Orchard Time

Went to two different orchards last weekend. We decided to check out one we saw on TV in Indiana called Ditzler's Orchard. 

The commercial made it look like they had an amazing gift shop. In actuality it was very small. They did have the pick-your-own option, but it was chilly and misting rain, so we decided to get back in the car and drive to one we have been to before near Champaign, IL.

 All you do is follow the yellow brick road to...

Curtis Orchard.

We got in a little pick-your-own time. Enjoyable visit and very tasty apples. I think my favorite is Gala. Nice and sweet for snack time.

Happy Tuesday!

End of the Sunflowers

The sunflowers are almost gone for another year.

I'm still surprised the hummingbirds liked them.

The variety didn't seem to matter.

Another shot of Mr. Goldfinch.

Happy Sunday!

Sunflowers and Critters

Fall is in the air. 

The sunflowers are breathing their last breath and yesterday I saw a flock of geese flying south. 

This Skipper was enjoying a rest on a leaf.

 I couldn't ID this one. Closed...

...Open.

Happy Sunday!

LLC

The pups, Fergus and Findley, enjoy walking around Lincoln Log Cabin Historical Site. They like seeing the sheep, Ms Cow, and the chickens. They don't care much for the old boar hog. He grunts at them and they run.  

The sheep run loose these days. The dogs take the long way around them. They obviously do not have the herding instincts Border Collies should have. Too much easy living. 

Findley. Giving me his exasperated look. He doesn't like it when I stop to take pictures. He wants to get on with the walking and sniffing part.

This is a chicken coop. Glad to see they have received some funding for repairs. This looks like it will be a good fence when it is finished.

Photo credit - Granddaughter
The old fence was in dire need of repairs. The chickens didn't seem to mind. They had more freedom.

 Linking to Good Fences

Ducks on a Barrel

In the south edge of The Rez, someone has tossed one of the trash barrels into the water. It has been there for over a year and is more rusty now than the green it used to be.

The ducks don't seem to mind.

The lighting isn't the best, but I'll take what I can get when I can get it. I doubt they will still be there in the morning light. 

Happy Wednesday!

Molting Mallards

This isn't a very good time of the year for bird photography. The birds are starting to molt. Still I was happy and surprised to see these Mallards enjoying a meal at The Rez. 

As in the case of these Mallards. The lighting was less than desirable, so it was tough to get a decent shot. 

Happy Tuesday!

Hot Finch

This goldfinch had to stop and rest. He was a bit warm as you can see by the way he is holding his wings out to allow air flow. I guess even birds get hot in the summer.

Happy Monday!

Goldfinches

Not only do we have hummingbirds on the sunflowers, but we also have several goldfinches.

These shots were taken through the glass in the storm door. The birds were curious but as long as I didn't open the door they went about their business.

Happy Sunday!

Linking to the Bird D'pot

On a Wire

Easter Kingbird

Happy Friday!

The Train

Franklin, TN

Waiting for a train.

And here it comes!
Photo credit goes to Granddaughter.

Linking to Good Fences

Happy Thursday

Tired Hummer

It isn't often I see a Hummingbird at rest. 

 I think Ms. Hummer was trying to hide from me but couldn't resist a peek.

She stopped several times.

Happy Wednesday!

Another Dove

No walking for me yesterday. It was raining in the morning and low 90s in the afternoon. I waited until about 8:00 p.m., thinking I would go when it cooled off a little, but the air was so thick with humidity it was hard to breath. Hoping for a better day today, but the forecast isn't good.

Eurasian Collared-Dove

During Saturday's walk around The Rez, I found this guy watching me from a limb. 

I thought he was about to fly away...

...but he stood there a bit longer, watching me, and then flew away.

Happy Tuesday!

Sunday Morning Walk

Findley and I took off for our morning walk at about 8:30 Sunday morning. It was a nice morning for a walk, overcast but cooler than it would be later in the day.

We walked up to the courthouse and around the square.

Lots of progress on the new Physician's Clinic. I miss the old buildings that were once there. I got my treasured Choo Choo bag at the old store on the corner and we had a meal and gathering in the VFW Hall after my Grandma Burton passed away. But those buildings have been torn down to make way for this new building.

This is the old IGA store where my mom always bought groceries. When I was first married, I bought some hamburger here for 10 cents a pound. The store name is almost faded away, but I can still make out the words. Stuart's IGA Store.

We stopped so I could take another picture of the courthouse. Findley has finally gotten used to my frequent stops and now sits quietly, waiting until I'm ready to move on.

This grate has been in this same spot for as long as I can remember. Across the street was Kelly's Store where Bro O and I once bought baseball cards. The bubble gum was horribly brittle and stale, but the cards were awesome. I don't know where they went, probably burned with the trash. Too bad. Some would be valuable today.

We walked by home on our way to The Rez and admired our flowers...

 ...and our Hyacinth Beans. 

They are in full bloom and will soon cover the railing.

We walked to the far side of The Rez. The ducks were out. The juveniles are looking more like adults these days. By the time we started our loop around the road it started sprinkling rain. And then it stopped, so we continued on with the last loop. And then it started pouring!

Findley and I waited out the downpour under the shelter of one of the pavillions. 30 minutes later the rain died down to a nice soft rain, so we walked on home. We were still drenched!

Happy Monday!

Sunflowers and Hummingbirds

Yesterday was a nice warm day, 88°. Although thunder and dark clouds caused Findley and I to hurry through our morning walk, it didn't rain. It seems our sunflowers like this rainy year. We have a good crop and more to come.

(Note the Findley photo bomb)

We have grown sunflowers beside our storage shed since we've lived here. 

I always see Goldfinches, Cardinals and other birds, but have never seen a Hummingbird enjoying the flowers until yesterday when this little lady showed up.

 She liked the yellow flowers...

 ...red flowers...

 ...and multicolored blooms.

Happy Sunday!

Linking to the Bird D'pot

Bee Day

As a child, I was stung many times—that is until my father told me to stand perfectly still if one landed on me. His theory was if I didn't scare them, they would merely investigate and take off without stinging. This actually worked. I don't think it would be advisable if a swarm of bees was headed ones way though.

Coneflowers seem to be a hit with the bees. Bro O's house.

Lincoln Log Cabin Historical Site

Same location only joined by a butterfly.

A deviation from the Coneflower. Bro O's house.

A milkweed on a country road.

Happy Saturday!