Extraordinary Walk At Green Valley Lake

 

We hadn't been out to Green Valley Lake for awhile and while it was nice and cool, we went out there to walk.

The first thing I noticed where we parked was this forest of Monarda in the morning sun and shadows.

HD took off at his usual fast pace while I dawdled along best as I could with my bad hip, enjoying a favorite hobby - stopping to take pictures along the way.

A bug noshing on a pink and white morning glory, aka hedge bindweed.

I love the bruised black and blue of these little berries.

Are they edible? Do the birds like them?

I didn't even try to identify what they are. To me, they are beautiful, photo worthy shining in the morning sun.

(Addendum: After a deliberate search, I think this is  Common Dogwood.)

 

This Pinkweed was so brilliant.

Every time I see it now, I remember thinking, almost my entire life, that it was pig weed because I had misunderstood when my mother (my very first teacher of all things, especially in the world of nature) told me it was pinkweed and I heard pig weed.

A young Sycamore tree with its pendulous fruit on display. 

Some more pink morning glories with a few of those black and blue berries.

Just a shy little wallflower.

The Eastern Kingbird.

It is a large flycatcher native to the Americas.

Queen Anne's Lace, Monarda (aka Bergamot, Horsemint, Bee Balm) and Purple Prairie Clover all arrayed around the broken stump of a tree.

"Don't tread on me!"

At least I imagine that is what this feisty little snake was trying to intimate. 

Big Bluestem (I think) leaning out over the water.

The main thing that made this an extraordinary walk was that Hubby Dearest went over 15,000 miles since he began running and walking. 

The first 10,000 was running. The next 5,000 have been running/walking.

I thought that achievement should be made at a more significant locale than just around the neighborhood. 😘

All the time I was walking I hoped I would see at least one butterfly. But, alas.

Then, at the very last moment before leaving, I saw this beautiful Black Swallowtail. 

I almost missed it entirely!

The extraordinary morning continued this afternoon when I saw the triplet fawns for the first time since glimpsing them on July 9. I just happened to look out the window as they were going up the hill.

-- A case of being in the right place at the right time. Maybe that's what life is all about?