're eating something besides the sunflower seeds and corn that I put out.

Such a neat little pile. The question is whether this is the work of a squirrel or a chipmunk.

Odds and Ends

2011-07-27T13:04:00.000-04:00

Just a few random pictures, none of them enough to make a whole blog about.
Turkey Lady and Squirrel

I finally got you, Mr. Crow

The family. It must have been the time of day and the location of the sun, because I've never caught that weird reflection before, but it was on every single picture. I wasn't going to include it, but then I figured, meh, the Turkey Family hasn't had their space in quite a while.

And, lastly, this little daylily. I don't know its name, but I know that it's a survivor. It's planted in a container that doesn't drain very well. In a normal year, that doesn't prove to be a problem. But, we had an extremely wet Spring. I never gave it a thought until one day, well into the wet weather, I noticed that there was about an inch of standing water on top of the soil. I dumped it, and kept an eye on it after that, but it looked like it was too late. For a long time, that little plant stood still, not growing at all. I was thinking about digging it up, but the little bit that was above the surface was green and healthy.

So, I let it be, and, one day, late in Spring, I noticed that it was finally growing. I thought "Good, I'll just let it grow this year, even if it is too late for it to produce flowers. Maybe it will regain enough health to bloom next year." Then, a few weeks ago, unbelievably, it sent up a scape. And, yesterday, that little daylily bloomed. Oh, the scape only has two buds on it, and the little flower isn't perfect. But, how can you not admire a plant that persists through the terrible odds that this one had.

May we all have the perseverance to survive through tough times that this little one has.

Government of the People, by the People, for the People.

2011-07-26T10:04:00.003-04:00

I've been dithering all morning about whether or not to write this. It's a great departure from the tone of my usual blogging. I may offend some of you, and, for that, I'm sorry. But, it is my honest opinion that it is time for the citizens of this United States to take a stand and take our government back.

A new feeling is sweeping the country. We are beginning to wake up and realize that we are being manipulated by members of both parties. That politicians don't work for the people any more, they work for themselves, and for the corporate interests that finance their elections. If nothing else, the speeches we listened to last night proved that. It's all about agenda, agenda, agenda, on both sides. We don't need sides, especially at this critical time in our nation's history. We need people willing to work together, to give and take, to solve the problems that we all face.

There was a new movement started today. Those of you with facebook can find it here.

https://www.facebook.com/EnoughIsEnoughMarch?sk=wall#!/EnoughIsEnoughMarch?sk=info

There is a website here:
http://www.coffeepartyusa.com/EnoughMarch

What is being proposed, as a beginning, is a PEACEFUL march on Washington. Date and time have not been established yet, but the purpose is to try and make those inside the Beltway more aware of what the average American citizen is feeling and thinking about how this country is being run.

All I'm asking is that you take the time to read and come to your own conclusion. If you like the idea, pass it on, in any way that you can.

I'm going. Heck, I've done this before, though never in Washington. I even threw a tomato at Gov. Nelson A. Rockefeller once. Ran like hell after I did it, I was so scared. Wouldn't do that again. I can't run fast enough now. But I can stand shoulder to shoulder with my fellow Americans and let the political machines in Washington know that we're waking up and realize what's happening.

So, what good does it do for one blogger to spread the word to all 85 of her followers? Well, maybe not much. But, maybe, if enough old ladies who normally blog about things like flowers, squirrels and Turkey Ladies, take a stand, and say their piece, we will make a difference.

I'm a Boomer. I lived through the '60's and participated in some of the momentous events of that era, though I was, by no means, an important player, just one of many. Vietnam, Civil Rights, Women's Rights, we tackled them all. So, light up the fire that used to burn in your belly and take another stand. This time, it's for us, and our children and grandchildren.

Pokeberry

2011-07-25T11:11:00.000-04:00

OK, it's a weed. But I happen to think it's a very attractive weed, and I have been letting it grow, where it isn't in the way. Besides, birds love the berries. The plant can grow very large. These are about six feet tall. Look at those bright red stems.

It started flowering a while ago. In the middle of the little white flowers, you can see the berry beginning to form.

As the flowers fade, the berries become larger. Eventually these green berries will turn deep purple.

I must caution you that all parts of these plants, including the berries, are toxic to mammels. That said, poke used to be harvested when it was very young, washed and soaked thoroughly three times, and made into "poke salit." I don't think you could get me to eat it, though. There's too much stuff out there that you can eat, without risk of death.

The berries can be made into a dye, and the juice used as ink. One of the most interesting modern uses for the berries seems to be as a dye that coats a new kind of solar panel cell, greatly increasing its efficiency.

So, I'll let my poke grow, and enjoy it for what it is, a weed that can be useful, in many ways.

