Miscellany

I actually took the time to just go for a walk the other day because I was hoping to photograph some of the many butterflies I’ve been seeing.  Unfortunately, they didn’t cooperate.  I caught one monarch in flight, but that was it for the butterflies.

The dragonflies were not much better.  But they are huge this year!  I could even catch them mid-flight.

I did finally get one to sit still while I photographed it–from below.

The goats were out in pasture.

Love me some goat eye.

Cutie

This is usually my view in pasture.  Myson constantly walks directly in front of me.  Silly boy.

Myson

I’m still seeing lots of meadowlarks.

I was really excited to see that I accidentally walked by a juvenile bobolink, and it didn’t fly.

Mr. Bobolink, however, was really concerned, so he flew closer.

He’s losing his breeding color now, so I probably won’t recognize him anymore.  Until next year…

Back in the barnyard, Ringo waits for his mom to come back so he can eat.

Ringo

Snow White is also still shut in the north paddock since I’m milking her maa.  She’s still not happy, but she has finally settled down.

Snow White (those ears!)

I adore my Pluto!  I wish he were in the barnyard with everyone else, but I’m sure he’s happier staying with his brother.

Pluto

Finally, Aurora.  She shouldn’t eat and spit.

Aurora

It’s not a good look.

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Pretties

It’s quite pretty on the farm right now.  The waterways got baled right before the last rounds of rain began.  Having the waterways mowed also lets you see how the beans are growing.

I have several varieites of lilies blooming right now.

There have been lots and lots of butterflies this summer.  I think they like all of the rain.

swallowtail

I found a few wild raspberries up around my house.  This one by the deck has actually given me a few berries.  I was also fortunate enough to have someone gift me with a buck of raspberries.  Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.  They are my favorites!

I am always surprised when I find mallow blooming.  I planted it years ago, and the beds where I planted it have all been overgrown, but these little flowers keep finding places to grow.

I was also pleased to note that my white gooseneck flowers seem to be making a come back.  I really need to clean up the flower beds. They were neglected for years with my Great Pyrenees and the goats in the yard.

The barn swallows are busy raising babies.

A little fritillary.

I am also seeing a few strawberries on the plants I put in pots.  Of course, the shepherd’s hook couldn’t support them in the saturated ground, so I had to move them, but they are doing well.

I also have impatiens blooming. They were a Mother’s Day gift.

Impatiens I received for Mother’s Day.

I think all the little meadowlarks have fledges based on the number of them I’m seeing in pasture.  I can’t take more than a step or two before one flies up in front of me.

meadowlark

The yucca plant is also blooming right now.

Yucca blooms

Nothing beats Iowa’s beauty this time of year.

Scenes From the Week

I am so far behind that this post now is from the last two weeks.  It was scheduled, and I had to keep moving it, and I’m still behind in what’s going on around here.

Snickers

Litha

northern flicker

Aurora

Flower

Odie

northern flicker

robin

Pluto and Tony

Angela and Moira

Harley and Cupid

Leo

Back: Xerxes and Fionn; Front: Pluto, Zeus, and Anubis

Aphrodite’s doe

coreopsis

robin