Rain Dance!

We received 1 1/2" of rain yesterday!!  Friends in town reported only one inch.

The photos below show the best "panoramic" view I could get of the front just before it came to town.  I was parked at a restaurant near the new Goodwill store...

As a result, my three water barrels are full! :-)

 This is the best I could do to show you WATER!

:-)

Happy Shady G!

Surprise Visitor Today!

It's been so dry around here...  it's very discouraging.  Besides a couple of .2" of rainfall . . . it hasn't rained for 8 weeks.  Solid. I don't want to show you photos of the flower beds, it's depressing.  I do continue to water very occasionally, just to keep Most things afloat, but it's taking its toll.

On a Brighter note... a MUCH brighter note, as you will soon see... look who visited today!  Looking for a drink, obviously!  :-)

Mr. Baltimore Oriole!

This photo was taken from the garage...

  And this one was taken from the driveway... very patient bird!

Look for Baltimore Orioles high in leafy deciduous trees, but not in deep forests: they’re found in open woodland, forest edge, orchards, and stands of trees along rivers, in parks, and in backyards.

As soon as he'd discerned I was finished taking photos, he hopped onto the hummingbird feeder for a drink.

:-)

Green Thumb Sunday - August 21, 2011

Outside . . .

 And Inside!

 

Thank You Mr. Shady!

I went on a Tea Party/Garden Lover bus tour with friends today!

While I was gone, just LOOK at what Mr. Shady did for me!!

(SW corner of the house)

 Look closely at the front left support above.  Do you see a hose that heads up to the side of the house?

Now, look at the photo below....

see where that hose ends up?

So- when the barrel is empty, I have easy access to the pay-for water.

 The water barrel below (SE corner of the house) was created last year... in the background,

you can see the water barrel highlighted above!

One more new water barrel below...  this is the NE side of the house - 

right by the lily bed.

Let it rain, Let it rain, Please let it rain! 

:-)

Not On MY Turf!

Crab Spider on Purple Coneflower

or

Misumena vatia on Echinacea purpurea

Would you like to know some facts? 

1.  The Crab Spider can change its color to camouflage with its surroundings.  It may take a few days, but it can be white, yellow or green.  They eat insects and are poisonous - but not harmful to humans.  :-)  

The Crab Spider sits on flowers, waiting for its prey.  When it lands close enough, the spider grabs its prey with its claw like front legs.  The male is smaller than the female.  This information, and more, is available at this site:  Crab Spider.

2.  Purple Coneflower is a native wildflower found in the midwest and southeastern United States.  It self seeds and is easily propagated.  It thrives in full sun to partially shaded conditions.  More information is available at this site.  Purple Coneflower.

Peek-a-boo through a dirty kitchen window!