Fuzzytail!!

Well, if the birds like it -why not? It's a scream to watch him try and climb the slender iron rod that holds the bird feeder - when it's wet from the rain he gets near the top - and slides down as if the pole were greased. Naturally, true to the code of all squirrels - he (or she) never gives up.

Sign of the Time (of year).

The sedum does not seem to attract butterflies.

New Friends Have Arrived

A flock of black capped chickadees arrived at the retreat two days ago. With a little luck they may stay the winter. They seem to enjoy the food at the small feeder. Among the wild birds they seem to probably be the easiest to make friends with. More photos to follow!

Risky Attraction yellow jacket hornets!

The bamboo is in it's full glory. The blooms attract just about everything including almost the full range of stinging critters. Bees, wasp, hornets. It's not an area I want to push my way through right now, but the bamboo surrounds the north-east corner of the retreat. What a spot to photograph these insects.

Fall colors

This will be a deep red by the time the snow falls. It seems to attract mostly the bumble bees.

Yet this is no garden of Eden.

Can you see what is lurking there to catch the unwary? Yet this is also a dangerous place for her. There are hunting wasps frequenting the area, and this is one of their special treats to feed their emerging grubs.

Summer Storms

We probably won't see any more of this type of sky until next year. Nature is getting ready for the next act in the seasons.

Blooming Bamboo

The babboo is now as high as the roof of the retreat. With the hot weather we are having it should be in full bloom by tomorrow. The bees and hornets are already checking it out.

Ohhhh Yummy!

I had put this empty jar of peanut butter outside - with the top on - meaning to clean it out later and toss it into the recycling. Well come the evening my friendly, (but wild) - local raccoons found it but were unable to take the top off. Later Ms. Skunk came along and carefully - with considerable skill - removed the top and complately cleaned out whatever peanut butter was left. All ready for recycling. BTW, Ms. Skunk was so into her treat she was completely unaware (or did not care) that I was only about three feet away taking pictures.

On Making Friends?

This youngster has become quite used to my presence. Still, I do have to watch where I put my feet in the dark! Though I have a feeling he or she would not object, I don't think I want to even try had feeding treats just yet. There is something about a skunk that demands at least some respect. (Smile).

Summers End is Near

Still beautiful, but it cannot be long before this last one vanishes. Next spring seems a long way off at this point.

Another Visitor

A beauty,perhaps some type of swallowtail butterfly,but I'm only guessing. There was also a humming bird moth, but it was moving too fast for me to get a clear photo.

Don't Be Fooled....

This is Chloe as she arrived with her small family last night. No, she is notangry at me - she is simply eating. But boy, she would make a great ad for the benefits of flossing. (GRIN).

A Thoughtful Moment

This is Chloe again, looking very thoughtful as she watches her three grown-up youngsters enjoying some - I guess it's breakfast for them. It seem that Chloe did have three kits this year. All looking very healthy and strong - even Chloe looks better than I have seen her in years.

Charlie Watching as I Photograph the Others

At least I think it was Charlie. He was sitting right beside my left foot munching on kibble as I was taking photographs of his siblings. What a character!

Kimmie ready for winter

All fat and ready for winter. Kimmie is one very big raccoon! She is seldom with her brood now. Though they are still sticking together now, they are pretty well on their own.

They grow so fast!

This is just a quick photo of four of Kimmie's kits - now mostly full grown. A few months ago they were hardly bigger than your thumb. The red water dish in the background is 15 inches in diameter.

I just got lucky...

The hummingbird (one word?) moth came back. These are very fast moving, just like a real humming bird, though smaller. This species of moth is a daytime flyer. (And I think the only moth that is).

Humming bird moth

These guys don't sit still for an instant!