Butterfly Bushes

I have three butterfly bushes in my backyard.

Two are purple and then one is...

this color, this one is my favorite.

It has gotten big...

it was much bigger than this but the landscaper decided it needed a "haircut"

and chopped about half of the width off this spring.

I cried...a lot.

It's first bloom was outstanding, it was filled with so many gorgeous flowers.

Beside the butterflies, the bees love it.

These blonde/golden carpenter bees have been hanging around also...

Here you can see the pollen basket or sac.

- anyone who thinks they are too small to make a difference, has never met a honey bee -

oooooh Deer

 On our way home Sunday night, after golf and after dinner...

we saw a beautiful herd of deer lit up in a field as the sun was starting to set.

If you know us, you know we eat early, like old people, like was pointed out in yesterday's post.

Getting back to the deer, they were so beautiful, showing off the reddish brown color they are now.

The light in the field was particularly bright, yet perfect, picture perfect.

After seeing the deer and a spin around was required to get pictures.

The bubs never minds, he's really good at it!

The long view pictures I took were all blurry, focusing on the weeds rather than the deer.

I took some pictures from inside the car, so as not to frighten them.

Some people walked by on a path and the deer did not budge, they did not even lift their heads.

I decided to get out of the car, and I walked toward the deer...

at that point I was only about 50 feet away from the deer.

They were interested in me, but did not run off.

I took way too many pictures when the hubs yelled from the car: 

"you might have enough pictures, you think?"

- look how beautiful -

Sharing today's images with Eileen at 

Viewing Nature With Eileen 

for Saturday Critters

Smugglers Quay Adventure Golf

 There were a few spins I could put on this story, two to be exact...

the truth, or the story the pictures tell.

Sunday, we went to play miniature golf, we call it putt-putt.

We have many to choose from but it was so hot and humid we drove down to the beach area, 

thinking it would be cooler.

When we parked and got out of the car, it seemed cooler.

"Seemed" is the operative word here.

We parked, paid to park, yes we have to do that and headed in the entrance to pay.

It was twenty two dollars, that sounded kinda' cheap but when I looked at the prices on the board,

she had given us the senior discount.

What...

 I was not sure I was happy about that, she didn't ask us, didn't ask to see our drivers license,

is it really that obvious?

Yes, it is!

Next, the all important ball color selection.

I'm sure you know how that went, purple for me, blue for the hubs.

We selected the 18 hole course and after 11 holes, I could barely walk I was so hot.

Sweat was dripping down my back and I seriously remember very little after that...

so there is the truth but wait until you see the fabulous pictures we took,

I could have told you anything and you would have thought we had an amazing time!

I always try to stay positive, so,

we had a blast for 4 maybe 5 holes,

after that, it is all a blur!

and a ps, because Jim asked...

it was a tie, can you believe that.

- 34 to 34 -

Spring Lake

 Named after the towns beautiful lake, Spring Lake, is a great spot for a walk around its namesake.

A sweet beach town, it's the perfect place to walk and enjoy the old homes, 

ancient trees, and the gorgeous landscapes.

They also have a lot of very unique shops in town.

A few years back, Spring Lake made all these improvements to the walkways around the lake.

It's especially great for people fishing and people enjoy them to sit and enjoy the view.

The rain stopped and we had another great day...get out and have some fun!

Wise Words On Sunday

 

Saturday Critters #497

I am happy and thankful for all of the sunshine and beautiful blue skies we had last week,

and the drought...yes, can I say that, we were experiencing a drought.

This week we have had sunless skies and lots of rain. 

Last week I saw several 

Egrets

Egrets are herons, long legged wading birds...that have white plumage,

that develop fine plums during mating season.

Cormorants

Cormorants are large waterbirds.

They can hold their breath for several minutes and dive up to 150 feet under water to catch a fish.

This Osprey is in the town Spring Lake.

I visit and photograph this bird often and I am hoping to see babies soon.

Sharing today's images with Eileen at 

Viewing Nature With Eileen 

for Saturday Critters