Fall Buzz

Although the temperatures have dipped, they have not deterred fall bees and wasps!  The hive is behind the flower bed near the bus stop.  I saw no activity when this photo was taken, but  I hear that peppermint oil is an excellent wasp repellent.

Enjoy!

~ Robin 

Coneflower Prepping for Fall

Coneflowers are fading fast.  This one has de-colorized from pink to vermellion.   Others are deteriorating.  All make nice resting places for insects like Katydids and grasshoppers.  Soon the petals will fall and the brown spiky flower heads will be good food for migrating birds.

Enjoy!

~ Robin  

Summer Exploding

Pale Purple Coneflower

Sulphur Cinquefoil

Butterfly Weed

Sunday was bright, hot, and windy.  The weather in the last week has caused an explosion of summer flowers.  

Common Milkweed

Yellow Daylily in flowerbed

Waiting on the wings were evening primrose, cattails, blazing prairies, among others.  The cattails are pollinating - anyone for cattail pancakes?

Enjoy!

~ Robin

Leaf-ception

"Leaf within a leaf of a shadow of a leaf" ~ Jasper Clifton

No post processing tricks - I just captured what was there.  Only two stems.  I honestly don't know how.  :)

Enjoy!

~ Robin

Photo taken 11/2/13

Raindrops Keep Fallin'

Yesterday my husband woke singing "Raindrops keep falling on my head ..."  Today was no exception.  Sometimes rain brings out more color and contrast.  I enjoyed my photo walk this afternoon in the rain.  

Enjoy!

~ Robin

Beetles Blending

Several of the tall grasses are showing their petals.  I found a yellow Spotted Cucumber beetle among yellow petals.  And an orange lady beetle blending in among orange ones.  

Enjoy!

~ Robin

Yippee Skippy!

Several skippers were out to play along the creek path.  They were partial to the blazing prairies wildflowers.

Enjoy!

~ Robin 

Already?

Mid-August and the small oak tree near the meadow has already started to color?   

Enjoy!

~ Robin

Eastern Purple Coneflower

A new coneflower is starting to show up at the park:  Eastern Purple Coneflower.

Enjoy!

~ Robin

Bright and Fickle

Though several buds are making a bright debut, the weather forecast is fickle about spring.  Snow? Really?  We shall see!

Enjoy!

Robin Clifton

Warm Colors of Winter

Temperatures were warmer today, reaching above freezing.  On the gravel road the freshly melted snow uncovered a small chip of bright orange agate.


Some of the berries of a wildflower have kept their red.

The berries near the pavilion have been covered with ice that melted off the roof.  Their red is well preserved.

Enjoy the temporary warmth,

~ Robin

Color Me Fall

Something about the on and off drizzles of the last few days has awakened color in the last remnants of leaves.  Looking close is like looking at pixels of color.

Should be a nice afternoon, 

Enjoy!

~ Robin

Oriole Arias

Ever try to imitate some of the bird songs you hear?  It is fun to try.  This bird seems to have a melodic yet changing repertoire.  The one I was trying to copy was different from any recorded here.  


This colorful bird is a Baltimore Oriole.


Enjoy!


~ Robin

Admiring Admirals

Along the marsh road I followed a Red Admiral a little while.  The butterfly posed  nicely for me.  As I walked along, it seemed like he was following me and wanted me to take more photos.  Closer observation revealed there were a NUMBER of Admirals sunning themselves not just this one.

Enjoy!

~ Robin