The neighborhood pool was open for business yesterday. It was so dang hot and humid! I managed to catch this particular fellow in the midst of a refreshing dip.
He was in and out of the water several times. I was a wee bit envious.
The rudbeckia have opened.
The liatris are filling out. I love these flowers which are tall and spiky and exotic looking.
Amazing.
I’ll try to get some shots of the garden in the next few days – we’re approaching that time when the tall David’s Phlox will be in bloom, along with all the coneflowers and the rudbeckia. It looks awfully pretty. It’s what I call the July Peak.
I just caught a glimpse of one of our bunnies through the den window. I wonder if it’s one of this summer’s babies? The other day I saw our groundhog chomping on some grass. Groundhogs are shy, timid, gentle creatures, and vegetarians to boot. They run and hide under the shed when they’re scared, which is quite often!
Oh, and I saw a hummingbird yesterday! I walked out onto the porch and there, staring at me, was a hummingbird who was hovering over the coneflowers. Turns out the coneflowers weren’t what she was looking for, but she hovered and darted and looked absolutely beautiful.
Did I have my camera? No.
This might be one of my favorite photos ever. I was using the macro setting, trying to capture that tiny little bee who is on the edge of the cone. I love the highlights and shadows and the texture of the cone.
Sometimes you get lucky.
Happy Thursday.
Thank you for the photos, almost afraid to think what my yard is going to look like when the sun comes up…it’s going to be 103 with dry heat.
Hang in there, Judy! That’s way too hot!
Loved seeing the birdies bathing. Pinning:)
Lots of trips back and forth between the house and the birdbath – must keep it filled with water!
The flowers are so pretty. I use to have some coneflowers, not sure what happened to them. I will have to plant some more. My birdie pools were quite busy yesterday too. It’s fun to watch them. I have this one bird who just loves to jump in and splash all around then the others line up on the edge to get wet like it was a sprinkler! Have a great day!
It is great fun to watch them, Nancy. I agree. How can you not smile when watching them jump in and take a dip?
This is not criticism, Claudia. This is empathy. I never know what day of the week it is.
Not sure I’m understanding your comment, Linda. Is everything okay with you?
Oh wait, I get it! I said Happy Wednesday instead of Thursday! Yikes! Thanks, Linda! I’ll correct that right away.
Little mistakes like that make me smile—-I’m not alone in my sixty-something muddledness. Is that a word? Now where’s my dictionary?
If it isn’t a word, it should be. Lately, I often wonder what day of the week it is – but the sad thing is that I was SURE it was Wednesday today!
I just had to laugh ladies..I had a funny thought..it used to be when there were holidays I would get the days mixed up..now it seems to happen several times a week..lol..muddledness is a very good word Linda..
Claudia, Your pictures are all very good. I love seeing everyone’s flowers. I think you do very good close ups. Hope you can enjoy sitting on your porch these nice days. Blessings, xoxo,Susie
I hope so, too. Hopefully, the humidity will drop a bit. Fingers crossed!
Beautiful pictures. I love those “lucky moments”. I always feel like a much better photographer than I really am when I get a lucky shot. LOL
Me too!
So fun to see your mid summer garden. I have never been able to get a picture of a hummingbird. They dart away too quickly. xo Laura
Yes, they’re awfully quick!
I am really enjoying YOUR garden this year! That last photo is great…love how that happens sometimes!
hugs,
Linda
Me too – a wonderful surprise!
Great pics! Are you able to take a video with your camera? If so…how about one of the birds in the birdbath? I miss my birdbath…winter broke it…really! Enjoy your day…is it cooler yet? ;)
Not so easy to do. I take these photos from far away and then crop them. If they see me, they’ll fly away.
It’s a bit cooler today, but still hot. And still humid.
Lovely picture of the bee on the coneflower and I will have to try the macro setting.
It’s what I use for all those closeups, Karen.
The hummer will like the phlox once it opens and they do like coneflowers if other nectar plants aren’t available….must be checking out other plants for now….it seems everyone is enjoying the neighborhood fun! Great pictures Claudia!
It’s just timing it so that I happen to be there, camera in hand, when the hummingbird is there.
Good catch with the Bee, Claudia. Hot and humid have been replaced by dry breezy 70s with dew points in the 50s. Only to last a day or two though and then we’re back to the hot and humid stuff. I am not a fan of summer.
Oh, what I wouldn’t give for a low dew point!
Great photos Claudia! Aren’t groundhogs the funniest? We have a resident who goes from our shed to the neighbor’s shed and when he gets frightened he can really book it…looks so funny when he runs.
They can run really fast! Just saw ours again and the minute Don opened the door – boom! he was gone.
I saw the Hummingbirds yesterday enjoying my red Bee Balm..I looked out this morning and saw my Black Eyed Susan was blooming too..I do enjoy the pictures you get of the birds bathing Claudia..Don’t you wish you could join them sometimes??
Yes, I do! I wish I had a pool.
I really love your photos Claudia. They always make me want to go outside and really look closely at every flower, plant or bush I see. We are seranaded daily by the singing birds and oh how lovely they sound. They sure sound better than the loud hum of the air conditioners.
Much better than air conditioners, Janie!