FUN IN THE SUN - OR BUTTERFLIES ARE FREE - .. WHATEVER....

 Anyway, I have been having a great time spending moments with the butterflies.  There are a  few thistle bushes over at the lake and the Swallowtails have been in abundance over there.  These were taken on the first day I discovered them this week and the one Monarch that was flying around never landed that day while I was there.  Yesterday I went back out and finally the Swallowtails were absent so the one Monarch could land.  Those photos I'll post later of the Monarch.  Truly beautiful butterfly.   Oh and the bees add a wonderful touch.  I'm so glad bees don't scare me - They were swirling all around my hair while I was trying to take a photo.  I guess they liked the fragrance of my hair products.

Here are a few from the other day with the Swallowtails.  

Did you know that Thistle is the national emblem of Scotland!  I love to learn new things so I'll past that on to you who read.  

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?

OUT AND ABOUT TO VARIOUS NURSERIES THIS SPRING

 There is a garden center in Rim Forest called "The Corral".  They have beautiful things inside their shop and a really nice nursery area to walk through.  These are a few photos from there.  

A few days ago we visited another garden/nursery center in Cedar Glen and I was shocked by how much they had added since I first saw their opening a few years back.  I'll post those at another time.

THE FERALS PROVIDED A LOT OF ENTERTAINMENT

 And now that they have grown up and moved away I have my back deck to myself again.  I still can enjoy them through my photos.  I learned so much about cats in the five years ferals chose our property to hang out at.  

While living here they always had food, love, shelter from the snow in winter and lots of attention.  Many people that live in our area also fed the cats and we all enjoyed them around because they kept rodents away.  

There is only one grey cat that shows up out in the front driveway to eat the leftovers that Beanie (our indoor cat) doesn't eat so I put it out for him.  He never comes farther than the driveway.  I don't mind males around I just don't want females bringing their babies here anymore.

I have taken so many photos since 2016 when the cat occupation began  - everything from newborn kittens, to toddler kittens, teenagers and adults.  I actually am glad I had the opportunity to get to know their ways.

The bottom two photos are of my indoor cat who now I have trained to stay on the back deck and enjoy being outside.  I can't let her run around free because we keep her strictly indoors and keep her nails trimmed.  She wouldn't be able to defend herself if she got out.

(these cats pictured are just from the last batch of kittens in summer last year.)  

LILIAC BLOOM AND BUTTERFLY

 Visiting lilacs - She is a beautiful  "Common swallowtail" if my identification is correction.  She is a swallowtail for sure but there are different kinds.  Soon the "Painted Ladies" and the "California Sisters" will show up.  Sounds like I'm describing an afternoon tea party.  

I'm hoping a blogger friend, "Magyar" shows up and leaves a beautiful haiku on the page - and if you do Magyar - thanks so much.

  From MAGYAR a haiku.  Thank you!!

 flutterbye 

this stop to sniff a thought 

natures smile