That time of year

End of July through probably September, rescues pick up from our deep window well.  It was so hot and dry that I wasn't hearing frogs and toads but they have survived.

This is either a leopard frog or possibly a pickerel frog.  Leopard frogs have a brighter ring around the spots so not 100% on identification.

 

 

And for the first time this year, we have a vole.  This is in one of the shallow window wells and Russ gets the assist for sniffing it out.

 

A Ruby-throated Hummingbird at rest

With all that wing flapping, it makes sense they need to stop once in awhile.  If you see one perched it's usually on a feeder or flower holder.  This is from my back fence.

Eclipse photo courtesy of our very own Jeff Goetz

Awesome captures from Jeff (Cindy's nephew) who was in the line of totality in Casper, WY. 

Jeff is a PIO (Public Information Officer) for the Wyoming Department of Transportation and was certainly very busy during this time - including getting some face time on TV.

We are very proud of him!

 

 

 

Jeff said... "a lot of people working really hard pulled this thing off.  It's been an amazing time - really great to be a part of this!"

 

He adds..."We (WYDOT) just came out with initial car numbers.  We're estimating 277,000 + cars in Wyoming.  If you figure 2 people per car that's about doubling the state's population!  And that was just on Sunday!"

Hey, it's my birthday...

Why not post a picture of me?

I got a bike on my 10th birthday.  My first bike.  I'm sure I tried to ride Dean's prior to getting this.

This for Dean and Jon

 

Rusty and his tree

He likes to get behind this tree and survey the area.

American Goldfinch feeding (but not at a feeder)

I've seen as many as five or six Goldfinch at a time feeding next door.  My neighbors on the other side have put out feeders so when you combine that with the natural selection shown here, it has been fun watching them.  These pictures taken at maybe at 5pm.

 

 

And now, an experiment.  I will include a short video here.  If you are reading this on an e-mail, it may not play but it should work on my actual blog.

 

 





Teasel

I noticed these plants down where the Snells do their boating.  After some research, I've learned it's an invasive species and on the noxious weed list for Iowa.  So basically not welcome.  And now that I've paid attention when driving around, I see it more and more.

The name of the plant is teasel.  It can grow to nine feet.  What caught my eye were the seedheads. 

 

Unidentified toad

This toad (assuming a toad based on size of rear legs and looking at front feet) wasn't happy when I mowed its hiding place recently.

I have searched online and cannot yet identify it.  Jon?



For now, I'm calling it Saggy Baggy Elephant...

 

Tumbler pigeon?

Here's one for Jon and Dean.  This bird caught my eye for the coloring.  At first, I thought it was a Mourning Dove.  From a quick Google search, I believe it is a domesticated rock dove (pigeon) called a tumbler.

 

For comparison, this picture from the internet...



Tumbler pigeons are varieties of domesticated pigeons descendant from the rock dove that have been selected for their ability to tumble or roll over backwards in flight.  This ability has been known in domesticated breeds of pigeons for centuries.  (Wikipedia)

I look forward to any other ideas.

Disco Belle Pink Hibiscus

This is in our neighborhood on our morning walk.

‘Disco Belle Pink’ is a compact F1 hybrid cultivar which grows to 2-2.5’ tall. Each flower (to 9” diameter) features five overlapping petals which are pink on the edges fading to white with a deep pinkish-red eye surrounding a prominent creamy white to pale yellow central staminal column. July to September bloom.

Buns in the sun

Rabbits seem to be everywhere lately.  Here's two that caught my eye.

I liked not only how the sun was showing through the ears but how it was just lying in the grass as  Russ and I walked by.

 



Thank you for eating my dandelions!

 

 

"I'll keep a look out!"

 

Praying Mantis

This was hanging around our back deck...