Touches of Fall

On this first day of Fall, we are seeing some of the bluest skies I have ever seen!

Yesterday we saw farmers baling hay and harvesting beans.  Always about the middle of September it seems like you can even smell Fall in the air.  This is my all time favorite time of year!

We have been seeing some pretty sunsets and sunrises lately.

I saw this ripe Persimmon at a Nursery.  It's larger than our Persimmons.

Here and there we are seeing tiny touches of color in the leaves.  Can't wait for the peak season for color to arrive!

The Sumac is turning and seems to have more berries/seeds than ever this year.

I like to hear the honk of the Canada Geese as they fly South for the winter.  Some of them choose to stay around here and spend the winter on the local lakes, and that fine with us!

It was fun photographing this bright yellow crop duster against the deep blue sky!

My, he comes close!  I thought he was going to clip Jeep's tower with that pass!!!

And right on time, the 'Johnny Jump Ups', aka Surprise Lilies, pop up on the first day of Fall!

Hope your Fall is wonderful! 

Ongoing Sagas of Summer

Four days ago, I decided this Morning Glory had climbed high enough up the Ham Radio tower.  I cut the vine off from its roots, but every day it has had blooms that look fresh!

Below is the base of the tower and you can see that there are no vines growing up it.

Here you can see the ends of the vine were cut about as high as I could reach.  The leaves are dying but the vine is still green.

Sorry about not being able to turn this picture vertical.  You can see the flowers blooming, and even new buds, after four days of not being rooted in the ground!

Will wonders ever cease!!!

On another note, the Green Lynx Spider I have been watching showed me something new she had made overnight.   I believe she has laid her eggs and encased them in a protective sac.  Notice how swollen her body is yesterday, and how slim she looks today!

What is going on in your yard?

Pictures of Summer

I've been experimenting with the new camera I received for my birthday (and Christmas, probably).  I had been wanting a  small camera I could carry in my purse or pocket and Jeep found one online that he thought would fit my needs.  It's a Panasonic DMC ZS40 and it will do a wide variety of things.  I have a lot to learn about how to operate it!!!

I've been watching this Green Lynx Spider that lives on this one Zinnia bloom.  She has encased the flower in a thin web and traps small insects to dine on.  

I'm not sure if this Katydid sips the nectar of the flowers or eats the small insects it finds there.

The Hummingbirds are having a feeding frenzy as they tank up for the long flight they will soon make to their winter home in Central or South America.

Jeep and I had fun on a night excursion to get some shots of the Super moon.  We drive out in the country where there are no power lines.  

We are beginning to see more butterflies now.  This Red-spotted Purple showed up this morning.

Yesterday, I caught this Sulphur  Butterfly on on a Zinnia.

I think the little camera is going to quickly become a favorite.  I especially like the Macro shots!

The Zinnias have been blooming in some glorious colors this summer, as you can see in this picture and the one below.

One twig of the Sumac bush gave me a small promise of the Fall color we hope to see soon.

Hope you have had a great Summer!

We are looking forward to Fall.

♥ ♥ ♥