Out of My Rear Window 7-24-11

2011-07-24T10:47:00.000-04:00

It rained last night!!!!! And, today, it's only 72 degrees, with a cool breeze blowing. Heaven!

As usual, the squirrels and chipmunks are hanging out, especially after I put out the morning feed.

Honest to gosh, I could probably devote a whole blog to these two types of critters. Which are cuter
Squirrels?

Or Chipmunks?

I vote tie!
The birds were breakfasting, too. This group caught an early meal, before they were off on their Sunday doings.

Mrs. Cardinal made a brief appearance, looking for hubby, perhaps, since she looks a little angry?

The Mourning Dove, in contrast, was a picture of sweet serenity.

Even Mr. and Mrs. Goldfinch were dining, together this week, so they must have made up the differences that lead to dining at separate tables a couple of weeks ago.

I've been holding out, waiting for the Turkey Ladies to make an appearance, but they haven't deigned to appear this morning. They must be brunching somewhere else. If they do come around, I'll put up a later blog about them. In the meantime, have a wonderful, and hopefully cooler, Sunday.

I think I was wrong

2011-07-22T22:22:00.001-04:00

I think that this fox is a gray fox. Here's the picture I took, again.

And, here's a file picture I found of a couple of gray foxes.

All the red on the one in my yard was fooling me into thinking this was a variation on a red fox, but, looking a this picture and a few others, I think we're looking at a gray. What do you think?

I sent a copy of the photo to the New York State conservation magazine "The Conservationist." Let's see if they answer.

A New Visitor

2011-07-22T07:17:00.000-04:00

These pictures are not good, and I promise I will keep trying to get better ones, but, I thought you'd like to see the newest visitor to my yard.

The woods behind my house used to be home to both red foxes, like this guy, and the rarer grey fox. Unfortunately, about 10 years ago, a pack of coyotes moved in, and took over the territory. Soon, all of the foxes were gone. The coyote decimated the small animal population, and, a few years ago, moved on. Slowly, the rabbits have been coming back. And, of course, we know that the squirrel and chipmunk population is booming, thanks, probably, to me.

Last year, I caught a couple of glimpses of a red fox, but only for a couple of weeks, and then he was gone. This year, about a month ago, this guy started showing up. I have my fingers crossed that he, or she, will stick around. It's hard to get a good picture of him, because he is here, then, he is gone. Last night was the first time that I was able to get my camera, switch it on, and get a couple of quick shots, before he left. He makes me smile, the way he just bops along.

Watch out, little rodents, you have a predator among you.

You See, I do Have Other Flowers

2011-07-21T09:04:00.001-04:00

Not many, I'll admit, but, enough to keep from being labeled totally obsessed. I'm not a great gardener. If a plant requires coddling, it's not for me. So, most of the stuff in my gardens are plant 'em and forget 'em types.
Lantana - I tried a new color this year and, though I love the brightness of it, it doesn't seem to be growing as well as it has in the past.

Bidens Ferulifolia. New this year, and grows like a crazy thing.

Salvia. The first mad bloom faded and I cut it back. It then comes back with a second bloom, smaller and a little more civilized.

Black-eyed Susan. Just beginning to bloom. One of the flowers that lets me know that high Summer is, indeed, here. Though, today, I didn't need any reminder. I went out at 7 AM to turn the sprinklers on in some areas that are in shade in the morning, and take a few pictures. I was, literally, dripping wet from sweat by the time I got back in. I give those of you who live in the South a lot of credit. I just can't take this stuff.

Because I can't resist it, a couple of new daylilies.
Nova Lavender

An unknown. This is one of the first that I bought, and I didn't bother keeping track of the name. But, I've always loved its fierce red color, and I love that it blooms so late and is till going strong after most of the other daylilies are gone.

And, finally, something that is not a flower. I had to laugh, yesterday, when TexWisgirl posted some pictures of crows, because I had been trying all day to get some pictures of the crows around here. I threw some bread down, hoping to attract them. The crows here are very shy, and, every time I went to the window, they'd see me and fly away. I finally got a couple of mediocre shots when they landed in the big pine tree behind the stone wall in my back yard. I've always had a soft spot in my heart for these big, noisy and kind of rude birds. They remind me of teen-aged boys, all bluster and bravado, yet endearingly awkward.

It's going to be brutally hot around here today, and in a large part of the nation. We have a very good chance of tying or beating the record high for the day. I'm staying in, and staying quiet and hydrated. I hope that all of you fighting this stuff take good care of yourselves, too. Put your feet up, and relax. But, most of all, have a great day.

