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
Picture of the Day for May 24, 2017
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
Picture of the Day for May 23, 2017
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
Picture of the Day for May 22, 2017
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
Picture of the Day for May 21, 2017
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
Picture of the Day for May 20, 2017
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
Picture of the Day for May 19, 2017
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
Picture of the Day for May 18, 2017
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
Picture of the Day for May 17, 2017
After several very wet and stormy days, this mother cat and her kittens are probably glad to have a dry place in the barn to snuggle in.
New Batch of Kittens
Picture of the Day for May 16, 2017
This tree branch has fallen and has been weathered for a few years. With the storms today, there are more trees down as tornadoes touched down in several spots. One tornado hit a mobile home area, which left one confirmed dead and more than two dozen injured, as it wiped out numerous homes. No one can control Mother Nature but at least I only had rain and some little hail.
Weathered Limb
