SEVERAL TIMES THIS SUMMER

 I've gone over to the lake where nearby there is a ball field that hasn't been used for that purpose for several years.  Wildflowers sprout in summer over there.  There wasn't as many as there usually are because the new company who manages the lake has mowed a few times so there are only patches here and there I can find that wasn't mowed down, usually by the fence line.

There is also a creek that flows with water that empties into the lake.  It's pretty much dry these days but beautiful wildflowers grow in abundance in that area.   

WHAT THE HECK IS GOING ON - SAYS THE TURTLE

 I caught these birds visiting the turtle today.  I don't know what to do about it except...well...let them visit for a bit.   He's tough - he can handle it even though he looks disturbed.

 Certainly they mean him no harm.

Or do they?

A MONARCH VISITS THE YARD

 I was so excited as I had never seen a Monarch in the time since I have lived  here in the mountains.  I had only ever seen them at Lake Arrowhead and that was closer to autumn.  

I happened to plant this particular "blood" plant (can't remember the official name just the nickname) and was sitting outside yesterday when this butterfly came by.  It stayed around the plant for quite a while.  I took a lot of photos but will just post a few.  I kind of like the ones where it was flying.  The last photo I believe is a Cloudless Sulphur butterfly.

So how's your summer going?  Any fun things or  out of the ordinary things you have seen  - ...  weather okay in your area?