My Gina

2011-07-20T09:03:00.000-04:00

She's 14, now, and has always been my "good" cat. She never causes any trouble, never starts fights with the other cats, though she will finish one if picked on. She's not a lap cat, but likes to be near me, especially when I don't feel 100%, like this morning. Don't worry, nothing serious, just a lousy night's sleep that has left me moving very slowly. She always senses things like this, and comforts me with her presence.

This is one of her favorite "near me" spots, on the ~~messy~~ little table by my computer. I couldn't decide whether I liked the picture taken without the flash or with it, so you got both.

Mid-July Flowers, Part II

2011-07-19T09:44:00.001-04:00

This may be it for a couple of days. The heat and humidity that has been plaguing the major part of the country is scheduled to make it here for a chance to torture some new people. I melt in this kind of stuff, so I will probably be staying inside and vegging for a while. But, in the meantime, more flowers.
These are two that I just bought last week.
Cajun Sunshine. I think that the flower is a little curled due to the stress of being transplanted. On several of the daylilies that I just bought, the buds have dried up and fallen off. That's OK, as long as the roots take.

Golden Tentacles. No stress here. This was my "expensive" plant, just because I couldn't resist it. What a knockout. Please excuse the chubby hand on the top, I was trying to shade the flower to get a better picture.

Ruffled Dude is from last year.

As is Taos, another WOW flower. Not only is it beautiful, but it's huge, at least six inches wide.

Exotic Love. The first several flowers were deformed, but, now they seem to be correct.

Another polytepal, so it probably is By Myself.

John Morton. My "expensive" one from last year. I like it, but am just a bit disappointed.

See what I mean about this one looking like fireworks when it's in full bloom?

Frans Hals. A very old cultivar, but still very pretty, I think.

Siloam Peony Display. This is the only double I have that bloomed this year. I do have another but it didn't put up any scapes this year. If it doesn't do anything next year, it's outa here.

Touched by Midas and Fireworks put on a show together.

Spiritual Corridor continues to dazzle with its profusion of blooms.

While Royal Heritage does some dazzling of its own.

And, say goodbye for the year to Chicago Picotee Pride. This was the first to bloom at the end of June, and, today, its last blossom is on display. But, don't worry, I still have two more that haven't started to bloom yet.

Hmmm, this is getting kind of long. I do grow a few other flowers, and was going to put them up, too. But, maybe, I'll wait and put them in another post. It'll give me something to blog about tomorrow or the next day, while I'm hibernating inside.

Out of My Rear Window 7-17-11

2011-07-17T10:09:00.001-04:00

It's a beautiful Morning, bright and sunny, but, it's going to get hot and humid later on. We're in a moderate drought right now, and I had to break down last week and get the sprinklers out. Before that, I had been hand watering, just the gardens, but, I was beginning to think that the trees might need a drink or two, also. So, that nice green grass would be beginning to parch, I think, if I hadn't started watering.
Summer clouds dapple the sky.

I was a little late getting the food out this morning, and this squirrel was waiting impatiently.

Oh heck! I'll get it myself!

Oh, please, give us our breakfast soon!

After I fed, the Breakfast Club congregated quickly.

The little begger brought his relatives. Six? Really? No wonder my yard is full of holes.

The birds were quick to arrive, too. This young Cardinal was having a little difficulty figuring out the feeder. He was more interested in seeing what was going on around him.

Is this the blackbird seat?

Three for one, Red-bellied Woodpecker, Cardinal and Chickadee.

I don't deal with heat and humidity well, so I'll probably stick close to home today. Maybe I'll read, maybe I'll nap, maybe I'll do some housework (nah, probably not.) Whatever your day is like, I hope it's enjoyable, in every way.

Thousand Acre Swamp Wildflower Walk

2011-07-16T18:44:00.001-04:00

What a great time I had on this walk. Our two hour walk stretched into two and a half hours, and we still didn't cover all that we had wanted to. Our group was small, only six of us to start, and two had to leave half way through, and then there were the two guides. I have this bad habit of getting so interested in what people are saying that I forget to take pictures, but I did get some, mostly of plants that I had seen, but had not identified. They're not very glamorous, but, here they are.
Enchanter's Nightshade, not a member of the Nightshade family, but named for a potion that a mythical enchantress made from it.

Clammy Ground-Cherry, the leaves really do feel cool and damp to the touch.

Indian Hemp. This was supposed to be a picture of a dragonfly, but my camera focused on the plant behind the dragonfly. Oh well.

Self-Heal, or Heal-All. Very common. You might even have some growing in your yard.

Wild Ginger, not the plant in the foreground with the jagged leaves, but the round leaved plant in the background.

Our old friend Swamp Milkweed

And, this plant, which our guides felt could be Bulb-bearing Water Hemlock. Unfortunately, we saw it near the end of the hike, and we were already over time, so they didn't take the time to check it with Newcomb's. I took these pictures, and posted them on the Swamp's facebook page, so, hopefully, they'll be able to do a positive identification.

