Meadow walk

We took a walk in the meadow.
I was looking for butterflies.



The teasel will bloom in July.

Indigo Buntings found bugs

and Dragonflies patrolled.

Columns of cumulus clouds filled the sky.
I did not see any butterflies today.
Maybe tomorrow.

On the way home

I had a morning appointment.
I planned my drive home so I would pass the Nature Center
and the wild prairie.

Wild spaces are my favorite places to walk.

To hot to walk

The humidity rose as did the temperature.
It was too hot for me to take off walking.

I did want to get some exercise so when I went on errands
I decided to stop at the neighborhood woods.
I took a stroll in the woods.

The dragonflies were everywhere.

All sorts of varieties.

Watching this female lay her eggs was very fun!

I was filled with hope.
Dragonflies for August!

Dragonflies

The chicory has begun to bloom.
I was pleased to see a hover fly had found it.

I walked all about at Cave Springs.
I was looking for butterflies.
I found dragonflies, damsels and darners.

I will get my field guide and see if I can identify them.

This darling looks like a Familiar Bluet.

I could be wrong.

Down the street

I was reading outside on the deck when a Tiger Swallowtail

glided through the yard.

I grabbed the camera a went after him.

I saw bugs on my neighbor's red clover, but no Swallowtail.

Another neighbor has Sweet Peas in bloom.

No bugs on them.

Another neighbor has Asiatic Dayflowers blooming.

Also known as mouse ears!

Down the hill I walked when I saw a Mimosa Tree

was in bloom.

I walked for an hour looking for that Tiger.

Back in my gardens I saw a Swallowtail, not a Tiger but a Giant!

I took lots of pictures of him.

The best way I know of to raise my heart rate, is to hunt for butterflies.

Appointment

I made an appointment to walk this morning at 10 am.
Storms are in our forcast for this afternoon and this evening.
I want to walk for an hour.

I decided to walk in the cemetery.

When the Chipping Sparrow flew down on the street
with her prized moth I laughed.

She must have a nest near by.

She is my favorite Sparrow.
I never walk alone!

Lush

I think there are three times as many
leaves on the trees
this year.

It is lush outside.
The Walnut trees down the street are in bloom.
I never noticed them blooming before.

My neighbor east of me has a wildflower garden
started on her corner.



I am thrilled to see thistle so near to my house.
It is so pretty.

A Southern Magnolia bloom
is scenting my house today.

I walked early before the humidity was too high and before more storms came in.

After the rain

Another thunderstorm overnight
left us with two inches of rain.

I walked to the woods
after the rains stopped this morning.

We have been in a weather pattern
of severe thundershowers these past few weeks.
The ground does not have a chance to dry between weather events.
Standing water by the sidewalk was pretty but I know flooding is a problem for many.

A volunteer Catalpa tree is in bloom near the sidewalk.

It is a gorgeous tree.
It is also known as the Indian Bean tree.

Yoga Sandals

My massage therapist suggested I buy a pair of
Yoga sandals.
She thought they would help me stay in alignment.

I have been wearing them now for a couple of weeks.
My legs feel better. They are not so tired at the end of the day.

I found some "natural" nail polish. "No Miss" seems to be a great company with "healthy" cosmetics. I have not learned how to make my own polish. It has been a few years since I had my toes painted. I am so pleased to see my toes in color.

I see the yoga sandals come in red and white stripe and blue stripe.
I may order a couple more pairs. It would be fun to build an outfit from the feet up.
I am definitely feeling better!

Let it grow, let it grow, let it grow

Storms came in last evening.
We received 2.8 inches of rain.
The humidity is high.

The neighborhood is lush.
The trees are so full of leaves the street is shaded.

The Lilies have opened.



Roses and Honeysuckle scent the cul-de-sac.

The clover has rebloomed.

I walked quickly.

I was covered in sweat by the time I came home.

It felt like summertime.

Commitment to walking

I made a commitment to walking last summer.
I renew my commitment each month.
In June I would like to walk 40 minutes a day.
I think 20 minutes in the morning
and another 20 at twilight would be best.

My camera and telephoto lens weighs ten pounds.
Today I added one pound wrist weights.
I am gaining strength.

My neighbor's Southern Magnolia is blooming.

I will walk this way again tomorrow and take more pictures.

Down the hill I saw a Smoke Tree was in bloom.
My tree book says it is native to south-eastern United States but is becoming rare due to exploitation for an orange-red dry extracted from its wood.
I am glad my neighbor has one growing in her yard.