Dehydrated water, bugs and blooms

 It was an amazing weekend. Great to see the kids. JL went to Las Vegas for a few days for business and pleasure earlier in the week. It was 47 ℃ and the dry heat was horrible. 

JL flew, with 2 buddies, and real pilots on a Sky Combat Ace Extreme flying event. The three men flew with three pilots in a two-person plane. It was epic. He showed us the footage. He came home Friday, then they came for a sleepover Saturday night. 

He brought home a 'Close Eyes' for Caitlin.

Things are quieter here at the house. I'm watching the catterpigglies, as my mom used to call them. I have figured this one out. Yellow wooly bear moth! There is power in sticking together, I suppose.

Then there is this little fly!

oxomerus geminatus the Eastern Calligrapher, 

 a common species of syrphid fly 

The sphinx moths have been out in the dark. I showed them to Jo before bed.

It may or may not be these who appear on the camera. I may never know. Maybe I'll try when the bugs lessen.

On the weekend, Caitlin and I sat out front and watched the hummingbird going to this flower. I told her that the bees were chasing the hummer away!

Giant Knapweed and a honey bee!

Lobelia siphilitica, the great blue lobelia, or blue cardinal flower. I bought a plant at a pop-up plant sale up highway #511, and it has spread to give me 9 plants.

That time of year: water lilies! Can you see froggie?! It must be Jeremiah.

Garbage is out. So are the deerflies. Another day begins.