Great Spangled Fritillary

 I was out in the yard yesterday and saw this butterfly in the grass.  What caught my eye was the color, the size and the fact that it was in my grass meaning I might have a chance to take a picture.  I always think something is wrong if it's not flying away but that was not the case.

The size is close to a Monarch.  This is a Great Spangled Fritillary and apparently can live in the area.  I don't recall seeing one in my life.  Maybe I've seen them fluttering and assumed a Monarch.  Anyway, it did finally fly away but I got these two pics...

Daytime Doe

 Activity has been light lately.  Plenty of food around so the deer don't have to work the edges as much.

Here is a nice daytime image...

First Vole Rescue of 2023

 Kyanne makes it a habit to sniff the window wells but usually walks on by.  Today she indicated something and we indeed had a live vole needing rescuing from one of the shallow window wells.

New Mulch ~ May 2023

 Posting for reference...

Spring Decorating 2023 - Painted the front door (finally) and put out flowers.

 Mulch still to come.  Posting this for reference.  Flowers from Canoyer's in Grimes.  Very impressed.

The door painted a flat black.  New floral door hanger replaced the Welcome heart.  Also got a new welcome mat.

"Barbara" Year 5

 Hard to believe it's been five years...

Here is how the bush is doing.  I still haven't cut anything back.

Wow! Finally not just one Pileated Woodpecker...but two!

 Possibly a once in a lifetime moment happened on Easter.  I saw movement in the woods close to the ground.  The wings I saw were large and I thought maybe a Cooper's Hawk was on the hunts.  But I was seeing black and white flashes.  Then I saw another bird that looked the same.  I knew then what I was seeing and grabbed my camera and ran outside.  I told Cindy all is okay and I would explain later.

I had "seen" a Pileated Woodpecker last year...but just a silhouette and heard the laughing call.  What was unusual to me is I had the impression that they liked to stay higher up in the trees.  I don't have the best camera but it was the best at the time!  Here is what I saw...