Walking the Buffer Strip

I am still sharing things from last Saturday.  It was a busy day, but part of my day was enjoying a walk through the buffer strip on my way back up from pasture.

chicory

honeybee on clover

sulfur on alfalfa

bug on the wild aster

It was not horribly hot yet when I was out walking, and there’s not going to be many more days I can enjoy flowers and bees and butterflies out there.

wild aster

sulfur on clover

monarch on clover

sulfur on alfalfa

Soon my soybeans will be harvested.

This weekend we are back to more seasonal temperatures; it’s going to really feel like a fall walk if I can find time.

Walking the Buffer Strip

Sometime last week, I think, I decided to ignore everything and go for a walk in the buffer strip.

wild aster

honeybee on alfalfa

butterfly on clover

monarch butterfly

I’m glad I did.

white alfalfa

tiger swallowtail

bumblebee on alfalfa

Honestly, this summer has been so crazy that I haven’t had a single nice, calm relaxing day.

yellow sulfur on clover

monarch

bumble bee ready to buzz off

And I go back to work next week.

My Daily Hike

Every day about mid-morning, I make a hike out to the back fence in the Back Forty.  Can you see why?

(look for the little white spot by the corn)

How about now?

Ivory

Yep.  Antigone’s girl Ivory won’t quit putting her head in the fence.

wondering why it’s taking so long to free her

So I have to go release her.

looking for the herd

She’s happy to be back with her mom and brother.

Antigone with Ivory and Q-Tip

It’s not even Nessa.  She’s been saving her stuck for late in the evening just outside the barnyard.  Why not?

Nessa with maa, Penelope (Popcorn behind)

At least it gives me a chance to check on Abby too.

Abby behind Dolly

I let Zinnia and her girl in with the rest of the herd, so I do like to check.

“The herd”

Although, Zinnia is an awesome mom and I don’t really worry about her at all.

Abby

It also gives me a chance to see some of the other wildlife out in pasture.

The dragonflies are crazy thick this year

I really need to cut those thistles.

So I guess it’s a good hike.  I’d still prefer hiking without having to unstick a kid.