So there we are, two and a half hours of enjoyment, walking along with people who were as interested as I am in plants and animals. We certainly didn't see anything rare or endangered, but, it is, I think, just as much fun to put names to the common, everyday plants that we see, but really don't look at, every day.

Breakfast at the Feeder

2011-07-16T09:10:00.000-04:00

Just a few quick shots I got this morning right after I put food out.
The squirrels were there, of course.

Posing for his monument.

House Finch

Titmouse

Backside view of a chickadee.

It didn't take long for this chipmunk to get those pouches filled.

I'm off for a guided wildflower walk at the Thousand Acre Swamp. No need to worry about that hobo when I'm with a group. I'll check your blogs when I get back, and, hopefully, have some good pictures to put up later today.

Cottage Garden Daylily Farm

2011-07-15T06:53:00.000-04:00

Oh, what a day I had yesterday. I went on a trip to Cottage Garden Daylily Farm, http://daylily.net/gardens/cottagegardens/ to buy some new daylilies. I had never been there before, and when I got there, I was pretty overwhelmed. It's big, and it's beautiful. The gentleman who owns this place is very nice, and very knowledgeable. He knows, I think, just where each one of his 3,000 cultivars are. They do ship, in the US, and I would recommend this place very highly.

In the main garden, there are lovely little places all around, where you can sit and rest for a bit, in the shade.
That included a lovely little pond, where bullfrogs were croaking and singing.

The daylilies were gorgeous, so many, all so beautiful that it was hard to pick just a few.

But, in the end, I managed to narrow it down to only seven, and here they are. These aren't my pictures. I got so excited looking that I forgot to take pictures of the ones I chose.
Cajun Sunshine

Dancing Crab

Alexa Kathryn

Golden Tentacles

Among My Souvenirs

Forty-Second Street

Hot Town

I spent the late afternoon and early evening planting them. Some have buds that will blossom this year, and some are done blooming, so I'll have to wait to see them until next year. It was a very busy day and I went to bed tired, but very happy.

The Turkey Ladies

2011-07-14T07:14:00.000-04:00

I don't think that we have a different flock suddenly visiting the feeder. I think that one of my Turkey Ladies is a Mom, and that the kids have joined the flock. They were all up at the feeder this morning, and I got a chance to observe them for a while. It's kind of hard to tell from these pictures, but, three of them are just slightly smaller than the others. And, the flock behavior is the same, with Mr. Tom still "trying," the old fool. And, you can see from the pictures that his tail isn't straight. Hmmm, I think I'm going to have to start putting out more corn. These pictures aren't up to par. The window was open on the bottom and the cat was watching intently from the chair in front of it, so I couldn't get as close as I normally do, and the camera caught some glare from the glass. Heaven forbid I chase the cat, though.

Chicory

2011-07-13T14:56:00.000-04:00

My front yard is full of chicory.

I'm not one to put chemicals on the lawn, but, normally, it stays green enough around here that they get mowed down on a regular basis. This year, however, we're in a moderate drought, and the grass is not growing. My front yard was brown, except where the chicory was growing. It doesn't mind dry weather. I have an electric weedeater, and the cord doesn't reach out there. So, since Sunday, I have been going out every day with this little golf club thing, that has a sharp edge, and whacking it down by hand. I finished today! I don't think the lawn looks that much better, but, at least I don't have ugly stalks sticking up all over.

Just as a contrast, here's my front lawn. These pictures were taken after I got through wacking the chicory.

And, here's my back lawn, that's in the shade most of the day.

What a difference a few trees can make.

Mid-July Flowers

2011-07-12T11:03:00.000-04:00

Hope you don't get sick of them.
The coneflowers are in full bloom now.

Along with a Lupine that decided to bloom late.

The Paul's Glory Hosta was new last year, and, for once, I planted it in a good spot. It's just booming. I love this Hosta. The leaves start out a couple of pale green colors, but the more sun they get, the more they turn golden.

And, the Hydrangeas continue to wow me. They have so many lovely flowers this year.

But, of course, for me it's the Daylilies. This little garden is planted entirely with new
Daylilies from last year. And, one little Hosta that was fading away in my shade garden. I hollowed out the tree stump that was there, filled it with dirt, and planted the Hosta there. I wondered if it would grow, but, so far, so good.

And, the new Daylilies that bloomed in the past couple of days.
I bought this one before I was really into them, and, of course, didn't keep track of the name. It's one of my favorites, though, with its deep colored eye.

This Touched by Midas is different. Most Daylily flowers have three sepals and three petals. This one has five of each. It's a gigantic bloom, probably because of this, and really catches your eye. If I was a hybridizer, I'd probably be trying to propagate this, to see if I could eventually get a double. As it is, I'll just enjoy it.

