The political importance of Independence Day may have declined as the 4th has become more as an occasion for family parties, barbecues and fireworks.
Fireworks on the 4th
Picture of the Day for July 3, 2018
Some of the lilies remind me a little like fireworks appearing to explode outward, but they are much quieter, with only the hum of bumblebees, than fireworks going off all week.
Lily Exploding
Picture of the Day for July 2, 2018
I normally consider the Northern Cardinal as a winter bird, even though they hang around all year, but the red color of the males stand out against the winter’s white snow. The cardinals are coming to the feeders more right now even though they feed their young mainly insects so I figure they are eating more seeds for themselves as they give the bugs to the babies.
Cardinal Waiting for Lunch
Picture of the Day for July 1, 2018
Yesterday was the Cranberry Blossom Day in Warrens, Wisconsin, an area where Wisconsin’s No.1 fruit crop in grown. Cranberries have had a variety of different names since their discovery. Algonquins of Wisconsin dubbed the fruit “atoqua” but the name that stuck is the shortened version of crane berry, named by early German and Dutch settlers, because the flower’s resemblance to the head and bill of a crane.
Cranberry Blossoms
Picture of the Day for June 30, 2018
The weekend enabled more people to head to the water to cool off, including waterfalls where some ventured through the falling water to stand behind the falls. With my luck, I would have slipped and rolled down the falls.
Cooling Off at the Falls
Picture of the Day for June 29, 2018
Many people escaped to pools and other water to help escape from the high heat today and even this turtle kept dunking its head under the water while floating on the pond.
Hot Day at the Pond
Picture of the Day for June 28, 2018
While I was mowing today, I spotted two little fawns who where hiding in the long grass but they did take off when I got too close after they moved to a different spot and I didn’t notice them until it was too late. I was also disturbing a green heron who was hanging around the pond edge and had to fly multiple times to the trees. Green Herons usually hunt by wading in shallow water for small fish and other things so it was probably after my little fish. They also create fishing lures with items like insects or feathers that they drop on the surface of the water to entice small fish.
Displaced Green Heron
Picture of the Day for June 27, 2018
While one thinks of colored leaves in the autumn, some leaves also show color when they first emerge even in the summer on new growth, especially the maples, before they change to their summertime green. And then they change again in the fall before the leaf falls from the tree.
Summertime Colored Leaves
Picture of the Day for June 26, 2018
With more rain today, my walk across on the lawn had a squishy feel as well as some water pooling on top of the ground. But at least it wasn’t causing flooding like some areas. It is better to view a peaceful scene where water normally occurs.
A Little Cove
Picture of the Day for June 25, 2018
I saw three baby orioles trying to land on the feeders this evening and they weren’t very successful with their uncoordinated flying. Baby grosbeaks are rather noisy with their cries as they wait for the adults to bring them lunch.
A Crying Grosbeak
