There was no trail time this week but there was time in the backyard and some highway driving so I got to view the beautiful yellow canola fields.

This is the first year that all the perennials are in full bloom. I planted a lot of them when I eco-scaped my yard and the fruits of my labor paid off. I've only had to water the garden beds and the containers that hold my annual flowers. The shrubs and perennials are doing what they are supposed to be doing; flourishing no matter what the weather.

The sea buckthorn is six feet tall and producing fruit. The haskap is a couple feet tall and had fruit for the first time. The ninebarks are spreading to about five feet across and are a food source for the chickadees and sparrows.

The Asiatic and day lilies brighten the yard with oranges, yellows and pinks. The beebalm and the coneflowers are about to open. The bumblebees will love that. For now, they are enjoying the red flowers on the scarlet runner beans.

This week I've seen butterflies, dragonflies, frogs and bees in the yard. The hummingbirds visit frequently. The young bluejays have finally left their nest. So much action just off the back deck.

I experienced two storms within the past week. One dropped 40mm of rain and the other 25mm. All the rain barrels are full again.

I purchased a little solar fountain for the birdbath with the hopes that the hummingbird will be lured to it for a shower. I wasn't sure how well it would work but as long as it is sunny, the pump produces a fountain that is about a foot tall.

During the weeks that I can't get out to the trails, it is great to spend the time in the yard just watching the happenings of Mother Nature outside my door.