South Seas - One of my favorites. And, it's easy to grow, with lots of buds, too.

This unknown white is very pretty, but it drives me nuts because its scape is very long and thin, so it usually falls over before the flowering cycle is over. I suppose I could stake it, but that kind of spoils it for me.

Alaskan Spring - It surprised me by being on such a short scape, but, I guess that means it definitely won't fall over.

And, lastly, Spiritual Corridor putting on a nice little show.

I Thought I'd Forgotten How to Count

2011-07-11T16:53:00.001-04:00

For the past couple of years, the Turkey Ladies have graced my yard with their presence. There are five of them, four plain girls and one with a beard (which statistically is correct, about 20 percent of hens have a small beard.) Today I was going about my business, looked out the window and thought to myself "How nice, there are the Turkey Ladies, way out in the very back yard."

Then, I did a double take, because there weren't five Ladies, there were more. You have to look closely at this picture, but, there are eight, and only one has a little beard.

There are three to the left in a group, one kind of cut off at the margin, three in the middle, and two on the right. So, are these my Turkey Ladies, with, maybe, some poults from this year? Or, is this a new group that just happened upon my yard?

Later on in the day, some of them were up at the feeders, this time with a Tom. But, again, is it my Mr. Tom, or a new guy, with his own harem.

It'll be fun to see, in the coming days, if I can determine if the Ladies had babies, or if this is a new group.

Becky at the Vet's

2011-07-11T11:44:00.001-04:00

Little Miss Becky went for her annual vet visit today. The news isn't the best. At 12 years old, she's developed a slight heart murmur and needs to have some teeth pulled. Vet won't do the cleaning and pulling until she has an ultrasound done to determine what is wrong with the heart, and that's a trip to a specialist. Good news is that it can be put off a couple of months, because, with a broken down washing machine, a big vet bill for both Rachael and Gina and a toilet replacement in the last month, things are a little tight right now.

But, she's my Heart Cat, and we'll do what we must to take care of her.

Out of My Rear Window 7-10-11

2011-07-10T10:28:00.002-04:00

Up early again, to clouds, much to my surprise. Mr. Tom and the Ladies were dining early.

But, it didn't take long for the squirrels and this adorable little chipmunk to follow suit.

Mr. and Mrs Goldfinch were dining, also, but at separate tables.

And, then, he snuck off to the bar for a drink. This doesn't bode well.

There's one new daylily in the garden this morning, and, it's a doozy, Emerald Enchantment.

Just look at that bright emerald eye.

Strutter's Ball is putting on a real show.

In fact, that whole little garden is doing the same, just overflowing with color.

The white coneflower is blooming. There's a story behind this. A friend asked if I wanted any coneflowers, since she had to thin out. I said sure, and she brought me a box full, early in the Spring of 2010. When they started to bloom, I noticed that one of them was white. Surprised, I called her to thank her for it, and she was very surprised. "I don't have any white coneflowers," she said. We figure it might be a mutant, and I think that she's just a bit disappointed that it ended up in my garden. This year, it appears to be multiplying, and I think that, next year, I'll surprise her by giving her back a plant or two of it.

A couple of hours passed, the clouds disappeared, and it is a bright and beautiful day. I'm going to enjoy it, and I hope that you enjoy your day, also.

More July Flowers

2011-07-09T09:30:00.001-04:00

It's downright exciting to go out each morning, now, and see what has started to bloom. The coneflowers are coming on.

The hydrangea blooms are so big this year that they are dragging the bushes down. I'm going to have to cut a few, I think, just to lighten things up. Then, the problem becomes finding a place where the cats can't get at them.

And, the Daylilies, oh, the Daylilies!
I don't know the name of this one. It's another given to me by a friend, years ago. But, I call it the Fireworks daylily, because it's a very prolific bloomer and, at it's peak, all of these little red flowers look like fireworks going off.

Kwanso is blooming. This bright orange double is grows like wildfire. I'm at the stage now where I'm constantly just yanking fans out because they are getting too close to my other daylilies. But, I hate to get rid of it, because it's such a pretty thing.

And, the bright yellow daylily, that a blogger friend says might be Touched by Midas, is going full blast. It just lifts my heart to look at these sunny blooms.

Spiritual Corridor was new last year, also, but it bloomed prolifically then. This year, it's even more prolific. I would recommend this one for anyone new to daylilies because it's just so easy.

Here's one of the new ones I got last year -- Royal Heritage. I took this picture yesterday, and I was out so early, that it hadn't opened fully, yet. It later spread into a huge blossom, and I'm very pleased with it.

Surprisingly Pink is another new one.

