Busy is as busy does!

My youngest son Jer, came to visit this weekend. He didn't have his other children so he and Mari came to see me. 

We spent the first part of his visit moving a deer stand and dismantling part of it. I wanted a view from the 'campground' in the forest that was only about 8 feet off the ground. On these cool mornings, the deer will come out in the meadow that is east of us. I like to sit there with my long lens and 'deer watch' in the hour before sunset and the hour after sunrise.

Over the years, I've gotten lucky and have been able to catch a few nice photos of deer. If I don't get the shots, it will still be a neat place to observe mornings and evenings.

Two years ago [not on a deer stand] but standing on the ground:

We finished that project and we went to Wild West Days in Viroqua. Years ago, they built an 'old' Western town across from the Fairgrounds. For 20 years on the second weekend in August they fill the buildings with vendors who dress up in period clothing. 

There are fake shoot outs and fun activities for kids.

On the other half of the WWD's grounds, they have rodeos and horse competitions. Barrels, poles, pig wrestling, cattle sorting, roping, and so forth.

The weekend event draws huge crowds and quite a few tourists to town. This past Saturday they had the Farmer's Market, Wild West Days, and live bands playing on a street that is closed off for people to gather and dance.

The grounds are also leased out for other events including a 'Christmas Town' with the western town all decked out in Christmas lights and vendors in all the shops.

There are also horse shows and competitions on the rodeo grounds at other times of the year.

Viroqua was a 'dying  town when I moved to the area. It is hoppin' now.

Mari got a ride on a mini donkey and a cart ride too. She was infatuated with the donkeys.

This couple with the donkeys were so patient and sweet with the children that came to see them. 

We talked about donkeys of course since I've raised them and have always admired them.

We came back home to chill out for a bit and eat an early supper. I had saved a little Lego project for when kids visited. Mari dove right in to it and actually did a great job at following the directions. She needed help once in a while. It kept her busy.

Towards evening, we headed out to the 'campground'. We used the 4 wheeler and cart to bring out the camp cot and sandwiches along with refreshments.

We enjoyed hanging out at the campfire and chatting about nothing and everything.

The camp cot proved very useful. Hannah slept with Mari and Charlie took his place on my lap.

 

We left the camp around midnight and tumbled into bed. Everyone but Hannah slept in. As soon as there is a hint of light outside, she lets me know that she'd like breakfast.

Sunday was another whirlwind of sorts.

Below is the view of the meadow/old pasture that is south of the house. I had contracted Patrick who did forest mulching for me this spring, to brush hog the pastures for me twice a year to keep weeds down.

He came on Sunday afternoon.

It makes a huge difference and it helps me keep down the burdock. These pastures 10 years ago were filled with donkeys, horses, and mules who kept everything grazed down. We fed hay almost all year long back then.

Now that I have just a couple of grazers, I have to do something different.

15 years ago, this area looked like this:

This section will be the winter pasture with rotation in the summer to the other two decent areas I have.

Remember the busted up garage? I have a time for demolition! Frank was supposed to get back to me and I'd called him weeks ago for an estimate. He never got back to me. Patrick does only this sort of work for a living.

I'm giving him the job. The other old pasture areas out front will be smoothed out and seeded down so that I can mow it with my mower. It adds work, but I feel that it also will add value to the place to have it looking tidy and not weedy.

Progress is slow, but things are shaping up. Remember this spot?

It looks much nicer now.

Progress is slow but coming along.

Last but not least. I decided to move this tractor tire to get ready to finish off this last bit of cleanup near the large machine shed.

We drug the tire with the 4 wheeler over to an old truck bed that is on the ground. I should have known, I should have looked more.
I lifted an old water tank and shoved it onto the old bed as my son said, "Mom, are you sure there are no evil critters under there?"

I gave the tank another shove and gave him a look. He hollered "Ground Bees!"

As I felt the worst hot poker sting in my ankle. Literally, a sting by a ground bee feels like what I imagine getting shot and zapped at the same time. We ran. Thankfully, I was the only one that got nailed.

I grabbed an ice pack and sat on the kitchen floor. What an idiot! The pain was immense, it felt like I'd broken the ankle. [I didn't]

A neighbor brought me Benadryl later on.  The Benadryl knocked me out for the night by 8pm.

I went out at dawn and sprayed their nest. I won't mow in that area now for a few weeks either because the ground bees will be done. I'll let them be if they survive the spray. 

But dang, it was a fun weekend and so much got done!

The ankle is red, swollen, and horribly itchy this morning. Back to the ice packs! I may take another Benadryl and read a book this morning until the dew dries off the grasses.

One day at a time. One step at a time. I'm thinking that the bees just may have given me a part of the day off. 

It seems like a beautiful morning to have a cuppa coffee and read a book after I take the doggos for their morning walk.

Springing

Hepatica with a Soldier Beetle.
 I watched, this beetle grab a 
tiny insect and eat it!

Forest Drama!

 Rue Anenome with dew drops on it at Tainter Hollow

These flowers are so tiny that many people never see them while walking on a trail or path through the woods.

They are not showy or exceptional in colors, but in some areas they cover the forest floor for a few weeks each year.

I found these and the Virginia Blue Bells emerging in a place called Tainter Hollow. There is a tract of DNR land open to the public for trout fishing. It runs along Tainter Creek and has one trail that is mowed out and back, but one can wander around fairly easily in the spring. Once summer arrives, the growth around the creek is over 4 foot tall.

No shots of the Bluebells as they were merely an inch tall. My Bluebells at home are much taller and get more spring sunshine.

I walked over in the late evening to where I had some daffodils planted and thought I'd grab a few shots with back lighting. Instead, I got distracted by all of the action on the daffodils.

