Lazy summer days

Pollination, you're doin' it right!

This bee was found a few days ago busily pollinating this Black-eyed Susan. Look how covered in pollen it is!
Speaking of busy, I'm glad someone is busy around here. Me, I've been sitting on my duff reading books and paddling around a lake, exerting very little effort to do much else. Isn't vacation grand?!  I haven't even had my camera out very much.

As you can see in the background behind this Ox-eye Daisy, the dock leads your eye to the beautiful clear water...



Dragonflies and damselflies are plentiful here, and big Dragon Hunters fly over the lake in search of easy prey. When they get tired, they like to land on the knee of an unsuspecting kayak paddler and take a little rest.

Unidentified (I didn't bring my field guide) damselfly resting on the dock. Beautiful.


I HOPE to get back on a regular blogging schedule soon. I hope you all are having a wonderful summer!

Hooray for July

Happy July everyone. I'm so glad it's here. There's lots to look forward to this month!

• We'll be taking our annual vacation to Michigan
• Making plans to meet not 1, but TWO of my blogging friends: Kelly (of Red and the Peanut) and Shelley (Birding in Northern Michigan/Northern Michigan Experience)
• Hummingbird banding demo at Lake Hope Nature Center
• Oh, and did I mention vacation in Michigan?

I'm in the process of trying to squirrel away some posts that will release while I'm gone.

In the meantime, please enjoy some pics from vacations past...



We'll spend plenty of time in our kayaks...




I'll take sunset photos...


- and late night shots of the lake...




I'll do some bird watching...


- and some critter watching...


... and I'll add more photos to my "artsy" collection.


What are YOUR plans for this summer?

Dreaming of summer (SWF)

I don't know what the weather's like where you are, but we've been having some yo-yo weather lately. Cold. Warmer. Warm! Cold. Really cold. Warm! Ugh!!!! I've got spring fever in a big way!

This time of year, I actually start getting so antsy for better, warmer, sunnier weather, that I skip ahead in my mind and start dreaming about summer!

I'm tired of wearing layers, tired of wearing long-johns and hats and scarves and boots. I want to wear shorts and Tevas! I wanna go paddling in my kayak, dang it!

Oh look, Dave's inviting us all to go for a paddle! I'll be right there honey!

All photos taken last summer during our time on Walloon Lake, Walloon, MI.

Want to see more sky photos? Then head on over to Skywatch Friday. You'll be glad you did.