What a difference a day makes

Howdee all,

It was a bit scary yesterday here in NC with all the storms going thru. 

Storm clouds in the distance…

I was alone, Jeff was in Boston, My Sicksta and her husband were at work. I was watching the weather radar and saw the storms approaching…I took my prized possessions, Cameras, computer, binoculars and my Cat from our homey and went next door to the house.

The plan was to pile into the bathroom with the two dogs and cat if the radar looked ominous. I watched the radar for a few hours and turned on my weather radio. It was pretty ugly on the radar..but luckily nothing but thunder, lightening and rain here.

It was very sad to find out that lives were lost and homes and businesses destroyed.

What a difference a day makes…

Today was sunny and beautiful.

I made rocks today…to finish this pathway to the patio that we made a few years earlier…One bag of cement~some peat moss~water…

Walkway finished…

The Great-crested Flycatcher returned today..and was wreeeeeping around the yard.

I went across the street into the woods to look for Morel mushrooms..

I do find other things in the woods..like…

This snake that blocked my path and would not budge…The remains of a cardinal..

Most likely eaten by the resident Coopers Hawk…

I need to speak to him…I much rather he take a few Brown-headed Cowbirds that have been pigging out at the feeders…

Ferns unfolding…

And mushrooms that aren't Morels…

This looks like a Russula ..

NO MORELS

So I left the woods and back in the yard..

The Chickadees that live in the moon have little ones..

I see them both going in and out with goodies for the kids…

There are more flowers starting to bloom in Sickstas garden….

After a busy day…of Rock making~bird watching~mushroom hunting…

I made dinner for three…we watched the birds as we ate…

After Dinner

…Sicksta does her walk around…and while she was walking around she found these…

What are they?Strange looking bugs????

And another day comes to a close………………

I will listen for the Whip-poor will tonight..and watch the Flying Squirrels before closing my eyes…

I hope those affected by the tornado will have some peace.

Sweet Dreams…

Beaver Ponds Hike

Howdee all,

Beaver ponds hike was a short 5 mile loop around a few ponds near Mammoth hot springs.

Beaver Ponds Loop Trail
Round trip distance: 5 mile loop trail

Climb: easy-moderate
Difficulty: easy-moderate

Trail Description: The trail begins in Clematis Gulch between Liberty Cap and the stone house. It follows the creek up Clematis Gulch, climbing 350 feet through spruce and fir trees. The beaver ponds are reached after hiking 2.5 miles through open meadows of sage and stands of aspen. Mule deer, pronghorn antelope, moose, beaver dams and lodges, and occasionally bear may be sighted in the area. There are spectacular views as you wind your way back to Mammoth

It was a nice way to start off our Yellowstone trip.

The clouds were beautiful but it looked like we might get a shower.   Last time Jeff and I did this hike we saw a Bear sow and her cub.

No bear sightings this time.

We did see a few interesting things.

This amazing metallic blue bug!

Is this a type of flea beetle?

Lots of Grasshoppers…..

Some very interesting mushrooms

Stalked puffball

and a lichen heart(Sorry Sicksta Dell..couldn't take it out of the park)

My camera battery was losing juice

This was the last photo I took before the rain..and before

The Rainbow…

luckily Jeff had his camera  and he captured a few photosI pieced two of his photos together to show you how incredible this was.. What a wonderful way to start out our trip to Yellowstone..More hikes to come….see you soon!