Last Day of June ...

And My Little Piece of the Prairies is 
Starting to Bloom!

Good bye June.  I'm not sure sure where you went but here you are saying 'good bye!'  Was it something I said or did?  Haha!  I'm not really sure I am ready for you to leave but I don't think there is much choice in the matter.  On the bright side, you are leaving me with some sun, LOTS of mosquitoes and summer blossoms!  The Great Blanket Flowers or Gaillardia (Gaillardia aristata) are beginning to nod their sunny faces across the prairie landscape!  ... I love this land we call the prairie!  

Escaped ...

The day that is!  It was a busy one and not one for my camera.  So as the sun went down and the moon made its appearance ... I snapped these summer evening clouds!  It's still beautiful outside ... 17C and no wind.  However, the mosquitoes will certainly pack you off!

Snips and Snails ...

And puppy dog tails,

That's what little boys are made of!

Mother Goose

Well, I don't know if my boys are exactly made of snips and snails but they certainly are 'Boys' at heart!  Today was their first official day of summer holidays together as our oldest just finished school yesterday!  With that being said ... these 'brothers' couldn't wait to set out on some adventures today and what a day it was!  Let's just say they had 'fun in the sun!'  Building a tipi/fort on our front lawn was ONLY the beginning and ONLY one of the adventures they had today!  I think the hound dogs are happy their 'kids' are home for summer as well!  I know Mom is!  

Good Night Sun

Clouds come floating into my life, no longer to 

carry rain or usher storm, but to add 

color to my sunset sky.  

~Rabindranath Tagore

The sun finally returned late this afternoon ... it battled with the remains of storm clouds for most of the day!  However, lets hope it sticks around for a few days.  We've had the moisture, now we need sun, sun, sun!  With that being said ... 'Good Night Sun, I hope to see your return in the morning!'

A Rainy Day at the ZOO!

Humboldt Penguins

Gentoo Penguins

Rockhopper & King Penguins

The Andean Condor!

I was lucky enough to spend the day with my eldest on his school year-end field trip to the Calgary Zoo (http://www.calgaryzoo.org).  Although it rained and my camera for the most part stayed tucked away where it was dry ... it still managed to take in the PENGUINS and the incredible Andean Condors!!!  Such impressive birds!  We had a great day ... another damp day ... but still a great day!

Hmm ... Shorebird?

There are just days (sometimes weeks, months or seasons ... ) I swear I can't operate my camera ... and today was no exception!  I was 'fiddling' with my settings ... just playing around ... something I find I need to do once in awhile ... but sure enough, that's when I would get fairly up close and personal with a beauty of a shorebird and not get my settings set back properly!  UGH!  I had my ISO way out of whack ... so these are a bit grainy!  Anyhow, I'm not too bad at 'birding' but shorebirds are definitely one of my nemesis!  With that being said ... this shorebird has me stumped, so if you know what it is ... please let me know!

Damp Day

You could certainly watch that lil' thunderstorm building in the SW this am and by early this afternoon, the rain was falling.  Just enough moisture to make it a damp day!

Mr. & Mrs. Red-winged Blackbird!

A bird does not sing because it has an answer.  

It sings because it has a song. 

~Chinese Proverb

Oh ... but if only the Red-winged Blackbird had a voice to match it's plumage!  ... I guess you can't always have it all!  

Dancing Daisies

There was just enough of a breeze today to keep my Painted Daisies dancing in the wind!  Daisies are so cheerful at the best of times but I love my Painted Daisies ... so vibrant!  They definitely brighten my yard and one's spirit!  Have a wonderful Friday and a great weekend everyone!  Cheers!

Summer's Silver Berry!

Elaeagnus commutata

Mmmm .... if I could plant a shrub outside my bedroom window it would have to be the Silver Berry or Wolf Willow!  There is nothing sweeter than the smell of Silver Berry in the summertime!  No, sadly it's not the prettiest of shrubs but it's sweet aroma definitely makes up for its short comings!  With today being the first FULL day of summer ... there will certainly be a few more days ahead to enjoy 'Summer's Silver Berry!'

Peas ...

Wow ... the last day of spring and the first day of summer!  Where did that spring season go?  At least we have some healthy looking peas to show for the spring season ... we were beginning to wonder if we would after all the rain and hail.  I'm still in shock that spring is officially over.  How did that happen?

Flutterbies!

... I Mean Butterflies!!! 

Butterfly  ~ Author Unknown

When the day-time starts to fade
The Butterflies take wing
To all the sleepy garden folk
Pretty butterflies sing.

Butterfly lullaby
Lullaby-loo
Butterfly lullaby
Sweet dreams to you.

Birdies snug in feather nests
And Worms beneath the ground
Squirrels and chipmunks everywhere
Snooze to this sound

Butterfly lullaby
Lullaby-loo
Butterfly lullaby
Sweet dreams to you.

The daisies and geraniums
Begin to nod their heads
Roses stretch and Tulips yawn
And slip into their beds

Butterfly lullaby
Lullaby-loo
Butterfly lullaby
Sweet dreams to you.

The Canadian Tiger Swallowtail (Papilio canadensis) is found across Canada but here in Alberta ... they love to be near the Aspens!  Swallowtail's are in flight usually from May to late July or early August but their peak time is usually June and June it is!  I absolutely love watching Swallowtails 'flutter' about in my garden!  They love nectar from dandelions and lilacs ... resources I have an abundance of!  LOL!  Trying to capture one not 'fluttering' is definitely a challenge!  Swallowtail's naturally 'flutter' their wings while nectaring ... a trait attributed ONLY to the Swallowtail.  Don't you just love 'butterflies?'  

Prairie Pink

Meet our Provincial flower, the Alberta Rose!  Otherwise known as the wild rose (Rosa woodsii).  With the cooler temps this spring, it seemed to take them a bit longer to start blooming but they are definitely in full bloom now.  I love their dainty look and their sweet aroma but don't let that fool you ... they are one hardy plant!