Thursday, July 14, 2011

Sunny days at the Vermilon River. A Post to SWF

Fair Skies






Much like everyone else we've had on again and off again weather. It's inhibited my hiking, but the forest is still healthy with the rainfall, and full of life.
Stormy Skies

Still Looking for a Sun dog.

Red Squirrel

Red Squirrel

Wild Chicory.
The Red Squirrel was pretty active which as I said  earlier is a surprise since he is on every one's lunch menu. We don't have grays or blacks here. It was great finding the Chicory, as I don't remember it from last year.



Common Milkweed.




 And I'll bet you didn't think common milkweed was so attractive when it flowers. I read on another web site that it has many medicinal properties.


It's that time of year for the goldenrod's to flower. Fortunately Boom and I are not allergic to them.
One of the Goldenrod's.

Ripening Blueberries.



We saw lots of human berry pickers out,but no bears. The berries are sold through co-ops and sold at a premium in grocery stores as wild berries although smaller are much sweeter than farm grown ones.


Vipers Bugloss.

Dragonfly
No post would be complete without some insects or birds. So here they are. I included some current shots of Huegy, our pet crow, and much to Boomer's chagrin a picture of his mate. Huegy, if you look closely has a gray feather on one wing. A scar from all the fights with the blackbirds. That's how I recognize him. He also calls out to us on our morning walks looking for peanuts probably.


I'll post this to Sky Watch Friday. And maybe to camera Critters and scenic Sunday. I'm putting this information here as the great Blogger/ Google is telling me there is no java script at the bottom of the page.

 Just a quick note: The new lens I referred to in my last post was new last year, not this year. I just think you sort of grow into technical things. It's a Sigma 150-500mm lens and I'm really pleased with it.
Female Goldfinch.

Mourning Dove.

Northern Flicker.

Huegy

Huegy's Mate

36 comments:

  1. thanks for letting us know about huegy's feather and how you differenciate him from the other crows. :) all of those are great shots. (wish we could grab some of your rain!)

    i have a sigma 150-500 and i love it. it's my 'standard' that i keep on my camera (of course i'm not traipsing in the woods and rivers either...)

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  2. Great shots, love them all!
    The squirrel is beautiful!
    Have a great weekend.

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  3. All the shots are great as usual, but I especially like the one of the blueberries. :)

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  4. Great post Gary. It's always nice to be able to identify individual birds. We have a Buzzard with a missing tail feather here.

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  5. Those red squirrels are so cute. The one I saw at my feeder never showed up again. I suppose something got him. Your pictures are so wonderful, as usual. I look forward to opening your blog, just to see all of the lovely plants and critters.

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  6. What a great collection. The milkweed is especially beautiful, and the birds are fabulous.

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  7. Awesome skies! And adorable squirrel :) Cute bird friends too. Thanks for the welcome back, by the way!

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  8. Another set of wonderful shots!

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  9. stunning shots of the sky...love it! thanks for dropping by @ explorerminded.com

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  10. I certainly love your post, but I've never known a mauve dragonfly.

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  11. Your fauna and flora is beautiful Gary and I never get tired of your images.

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  12. How much fun it is to read your posts and view all of your pictures. I can't believe your blueberries are so much further ahead than ours!!~karen

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  13. Beautiful shots of birds and flowers.

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  14. Beautiful photos again, Gary. I really miss seeing squirrels, but have to be content with the little guys we call gophers, which are actually Richardson's Ground Squirrels.
    We have mourning doves, however, and they're getting quite used to everyone in the neighbourhood. I got within a few feet of one today while carrying parcels and not a camera.
    We see Northern Flickers occasionally but not often enough for me. I think they're gorgeous.
    Also nice to see Huegy and his mate. Poor Boom. Getting used to one bird is enough, but two? LOL

    —Kay, Alberta, Canada

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  15. I have never seen a purple dragonfly before. I hope I will IRL too :)
    I love to shoot dragonflies :)

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  16. your photo series are always a visual treat. I love the blueberries, and Huegy. it's wonderful that he's your "pet" crow. sort of reminds me of the little guy in Shawshank Redemption, who lived in Brooks' shirt pocket! thanks for visiting my blog, I truly appreciate it. I hope you and Boom are having a fun weekend, and staying cool.

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  17. Oh, you wonderful world! Great photos of the birds and flowers. Would love to visit:-)

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  18. Sky/clouds, squirrel, dragongly, flowers, birds, all are beautiful shots. Great post.

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  19. I thought you were bringing all those dogs up here to traipse through the woods Texwisgirl.

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  20. Thry're ripe now Lois and good too!!

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  21. I think Huegy is clever enough to know us Adam!!

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  22. Look at the new post Louise!! I ate the berries!!

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  23. The milkweed is filled with insects Sara, and some sting, but they're mostly drunk on the nectar.

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  24. Great to have you back Johnny.

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  25. Wait until you see the next one Bob!!

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  26. Hi Kay. Boom's wrath is pretty quiet with the heat. He'll sraighten everything out shortly.

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  27. Look at the next post Bergitta!!

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  28. Anytime you're ready, Spiderdama.

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