Snow on Mt. Timp

It rained last night.  I hoped Timp would have snow, but I couldn't see the mountain today because of the fog.  Until now.

Can I love a mountain?

 

Triangle on Mt. Timpanogos

One of my favorite things about living in Provo is being able to see the triangle on Mt. Timpanogos.  This geologic feature catches the first rays of the sun.  This triangle is actually the top of a huge open space on the other side of the mountain.

Peaches

A fried delivered ripe peaches last night.  I am taking a painting class, and I wanted a photograph in the morning sun, so I wouldn't let Ben eat one for his dinner.  This morning, this is the picture I captured.

Peek-a-Boo!

One of the coral caught something and curled into a ball.  The clown fish go crazy when this happens.

Dragonfly

I've seen these dragonflies several times as I've fed the koi.  Today, my camera caught one!

 

Day of Nature

Dave's family is visiting.  Our plans today included Cascade Springs.  We'd seen a Rufous at the feeders, but my camera hadn't been able to capture him.  While kids were lining up in the mudroom for a check before getting in the car, Dave took my camera out to try his luck.

I didn't ask any questions when he gave me my camera, so I was pleasantly surprised to see these pictures on the memory stick after our outing.

Eagle-eyed David didn't wait for the Rufous to come to the feeder.  He spied him in the branches and clicked away.

This sunflower was waiting for us as we pulled into a lookout.

Cascade Springs has beautiful wildflowers.

The morning was cool and the sun was behind clouds.

This is not optimum for photography, but it's great for hiking.

My granddaughter made sure I didn't miss any flowers.

We are in a drought, so the flowers were not as abundant as they have been in years past.

The thistle was exquisite.

Even the bees agreed.

One Hummingbird and One Geranium

Word on the street is that a Rufous is drinking at the feeders.  I didn't see him tonight, but my camera did capture this.

Extra Space

Ben has changed my sprinkler system on the balcony.

The hummingbirds don't seem to mind.

This change doesn't actually affect the birds.

However, it has significantly increased the amount of space available for people.

They still check us out.

Bees and Other Pretty Things on Garbage Day

The sad truth is that I'm not usually outside during daylight hours.

I saw flowers in bloom when I came home from my walk, so when the sun was up, I took my camera out.  Lots of bees -- the garden was humming.

I do not know what these are.  I did not plant them.  It's good I like purple, because I seem to have a lot.

Sometimes flowers are prettier with my eyes than they are than with my camera.

On the other hand, these were more fun to look at through my camera.

Daisies are not as simple as they might appear.

Ben has been worried about my baskets getting enough water in 100 degree heat.

I think they are doing fine.

Party at the Feeder

The hummingbirds had a party this morning.

Trouble with the geranium sprinklers caused both Ben and me to be outside at the same time.

Ben set up a new watering system which works so well that I often neglect my flowers.

As a result, when we did appear in their private space, they were very curious about us.

They took turns buzzing us.

They come within inches and look right at us.  They are little guys, but still, it's unsettling.

But mostly the hummingbirds do what they are there to do:  eat and eat and eat.

Bull Thistle

I have watched this bull thistle grow all spring.  I usually see it in the dark, since that's when I walk by it, but this morning it was a little later, and I used my flash.  This blossom is level with my face, and even in the twilight, it's beautiful.

 

Pink

I discovered this groundcover when I helped Ben fix the waterline to the timer for my hanging baskets.  I tried for two days to get a picture, but I realized these pretty little plants get about 2 minutes of sun a day.  I asked Ben what they are called.  He's so good:  Lamium.

 

Waning Crescent

I have taken a lot of pictures of full moons and lunar eclipses.  I am feeling that the waning crescent moon is under-appreciated.

 

Rocks

I had a fun afternoon with a little boy and his mother.

 

Bye Bye Birdie

I had believed what I read about robins, and today was supposed to be the last day in the nest for the hatchlings.  I hid in the garage to get this picture.  Mom was ready, once again, to feed her babies.

This was gross and exciting at the same time.

Much later in the day Little Ben and I left the house for a walk around the block. I looked up to check the nest, and only one baby was there!  Oh, no! Where was the other?

I pulled my face out from behind the camera and immediately saw her, almost at my feet.  I likely missed her drop from the nest by seconds.

These last two weeks have been stressful.  Several times I was sure those babies were dead.  And now I thought baby brother had been abandoned by Mom.  I was very sad.

When Corinne got home, I showed her the pictures.  She raced out and raced right back in, practically dragging me outside.  The nest was empty.  Mom was in the tree.  She had spied the baby in the bushes.

We sneaked around my front yard like two burglars as we looked for the baby, and we found him!  He was just chillin' on a rock, happy to be out in the real world.  What an adventure this has been!

 

Robins, Day 14

I first saw these two hatchings 14 days ago.  My research has taught me that they will leave the nest any time now.  Even though the sun wasn't great, I took a picture, because I don't know if they will be here tonight.

The Columbine looked lovely in the morning sun.  While these are very delicate flowers, they love to spread.  I've never seen them in this particular location before.

All these blooms turned toward the rising sun.

I should know what's in my front flower garden.  I don't know what these are--I've never seen them before.  They seem to be in a prominent spot, so I'll keep an eye on them.