A PHOTO OF MY GRANDSON AND THE BIRD HIS MOM BROUGHT INTO OUR LIVES WHEN HE WAS BORN

 Hunter who is now 19, had so much fun with this bird as he was growing up and a lot of that time was spent at our house where we eventually inherited the bird. I saw this photo the other day and remembered the good times he had with her and I also enjoyed her.

FOUND THESE OLD PHOTOS

 They were taken about 15 years ago while i was sitting on the front porch of my previous house when these doves flew in to eat.  I went by the property the other day and so much has been changed - even more so than the last visit several months ago.   We use to walk down a trail behind our house that led  to a canyon and on to a waterfall.  That area is totally dry and dead looking.  We got a lot of rain the other day and i'm hoping whatever rain they got down there will help it green up a bit.

LONG-HAIRED BUFFALO

 We went to Oak Glen awhile back and on the way is a long haired buffalo ranch where the fence comes close to the highway.  We pulled over and I  got out of the car to get a photo.  This guy came right up to me.  I think if I had stayed for awhile he would have also.  He seemed friendly.  I imagine a lot of people stop by on their way to Oak Glen so he is probably use to people.  

TESTING ..WHY ISN'T A PHOTO SHOWING UP.

The last two days photos aren't showing up on the front page.   

This is a photo I took the other day at our lake.  I've been out every day and really focusing on some of the wildflowers that crop up this time of year in our mountains.  Trying to learn the names of them.  There at a lot of photos this time.

This top one i will be trying to find out what it is...

GREEN WATER AT SHORELINE - EGRET

CLOUDLESS SULPHUR

 I saw this guy yesterday over at Lake Arrowhead.  We did our shopping at Stater's and then went down by the shoreline and I was taking photos of some Gallardia plants when this butterfly flew in and landed.  As far as I can tell it's a male. 

It was a beautiful cloudy/sunny day.  As we left and were out on the road going towards Blue Jay one of the  houses we pass all the time when taking this route, looked pretty with the soft lighting so of course i got a photo. I think I have well over 100 photos of this same house.  I take its' photo often.

Hoping to get back out today - weather is a bit cooler, high 80's so  until winter comes and snow falls each day will get cooler and more seasonal with fall weather up here.  (Unless we have another heat wave in store).

FLOWERS AND THISTLE BUSHES

I'm confused on the thistle bushes.  I have posted them elsewhere and someone calls them Purple nettle - ...I've look it up and there are a few photos of purple nettle that kind of look like this.  I've always called it thistle.

Anyway -i have tons of butterfly photos around the thistle and i'll eventually post them. 

Saw more flowers that i liked.  These were over near Lake Arrowhead.

Hard to believe September is basically here.  This is the time in the mountains where we will begin to see some fall colors.  At lower levels where I use to live fall didn't really start until November and went through January - always so beautiful down there in the valley when fall colors began.

I'm lucky because I can experience fall up here and when it's over and winter is settling in with snow i can go down the mountain and be in autumn again.

1.  Thistle bushes at Lake Gregory

2.  Scene over at Lake ARrowhead on a foggy day.  One of the many boat docks.  

3.  Love these flowers and spent flower balls.

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?