6-14-10 Life on the Prairie

The lake we go to is in the heart of the Flint Hills, in Northeastern Kansas. This is over looking a farmer's ranch near the lake. The gate and poles frame the shot.

6-13-10 Flooding at the Lake

Last night, we had over 4 inches of rain in a very short amount of time. This caused the city lake to come out of it's banks. In the 38 years we've been going to this lake, I've rarely seen this happen. The lake does have a natural spillway that empties into the federal reservior, so it won't be out of it's banks for very long. However, tonight, the forcast is for more rain.

6-12-10 Molly and the Squirrels

Our neighbors dachshund, Molly, loves to chase the squirrels. Once she has chased one up a tree, she will sit there for 30 minutes or longer waiting for it. What she doesn't realize is that the squirrel has crawled along the branches, jumped to another tree and is telling all of his squirrel friends how he has once again, slipped away from that crazy canine.

6-11-10 Totem Pole

Not sure if these people are Native American, Alaskan, or just like to have totem poles. They have had this at the lake for years.

6-9-10 Floating on Water

The Daily Shoot suggested, "place or find a subject floating on water". So after two days of rain, our backyard is looking like a small pond. With that in mind, I cut this daylily bloom and floated it on our small pond.

6-8-10 The Gift of Flight

There is a grass airfield across the road at the lake. This ultralight aircraft spent some time flying over the lake. I wonder what the lake looks like from up there?

6-7-10 Old Boathouse

This is the side-door of our neighbor's boathouse at the lake. I thought it made an intesting picture.

6-6-10 Sedgwick County Zoo

This sculpture/artwork is across from the Sedgwick County Zoo. We were on our way home from the lake and I snapped when I snapped the picture.

6-5-10 Pool or Spa?

Saw this sign at a garage sale and couldn't resist!!!! This actually is our outhouse at the lake. Yes, we actually used an outhouse for many years. (20+-some to be exact!) It wasn't until around 1999 or so that we finally got indoor plumbing. We were supposed to knock the outhouse down, but j-u-u-s-s-t haven't gotten around to it yet.

6-4-10 Orange Lilies

I noticed last night that my orange lilies had bloomed. This is the first year they have been this big, thick, and bright.

6-3-10 Sittin' On the Dock

I was sitting on the dock and saw this shot. I just liked the composition.

6-2-10 Local Wildlife

Here are some the local wildlife at the lake. For many years now they have been on the lake. I love watching them land on the water.

6-1-10 Little Peter Cottontail

Found this baby rabbit in the yard today and couldn't resist. He (or she) let me get pretty close before it hopped back into the daylilies for protection.

5-31-10 Eating At the Feeder

Caught this bird (not sure what kind) at my neighbor's feeder today. It was fun watching the birds come and go, especially a blue jay, who was too large to perch on the feeder.

5-30-10 Honeysuckle

Down by the lake, we have a patch of honeysuckle that grows back every year. When the breeze is blowing just right you can smell the sweetness. I remember when I was a kid, I would pick the blossom, pinch the end of the blossom and pull the stamen out very slowly to reveal the drop of necture at the end, then put it up to my mouth to taste the sweetness. Yummm.....

5-29-10 A Homeless Birdy

Went walking with Keilo today and found a bird's nest that had been blown out of the evergreen tree above. Looking at the branches I could see how easy it was to have become dislodged.

5-28-10 Cottonwood Country

Went to the lake (located in the Flint Hills) today and wondered what this white stuff was on the ground. Upon closer look, determined that the Cottonwoods were in bloom. In this part of the state (Northeastern Kansas) Cottonwoods are plentiful. This cotton-y stuff helps to carry the seed in the Kansas wind.

5-27-10 New Lawn & Landscape

Wanted to show off what I've been doing this past week. Our daughter and son-in-law bought a new house and now are putting in their lawn and landscaping. After four days of work, the front yard is about ready to be seeded. The backyard is a different story! The backyard is nothing but clay. I'm amazed that anything will grow in it. Son-in-law has been rototilling it to break it up and trying to mix sand into it. Now I know what type of material the settlers built their sod houses out of.

5-26-10 Another Old Barn

I found this barn on my way home from my daughter's house. Looks like it has seen better days.

5-24-10 Daisy, Daisy...

"Daisy, Daisy, give me your answer true...". I love seeing a field full of wild daisies.