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.

5-23-10 Nature Renews

It amazes me how nature takes care of itself. Here in a decayed part of a tree, a plant is starting to grow.

5-22-10 A Day of Geocaching

This morning I met some of my DEN (Discovery Education Network) friends in Pawnee Prairie Park (SW Wichita) for a morning of geocaching. We had a lot of fun, but ended up on the wrong side of the creek and had to wade back across the spillway to return.

5-21-10 Simply Weathered

Keilo & I have walked by this white picket fence all week, and it wasn't until today that I noticed the flowers along the pickets. Although the blooms are past their prime, they look as weathered as the fence.

5-20-10 Yellow Daylilies

This is the first daylily to bloom of the season. With all the rain we have been receiving, more should be blooming soon.

5-19-10 Mr. Blue Jay

We have a pair of blue jays that hang out either in our trees or nearby. I've tried for several days to catch this one, but he's been elusive until today. I'm really going to have to get a bird feeder so I can watch more of our bird life.

5-18-10 Dog Tired

Here's Keilo & Charlie crashed out after a day at the lake.

5-17-10 White-Tailed Doves

We have a pair of white-tailed doves that have taken up residence in our neighborhood. These two will roost on our deck railing or the roof of our house. Tim thinks they have a nest in our oak tree.