On this holiday weekend, some people have headed to campgrounds and park to kick off the summer vacation season. Some may have to deal with rain on their outing and these glacial potholes in Interstate State Park may fill with even more water.
Glacial Potholes
The evening temperature was finally more seasonal and the frogs were singing up a chorus down by the pond. Even the tree frogs were adding their voices to the nature’s concert. I don’t if my tree frog was one of the performers or not, since I didn’t put a tracking device on him when I released him either.
Frog Performance
Most of the apple blossoms have fallen off the trees with the wind and the lilacs have been tattered by rain but for a few days they flashed their colors in the sunshine.
Lilacs Catching the Sun
The nodding trilliums have a little better chance of keeping their blossoms dry since they hang underneath the leaves. They also seem to better survive becoming a snack for the deer which wander across my lawn since the flowers are more hidden and not as showy.
Nodding Trilliums Hiding
I startled two deer on my lawn this evening when I went outside to put more strings out for the orioles. I can’t seem to keep enough jelly or strings out to satisfy them but when I see the females taking three strings at a time, it is no wonder I can’t cut enough. And of course it is the female oriole doing all the working building the nest and collecting the strings and grass to build it. At least the males could haul the materials to the nest if the female does all the building. It is interesting to spot the red and white strings in the nests.
Strings in Oriole Nest
Watch the Orioles taking strings for building nests.
https://youtu.be/XJVOgYTh03Y&w=640&h=430&rel=0
This evening a deer wandered up between my two cats but neither of the cats were interested in deer eating grass since there was also a rabbit there too. Apparently a bunny look more appealing for a capture than a long legged deer.
Cottontail on the Lawn
The sunset was hidden again from the clouds that delivered more rain today. Hopefully the skies will clear up sometime soon and allow the sun to shine again.
Waiting for a Sunset
I imagine there are some wet, cold and soggy campers today, especially if in a tent. The water was running high in ditches from all the rain and the air had a bite to it with temperatures in the low forties. Soldiers in the 1800s probably appreciated a roof over their heads too rather than a leaking tent. These buildings were part of Fort Wilkins which were established in 1844.
Old Fort Buildings
Last Sunday, the birds were enjoying sunshine among the apple blossoms. The last few days, the orioles have been at the jelly and sugar water feeders as well as hiding on the porch during the rain.
Oriole in the Blossoms
The sun peeked out for a few minutes this evening after a long rainy spell. Many of the apple blossoms have fallen to the ground from the driving rain and wind but there are a few blossoms left to catch the fleeting sun.
An Apple Blossom