And, two deep reds bloomed at the same time.
Baltimore Oriole was new last year, and bloomed then, too. This is the first bloom from this year and it's a little flawed. But, I just love this big, deep red flower.

And, this one kind of knocks my sock off. The color is deep and rich, and it has a velvety texture to it, hence the name, Chris' Velvet Red.

Ahhh, Summer. I hate the heat, but I sure love the flowers.

Breakfast Time

2011-07-08T10:37:00.000-04:00

I was up with the sun today and glad of it. It's going to be too nice a day to not get out there and enjoy it. So, the critters got fed early. But, they were right there waiting for me.
The squirrels were there before I was even back in the house.

Mr. Blue Jay kept watch, though, he doesn't look too happy about it.

A young cardinal wondered if it was safe to hit the ground. Hmm, in the picture it doesn't look too much like a cardinal, but, seeing it live, there was no doubt.

And, one of the Turkey Ladies, dropped by for a snack. She didn't stay too long though, just ate a bit and wandered off. I suspect that this time of the year, there are lots of good things in the woods, and, the lumbering is over, so they don't have to worry about human invasions any more.

Time to follow the critter's examples, and get out and enjoy the day. I hope that you enjoy yours, too.

How About

2011-07-07T11:51:00.001-04:00

Wildlife, Wildflowers and a Window

for a title?

And, just to give you something to look at, here's a new visitor to the feeder. I see plenty of grey squirrels, but, very rarely do I see a red squirrel. So, I was pleasantly surprised to look out of the window today and see this guy. They're smaller, shyer and not nearly as aggressive as their larger kin. But, cute? Well, I think so.

Help Me Think Up a New Title for My Blog

2011-07-06T18:27:00.000-04:00

Living Retired in Western New York State doesn't really describe what this blog is all about any more. Sharon, on Life with Jack and Jill inspired me to get off my duff and at least rename the thing. Trouble is, I can't think of any title that sounds good. Wandering Western New York is about as close as I can get. So, I thought I'd throw it open to you all. What are your ideas for a new title?

The Flowers of Early July

2011-07-06T07:33:00.001-04:00

The Summer flowers are really beginning to bloom now. The hydrangeas are covered with blooms. A couple of bushes are multicolored, as usual, but one surprised me by showing all pink blossoms this year.

In a couple of weeks, this one may be ready for drying. The blues retain some of their color when they dry and make a nice contrast to the delicate brown that the pink flowers turn.

And, the daylilies are starting to pop. This is Border Music. It's one of my new ones from last year. One petal is a little flawed, but that only makes it more charming, I think.

I think I am going to cherish each blossom that this daylily produces. Its name is Pure and Simple and I love it for the clear and clean quality of its color. It's another one of my new ones.

I don't know the name of this yellow daylily. It was one of my first, and came to me from a friend. I suspect it's an older cultivar, but I have always really liked it. It's another that I love for the its vibrant color.
Very possibly Touched by Midas

And, this is Strutter's Ball. I've had it a few years now, and, every year, I'm struck again by its deep, velvety purple and the contrast to the yellow throat. It doesn't fade too much over the course of its day long life, which, with the purples, can be a problem.

I love this time of year. Going out every morning to see what has bloomed is a pleasure.

When You Just Can't Think of a Subject

2011-07-05T10:04:00.000-04:00

Go searching for the cats. They're always good for a little cuteness.

Lazybones that they are.

Happy 4th of July

2011-07-04T10:41:00.001-04:00

I woke up this morning knowing exactly what I was going to post today. I was going to embed a YouTube video of Jimmy Cagney singing "Yankee Doodle Dandy." But, I found out that the videos of this wonderful song and dance sequence are all configured so that they can't be embedded. So, I guess I'll have to settle for a picture of him in that role.

Back when that movie was made, people weren't afraid to appear patriotic. I wish we still were more like that. This is a country that has many faults. And, sometimes I think that the extreme partisanship that exists today is going to tear us apart. But, then I remember that, in our short history, we've endured much worse than a bunch of bombastic politicians who care more for getting elected than they do about their country, and I believe that we will survive this.

So, Happy Birthday America. I love you, and I am grateful every day that I was lucky enough to have been born in a country as wonderful as this one is, warts and all.

By the way, I just looked at the schedule, "Yankee Doodle Dandy" is on TCM tonight at 8 PM

Out of My Rear Window 7-3-11

2011-07-03T11:20:00.001-04:00

It's a lazy Sunday here in the Land of Many Greens. I got up early, and, this is what it looked like. Dark clouds hung overhead. That didn't stop the squirrel festival from going on, however.

Or, one lone chipmunk from gathering more stores for the Winter.

Out on the front porch, Gina was enjoying the new cat tower, while Leon kept an eye out for critters.

