Middle August, the songbirds have quieted down, the waterfowl are molting, grass is drying and going to seed. The forest seem quite as we walked around the lake yet to our surprise we encountered this Lesser Yellowlegs. Hard to believe the waders and shorebirds are already migrating south and summer slipping into fall.
A bounty of wildflowers with vibrant color bursting forth on a single stem.
Photographed early July on a single hike in Yellowstone NP.
Makes you want to pluck them up and use them as paintbrushes they are so full of color.
We recently had a chance to make a quick drive through Teodore Rosevelt Nation Park and were stuck by the wonderful, open and rugged nature of a landscape with plenty of room to roam and were also reminded of this quote by a President who many consider the greatest conservation Pesident our country has seen.
“We have become great because of the lavish use of our resources. But the time has come to inquire seriously what will happen when our forests are gone, when the coal, the iron, the oil, and the gas are exhausted, when the soils have still further impoverished and washed into the streams, polluting the rivers, denuding the fields and obstructing navigation.”
That quote spoken over one hundred years ago still rings true today and we are finding out what will happen.
Mr. Rosevelt we need you again today.
On a cloudy day a hike into the misty mountains yields much needed nature therapy. At first there is resistance but once the feet hit the trail and the rain jacket put on it all seems to feel just right.
It’s hard to believe that August is well on its way this year. Yes, time flows like water so I guess we just need to jump in and enjoy the flow. Happy Monday to all.
Water flowing along the Boulder river as a summer thunderstorm looms overhead.
Late summer moon rise in the sky above Shoshone Lake in Yellowstone National Park. We are already thinking about another trip there next year.
What does the Prairie Dog do to refuel after digging holes for several hours, reach for an energy bar or gatorade, no way a nice handful of dandelion green will do the trick.
Looking across the bay at a place, for reasons unbeknownst to us,we called Chocolate Mountain.
Clouds rolling in and the sea very calm made for a beautiful view.
East Greenland, 2013.
Two of a kind the Monarch Butterfly and its beautiful host plant Milkweed. It is well understood that loss Milkweed results in decreased numbers of Monarch Butterflies. A recent study by Bret Elderd and Matthew Faldyn from Louisiana State University suggest climate change can alter the chemical composition of Milkweed making it poisonous to Monarchs. Climate change, habitat loss and other human activities. Sometimes I wonder when the tipping point will come, if it has no already. Not just for Monarchs but for all life on earth.
For more Monarch Butterfly research articles I might suggest science daily.
There are landscapes you hear as well as see.
Playing you a subtle symphony.
A composition rich with harmony and a subtle quiet melody.
nature has no boss 
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