Summer flies by

The water fountain needed work. I always have to clean it halfway through summer. I took it apart. The deerflies were flying. I wore pants.

We've really hard water. There are always deposits that build up on the pump. I cleaned it out.

That looks a lot better!

Our milkweed has the first Monarch caterpillar I've spotted. The first one was July 27.

I found more! I spotted our one Monarch laying more eggs. They eat a hole once they hatch, which is a good sign. The leaves are covered in aphids, the wasps and ants eating the aphid poop. It doesn't seem to matter to the caterpillar, I think.

It's a good supply of milkweed. 

 

The Tiger Lilies are in full bloom.

The Cedar Waxwings zoom about, peeping their pipsqueak sounds, like a little squadron.

Float plane overhead:

Butterflies abound, Black Swallowtail, Monarchs!

Cinnamon was watching for mice friends. Fred was feeding. We haven't only seen Fred for the past few days. I am hopeful but not optimistic.

My veggies are limited this year. I have a couple of cucumbers. Cross your fingers.

 

We had a nice storm yesterday afternoon. There was smoke from the fires out west. It cleared the air. I took a panoramic photo for fun. 

We're on the edge of a storm today.