Here is a Mustard White butterfly which is not to be confused with a Cabbage White. The Mustard White only feeds and pollinates native plants. The Cabbage White is the one we all curse in our vegetable garden.

I have no idea what these insects are, but they were all over the place!

And out in the forest, tiny bees were visiting the Virginia Pinks which a lot of folks call Pink Beauties.

The bees are awake and the flowers are emerging. These flowers will soon disappear and more will take their place.

It has been very warm for this time of April, but I'll take it and enjoy it while I can.

July is done!

 

July was intense. 

Dry, smokey, moody, dusty.

We had company, we had drought, we had storms and we had intense heat.

We mowed the yard for the first time in July on the 24th. Since then we have had some rains and some parts of our state and the surrounding Midwest had intense storms.

I went on two kayaking trips and decided it was something I would love to do A lot more. I even went on line to learn more via reviews. I'd definitely love to get Charlie to go with me. He would need a lifejacket. After all, I taught him to ride the 4 wheeler with me, so perhaps we can manage a kayak together.

Most of my outdoor activity was in the early morning or late evenings. I managed to ride for a little bit almost each night [except when it was unbearably hot].

August is looming around the corner. What does it have in store for us?

Shorter days and the thought of entering fall? Hot and dry or cooler and wet? Who knows?

I can't stop time, so I will make the best of August and prepare for what follows.

Birds, Bees, Fungi, and the Surprise!

Beautiful rains.

The only way to make it rain? I set out a Lego Aztec Minifigure to do a Raindance when the clouds moved in.

After the rain quit the first time, I put on boots and headed out to the creek bottom. It was just a joy to see wet leaves and water in the creek.

As I moved along through the tangled brush and briers I noticed some pinkish peachy colors on a log. On close inspection I was so excited!

Its common name is Wrinkled Peach Fungi, its scientific name is Rhodotus Palmtus. Yikes, I prefer the Wrinkled Peach name. It is so delicate and beautiful. And... ---> not edible.

This is the bottom side.

From the top.

I found some Oyster Mushrooms too.  The Slugs were really into them. 

On the same log in the creek bottom that had the beautiful peachy fungi, I found Bear Scat.

 Ewwww. The slugs were all over that too!

I went back home to get out of my hot clothes and report the bear scat findings. It wasn't exactly fresh. There has been a bear in the area for the past few summers [don't know if it is the same one or not]. However the bear uses the creek as a pathway to get from the berry patches on one neighbor's land to the wild apple trees on the west side of our land. 

Back home the humming birds were going nuts on the Bee Balm.

These two photos are a combo of shots. It is the same bird taken in rapid fire and composited so a person can admire how quick these guys are!

They spent a lot of time going to the Bee Balm and then back to the feeders. They really argue quite a bit!

My favorite bird is this guy, the Ruby Throated Hummer.

See his tongue???

8 seconds of him watching for intruders!

The bees were insane on the Bee Balm, but I didn't want to sit or stand in the hot sun and watch them so I opted for some shots of the Humming Birds instead.

HAH!

After I finished chores, an older Cadillac came creeping down our driveway. I was all set to give them a 'What For' thinking some old fart was lost or it was a pile of Jehovah's Witnesses.

It wasn't!

It was our friends from Missouri who had traveled north to see the Northern Lights and then were quite disappointed by their accommodations and the weather.

More on that after our weekend is done....

HOT Afternoon

After mowing the hill and sweating out buckets [yeah, the little mower is self propelled but it doesn't propel well UP a steep hill], I decided to chill out and sit on the back step in the shade.

I could have gone inside and cooled off in the AC but I don't like spending summer days in the house.

I reserve days indoors for rainy days and frigid frightful snow days.

I noticed a lot of activity near the old outhouse. The Bumbles were very active along with tiny bees.

I decided to go grab my mega zoom lens and set it on a tripod. I pointed it at the plants and simply watched. 

I don't know what this butterfly is. Maybe someone will recognize it. I noticed that it seemed quite battered. 

I'd heard a segment on the radio regarding hot weather and insects. Apparently Hot Weather makes the insects' metabolism speed up and thus they are very active during hot spells.

This butterfly is caught with a downward wing stroke which I thought was pretty cool. I used what is called a High speed setting which takes 11 shots per second. Wow! Imagine that!
Usually I toss all but one of the shots taken that way. 

It is cool to get an unusual shot like this. I always imagined butterflies with their wings up.

I've been lucky enough more than once to catch a Bumble coming in for a landing. 

Let's play Where's Waldo with the Hummingbird!
This bird kept resting inside the plants. It was hard to spot him/her.

Learning to be patient is paying off.  

Here is a Ruby Throated Hummer tasting the bee balm. 
I think I will let the Bee Balm take over this section around the outhouse and move other plants this fall.

I grabbed two plants last year from my neighbor who has a huge disdain for flower beds and gardens.

Lucky for me, the former neighbor had planted so many beautiful plants around the house. I have been able to dig some up and add to my collection.

Here is the Hummer playing hide 'n go seek again!

Some Tweety Birds I caught while watching the patch of Bee Balm:

Goldfinch

House Finch?
Purple Finch?

Not sure!

A huge surprise! The Orioles

have not left yet!

Fledgling and Parent?

C130 skimming the tree tops. 

Not a bird in the wild sense!

The C130's from Fort McCoy fly low over head just skimming the tree tops. 

I bet you are wondering about what the mules think of it.

Not much. They rarely even lift their heads. They will look up when choppers come through doing the same thing. 

Charlie is not so calm about it. He thinks we are being invaded by 100's of UPS trucks or perhaps the world is ending.

Today looks like another muggy and hot day. That means I get my outdoor work done early and do more very late. 

Looks like we will have rounds of heavy and possibly dangerous storms tonight. Oh goody! Not.

Stay cool and comfortable.