I puttered around a bit, and, just as the weatherman predicted, the clouds left and sun shown over all. It's going to be a beautiful day, and I hope all of you get the chance to enjoy it to the fullest.

North Ponds Park -- Birds and Babies

2011-07-02T05:09:00.000-04:00

I'm trying very hard to get my walking stamina up again. So, I decided that, on this day, I would simply go over to North Ponds Park, and do a little walking on their nice paved path. I took my camera along, but I figured that I probably wouldn't use it. After all, North Ponds is just a small, man-made area, carved out of unused land beside a busy expressway.
It was a beautiful day for a walk. On the pond, Canada Geese floated peacefully.

Oh wait, they've seen me!

Got food lady?

No? What good are you? For this year's babies, these guys are awfully porky! That's either Mom or Dad on the left, trying to keep track of the rowdy bunch.

Once I extricated myself from the gaggle of geese, I resumed my walk. At the quiet end of the pond was another Mother and her bunch of babies. These little Mallards were much more well behaved.

They were so cute paddling along behind Mom that I took a short video.

Mom brought them to shore, where they paid absolutely no attention to me. Mom had her eye on me, though.

On I went, and was almost at the end of my walk, where the picnic pavilions are, when I got divebombed by an angry Swallow. Where there's an angry, divebombing Swallow, there should be a nest, so I looked around, and, sure enough, there it was, right under the eves of the pavilion.

Mom flew away as I got closer, and I was able to get a picture of the babies. They look quite big, and will, I suspect, be fledging soon.

Boy, was I glad that I brought my camera along after all!

Inspiration from Woodswalker

2011-07-01T09:05:00.002-04:00

I have a mentor. I don't know if she even knows that she is, because I've never even met her. I just read her blog, every single time, and I learn so much from it. Her name is Woodswalker, and this is her blog. http://saratogawoodswaters.blogspot.com/ If you're interested in the natural world, her blog is a must.

A couple of days ago she featured Swamp Milkweed. I immediately thought how I would love to see some. The best chance I had, I figured, was the Thousand Acre Swamp, so, off I went. It was a trip well worth making. This preserve is owned by the Nature Conservancy. It is a varied landscape, with over 500 acres, consisting of swamp, woodland and meadow. But, it has always been called The Thousand Acre Swamp. I remember my Dad telling of days in the Summer that he spent exploring the area. He must have been a hardy soul, because this was in the days before bug spray, and the area teems with biting insects.

You walk in via a grassy path and soon begin to see signs of the swamp.

After quite a long walk along this path, you come to the primary focus of the preserve, a boardwalk across a large portion of the swamp itself.

There, I soon saw the first plant that I had trouble identifying. Is it a sedge of some kind, or something else entirely? I don't know, but what caught my eye is how grasslike it appeared, and the spikey seed pod that appears to be located right on the leaf itself, not on a seperate stem.
Per Woodswalker, this is, indeed, a sedge.

Up in a tree, a little brown songbird was singing. He was too far away for me to be able to positively identify him beyond, possibly, some kind of Sparrow. Can you see him there, in the branches?

On each side of the Boardwalk, Cattails grew thickly. It's still early enough in the season that the male pollinator is still attached to the top of the female part, that we are all more familiar with. Later in the season, that male part will fall off, leaving the female cattail to mature.

The Boardwalk doesn't go straight across the swamp, but, zigs and zags. Imagine my surprise when I turned a corner and came upon this Great Blue Heron sitting on the railing. He didn't appear too concerned about my presence and I was able to get several shots of him, all the while creeping closer and closer. This is the best of them, even if I did cut off his feet.

Finally, I did get too close, and he flew off. The second mystery plant, or tree, was just ahead. This small, weedy tree didn't look too healthy, but it had lovely white flowers, reaching high towards the sun. They looked like the flowers of Queen Anne's Lace. I'm still trying to figure out what kind of tree this is.
I should have thought of this one. Again, per Woodswalker, this is Common Elderberry.

And then, there, right by the side of the Boardwalk was the plant that I had come to try and find -- Swamp Milkweed. The flower is still in the bud stage, but, you can see the bright pink promise of the beauty it will become.

After you leave the Boardwalk, you go through a wooded area. There, entirely different plants grow. Wild Leek, or Ramp flowers were everywhere. This area is greatly underutilized, I was the only one there for the entire time I was exploring, and, in this case, it's definitely a good thing as many people love to dig and eat ramp.

Wild Basil grew there, also

And, this plant, which has me banging my head against the desk in frustration. It's past flowering, which makes identification difficult. The leaves look like Rue Anemone, but the seed is wrong. Maybe some other kind of Anemone?
Per Woodswalker, this plant is Blue Cohosh. See why I call this woman my mentor?

There was a bridge over a little stream that was slowing winding towards the swamp.

