The dogs and I took a walk just after sunrise hoping to get some exercise before the dangerous heat moved in.
It was hazy and humid as you can probably see behind Charlie. [He seems to be doing fine even with his bad tooth situation right now. I don't know if he is just excellent at hiding his pain or he is stoic. My bet is on stoic.]
The heavy dew was amazing at showing spider webs that are springing up all over the place. In a few weeks the meadow behind Charlie will be full of webs for Orb Spiders. I was able to actually find one tiny spider between two webs. It took quite a few shots to get this little spider in focus, but I persisted.
The web below is likely built by a Funnel Weaver. I've yet to see one, but can appreciate their beautiful webs.
The bees are incredibly busy on these flowers. Horse Nettles. I've been fighting them in a section of pasture for a while. I tend to think of them as beneficial to bees so I am leaving most of them alone. When they are flowering, I can sit in the grass nearby and watch the bees swarm the flowers.
They are toxic to humans and animals so there is that. I'd like to get rid of them but not quite sure I should, I'd rather support the bee population. Perhaps I'll just make that spot smaller and keep them from taking over.
The morning quickly turned incredibly hot with the humidity. I picked a large bunch of Queen Anne's Lace along with a few of the Zinnia's that decided to blossom this year.
I thought I'd do a little photographic 'study' of them while indoors and beating the heat.
Your eyes are not betraying you. Some of the ones I picked have a pink hue to them. I left most of the flowers alone that I noted the pinkish color. I thought all Queen Anne's Lace was pure white.
By late in the afternoon the 'heat index' had risen to 115. I went out a few times with the dogs. I stayed out as long as I could and then brought everyone inside.Hannah played ball and took all of her toys out of the basket and spread them around house. She was bored.
I read for a while and then decided to try and find something to watch.
I found a program that absolutely captivated Hannah.
It is a series of videos by a guy named Rocky Kanaka that goes into Dog Shelters and basically 'sits' with dogs that are non responsive or deemed not very adoptable. It is called Sitting with Dogs.
Hannah had a keen interest in what was happening.
The weather broke overnight. It is still muggy but the temps are in the 70's for today so I will celebrate by getting out and about.
The h at has been oppressive. I’m ready for fall and cooler temperatures. RHill, TX
ReplyDeleteI cannot even imagine how hot it gets in TX.
DeleteUgh! Just after sunrise is about the only time to get out this past week. We too have been hibernating inside during this heat with the exception of taking the dogs out a couple times a day.
ReplyDeleteI agree with that. From noon until about 5 or 6 is a stay in our find a shady spot for me.
DeleteThe dogs didn't mind too much, but I didn't want them overheating.
So yeah, short trips outside to do their business.
We have spiders who dwell in our car mirrors, year after year. One came out while I was driving and had a heckuva time getting back into shelter. No one else I know experiences this phenomenon, but we have them year after year, both mirrors. Even after one leaves, another comes to fill the space.
ReplyDeleteI found spiders this morning in some of the webs, they are so beautiful.
DeleteIn a few weeks the large females will be out and about.
How weird is it that they live in your mirrors???
You sure have been hit with some heat! I have never had a dog that would watch something on the television....but they have responded to sound. Beautiful photos. Lori
ReplyDeleteWow! That would be waaaaaaay too hot for me too!
ReplyDeleteThanks for these glimmers into the world of insects; always fascinating, and so essential to life on Earth.
ReplyDeleteThe weather is cooling a bit here too. Spiders are natures best engineers. Beautiful web shots and that first one of Charlie, so adorable, and of Hannah watching that show. I've read where Charlie had his teeth pulled. Please give him a big hug from me and Hanna too.
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