Life in the Backyard

The rain clouds parted and the sun shone through so I could mow down the dandelion patch in my backyard.  I still think a grazing black bear would make things more interesting.

As I mowed, I noticed an increased presence of insects and birds.  A goldfinch was feeding at one of the feeders.  It would fly from the feeder to a nearby willow tree and sing its sweet songs from the upper branches.  

A little house wren sat at the top of the old rotting tree stump.  It was checking out the holes left by a pileated woodpecker.  In the early spring, a pair of tree swallows used the largest hole for a nest.  The wren appeared to be checking out the hole for the same reason.  As I came closer to the stump it flew up into the willow.  The finch and the wren took turns singing their songs.

The blue jays frequented the tray feeder for a supply of nuts and the robins were busy looking for worms in the wet clay soil.  In addition to the bird activity, the butterflies were busy.  Some of the flowers that I planted have opened up and they seem to be a favorite for the swallowtails.  They flitted from blossom to blossom; resting at times on a warm rock.

I took a break and was going in to the house when I noticed a strange bug.  The antennae were longer than the entire bug's body.   As I looked at it, I wondered how it could actually fly.

Blue damsel flies were flying everywhere.  I was hoping they were going to take care of the mosquitoes that left bulging welts on my leg.

The grass got mowed and the cup of coffee on the deck was enjoyed.  The sun's rays shone down all afternoon but there are large dark clouds building up in the west.  Here comes the rain again.