On the bridge, a raccoon had stopped to admire the view. How do I know? He left a marker behind. Looks like he's finding lots of berries someplace along his way.

The path through the woods eventually leads you to a meadow, which I was all set to explore, until I noticed that the path there was terribly overgrown with poison ivy. So, I turned back and headed for the car. I hiked quickly along the return path, trying to build up my endurance.

As I got to the small open area that is just before the parking lot, I noticed something that I had overlooked on the way in. Another kind of milkweed, Poke Milkweed, was growing beside the path. It always surprises me that, no matter how closely I look, I always see something new, when I pass that way again.

And, this is not Poke Milkweed, but Apocynum cannabinum or Indian Hemp, but not the kind you smoke, which is what I thought of when Woodswalker told me what it was. Sigh, can't keep an old hippie's mind off the weed (no I don't smoke any more, haven't since I got out of college.)

I stopped at the information kiosk on the way out. There is a place there where you can record your observations, which I, faithfully, did. I don't know whether to be glad or sorry that I didn't stop on my way in, because I saw where, in June, two different people had written that they had run into a hobo there, begging for money, and that, at least one time, he had a gun. Now, I'm a little bit leary about going in there alone, again. But, all's well that ends well, I guess. I didn't see him, and I did see lots of things that I wouldn't have seen anywhere else.

So, thank you Woodswalker, for your inspiration, and for all the things that you have, inadvertently, taught me.

At Last!

2011-06-30T20:10:00.000-04:00

The first "real" Daylily has bloomed. Meet Chicago Picotee Pride, the winner of the early bird prize.

Daylily Season is officially here in my little corner of Western New York.

Beaver Lake Nature Center

2011-06-30T09:02:00.003-04:00

Yesterday, a friend and I drove to Central New York, to visit Beaver Lake Nature Center. Neither of us had been there before, so we were curious to see what it had to offer. We weren't disappointed. The center itself is very nice, with a little exhibit area inside that has many examples of the local birds and animals of the area. There's also a little gift shop, full of all kinds of instructional and fun stuff.

There are sensory gardens.

And, gardens that are a riot of plants, both wild and domestic.

When we set off on the trails, we found them to be wide, level and cushioned with mulch, making them very easy to walk on. This old tree was by one of the first trails we walked, the Woodland Trail. I wonder how many years it has seen?

It's a lovely little lake. Right now there aren't many birds on it, but, in migration season, they say that it is covered with many migrating water birds. We may just have to come back and see that.

I was particularly excited because there were many plants that I had either seen rarely, or not at all. Along the woodland path the Jack in the Pulpit was growing, amidst a huge patch of poison ivy, so I couldn't get too close.

I didn't even know that there was such a thing as Red Elderberry, but, there it was. The first picture is clearer, but the color is off. The second picture is a truer indicator of the bright red hue of these berries.

In places, the trails came close to the water. In the water was a new plant for me, American Water Willow. These pretty little purple and white flowers look like miniature orchids. Water Willow is sometimes said to be a nuisance plant, but others say that it is a great plant for holding the soil near the shore together, and preventing it from slipping into the water.

But, it was the Bog Trail that I found most interesting, because except for last fall in the Adirondacks when everything was done blooming, I hadn't had a chance to explore one before. I wasn't disappointed, and saw a number of new to me plants.
Arrow Arum Plant was everywhere.

Spatterdock, or Yellow Water Lily was a new plant for me.

You'll have to look closely, but, about in the middle of this picture that is a purple flower, growing out of the water. I'm not sure what it is, though I'm wondering if it could be some kind of hyssop? I know it's a poor picture to try and identify anything from, but, it was pretty far away and that's the best I could do.
Per Woodswalker, this little flower is Pickerel Weed.

This native wild rose, called the Virginia Rose, was also new to me, though I knew of their existence. It was wonderful to see a place where these delicate beauties hadn't been overwhelmed by that much more vigorous invader, the Multiflora Rose.

These two fish, lazing in a small creek that ran through the bog, were the only critters we saw. Though, we did hear many different birds, everywhere we walked. They were too shy to get pictures of, however.

This center well utilized, and there were many people and cars around, in spite of the fact that it was a chilly Wednesday. I was very impressed, and we plan to go back again in the Fall, to walk the Lake Trail, which is three miles around the entire little lake. In the meantime, I'll leave you with a question. This little flower was in the sensory garden. It was labeled as Feverfew, and I thought it was lovely and would love some in my garden. But, when I look it up, the flower, while similar, isn't the same. Can anyone confirm that this is, indeed, Feverfew?

Streeeeeeeetchhhhhhhhhh

2011-06-29T07:51:00.000-04:00

That's my fancy, expensive and squirrel proof feeder.