A Second Look--October 5, 2011

We took our Second Look this week in cold, drizzly weather, so it's only appropriate that we noticed changes that come with Fall including the weather. The leaves are just starting to turn different colors and the mushrooms abound. Also, for the first time, I noticed a subtle change in the color of the deer's coat. The reddish brown of the summer has changed to the grayish brown of the winter. This is one reason that I enjoy doing a second look. So much there to see, like the changes in the deer's coat, that I never noticed before.

Wally took the Second Look with me this week, so some of the pictures are his and some of them are mine.

This lovely mushroom actually had three protrusions growing out of it. One is hidden in the back.

Over the last month, the pink sedum has changed to a dark red. This is a very red year for sedum. It usually stays some shade of lighter pink. (Top picture taken beginning of Sept. and bottom picture taken beginning of Oct.)

The oak leaves are starting to go from green to brown. However, you can see that most of the tree is still green.

The tulip poplar leaves are starting to go from green to yellow . However, most of the leaves are still green as with the oak.

The maple tree, that has been virtually destroyed by a sapsucker, is desperately trying to save itself by producing large amounts of seeds.

I've discovered a new invasive vine in the yard--an Asiatic bittersweet.

Since I can't get too close to the deer, it was hard to get a shot showing the difference in their coat color. Even though the lighting is different in these shots, the colors are pretty true to what the eye sees--reddish brown for the summer (left) and grayish brown for the winter (right). Also, you can see that the fawns have lost their spots and are getting bigger. In addition, notice in both pictures, the mama is watching me ready to alert the others to danger. The fawns are clueless. Life is good when mama is watching out for you.

A Second Look--August 17, 2011

This week during a Second Look, I focused on the animals around us. It was a challenge to capture what I saw because I have a simple point and shoot digital camera with only a 4X zoom. Not the best thing for taking pictures of creatures that scattered every time I got within shooting range. Several pictures were actually taken out our kitchen window.  Anyway, here are a few things I saw this week around the yard.

This one of neighbor's cattle resting by our back fence.

We call this Tree of Heaven tree our woodpecker tree. Most years, woodpeckers "peck" out a nest here because the wood is very soft.

Adult male purple finch

Annie watching a black snake that is crawling in the basement window well.

Cardinal at the bird feeder.

 

Something had a nice snack from this goose egg.

What used to be our favorite maple tree until a sapsucker spent several years damaging it. It probably should be taken down sometime soon.

 

Bumble bee on blanket flower

Doe and fawn. There is another pair just behind them.

A Second Look, August 3, 2011

The heat continues and I don't want to be outside. I don't think many of the plants are happy out there either. However, I am excited that a small plant I got from a friend several years ago has finally started to bloom. I thought she gave me a hydrangea, but it turns out that I have a hibiscus. Also, when I first starting doing a Second Look, I thought I wouldn't repeat any plants. I would only take pictures of new things blooming. However, I have tossed that idea by the wayside. This time of year, I will show you anything that can survive the weather.


Here's what a found on a Second Look around the yard this week.

Balloon flowers

 

Yellow pear tomatoes

New hibiscus bloom

 Lone coneflower growing in middle of hibiscus bush

New sweet gum ball along with one hanging on from last year.

Marigolds

Coleus (Kong variety)

The deer are eating closer to the house as more plants are dying from the heat.

A Second Look--July 27, 2011

We were on vacation last week, so the yard didn't get its usual inspection. It has not fared well in 90-100 degree weather we have been having with little rain. Large (1/2"-1") dry cracks are forming in the ground and most plants are brown and drooping. The deer have discovered the hostas and tomatoes by our patio. Even with all of that being said, there are a few hearty flowers that are managing to provide some color.

Note: There are two pictures of Queen Anne's Lace (wild carrot). The first is a lacy white bloom and the second is similar with a dark spot in the middle of the bloom. This is the first time that I have noticed a dark spot and at first thought it was a bug--but it is part of the blossom. The legend has it that the flower was named after Queen Anne and the dark spot represents blood from a needle prick that happened while the Queen was making lace.

See what I found on a Second Look around the yard this week.

Day lily

I hope the deer enjoyed their hosta feast.

Black-eyed Susan

Queen Anne's Lace (wild carrot)

Queen Anne's lace with dark red bloom in middle

Downed branch from tulip poplar tree

Spike gay feather

Dry, cracking dirt

A Second Look 7-13-11

A Second Look around the yard this week provided some disappointment. We have been carefully watching our first tomato ripen. When it was just a few days away from perfection, we found it on the ground with several bites taken out of it. We're not sure what creature helped itself, but we suspect a squirrel. Maybe it was hungry because the cardinals have been spending a fair amount of time on the bird feeder. However, the squirrel still looks fat to me. 

Also, we have seen at least two different fawns, and just recently we have seen one without its mother close by. I guess it's growing up.

Here are some things I found this week around the yard.

Disappointing first tomato

Day lily bud starting to open

Hosta Blooms

Tiger lily

Pink yarrow

White balloon flower with katydid.

Cardinal guarding the bird feeder

Adventurous fawn