July Events

I started out the month by taking a trip to North Carolina on July 4th. The trip was planned to go to Perry's Water Gardens to photograph the water lilies. We also visited the waterfalls between Franklin, NC and Highland, NC. Went onto Cashiers, and found a neat little park there. We just went for the day.

On the 5th we had a July 4th family get together, and I had a blast photographing the great nieces in the swimming pool.

On the 11th I started a roll to the point I was not sure what new thing I would see next when I walked out my back door. It started with my first EVER Monarch, and it was in my own front yard. Then the very next day I got to enjoy an American Painted Lady in the same spot. Then I saw an Indigo Bunting, don't see these often in East Tennessee, got a few photos, but not great ones. The same afternoon a Bald Eagle flew over. No camera in my hand. He was traveling like he was on a mission, so no time to grab the camera. He was so intend of his travels that we all discussed the possibility of him having been in the release programs and was headed back where he had been in captivity. (Don't even know if that is a possibility.) The next 2 days I saw a bird I had a hard time identifing. Luckily I had camera in hand both days. I knew he was some type of Flycatcher, with the help of my visiting bloggers it has been determined it is an Eastern Kingbird. Then the next day mixed in with the Orange Sulphurs was another Sulphur I had never seen before, and the following day the Barn Swallows showed up in my yard for the first time.The butterflies are out doing themselves this year, and the zinnia are just getting started.

On the 10th I met with Ashlei for pre-wedding day photos of her in her wedding gown. And then Brad & Ashlei's wedding was the 19th. The week following the wedding I spent a lot of hours in front of the computer viewing photos, and making a proof book for Brad & Ashlei, but I got it done before they got home from their honeymoon. I sure was glad too, because I was having withdrawals from not getting out to photograph all God's nature around me.

On the 26th we took a short trip (92 miles one way) to Spring City, where my husband's job is moving to beginning August 11th. We still are not sure what this will mean to us about our housing and church situation. While in Spring City we visited a small park adjacent to Watts Bar Lake, enjoyed and photographed the wildlife there, so we did get some enjoyment out of the trip.

The blackberry photos are because it has been a blackberry month. The bottom photo was right before I picked and ate the blackberries.

Naturally, all month we have spent time with our grandson, who is now 6 months old. He has his 1st cold right now, but it hasn't been too bad. He has 1week old twin 1st cousins (on his mother's side) that also contacted this same cold. Grayson (the girl) has been admitted to the hospital. Please pray for this family.

Ducks in Veterans Park

These Ducks were at the Veterans Park in Spring City, Tennessee this past weekend. My husband's job is moving to Spring City very soon, we went there to see the area. Although Spring City is still in East Tennessee it is too far to commute. We were scoping out the surrounding towns to see where we might be interested in living. No major decisions made at this time.

Insects flying around Eastern Bluebird

You can see why I have flycatchers in my backyard. I did not see the swarm around this Bluebird until at the computer.

American Robin

These American Robin photos were taken in the Village Green park in Cashiers, North Carolina when we visited July 4th.

Barn Swallows in our yard

First the Eastern Kingbird, then the Barn Swallows come. It is getting more interesting in the back yard everyday. I love the way they all line up together, with the same distance between each bird.

Hydrangea blooms

I have always been told the color of hydrangea blooms comes from the type of soil. Always had my doubts, due to moving the same plant to 4 different locations in East Tennessee and the blooms stayed blue. These 3 photos were taken outside my daughter's office window. Notice the pink and the blue blooms are so close to each other they can be seen in the same photo.
Hydrangea are another of my favorites, due to the first ones I remember were at my Granny Sorrells' house.

Young Eastern Bluebird on sheppard's hook

I think this young one was curious about me.

Delicate Design Daylily

Delicate Design came from Oakes Daylilies Festival in 2007. The name is sorta misleading, due to the height. This one is 28" tall. The blooms are gorgeous. Can't wait until this one gets thicker (more blooms).

Squirrel at Cherokee Lake Picnic Area

Not absolutely sure, but think this squirrel has a french fry.

Lavender Deal Daylily

Lavender Deal came from Oakes Daylilies Festival in 2005.
In the bottom photo the blooms look a totally different color. That is one of the characteristics of Lavender Deal. This post is for Teresa, she kept telling me she had a pink one blooming that I gave her. It ended out to be this one. She works days and she always sees it like the bottom photo. I work evenings and usually see it like the top 2 photos. The photo on the bottom was obviously taken on a weekend.

As you can tell by all the buds, this one is a great bloomer. How is that for a sales pitch?

Leprechauns Wealth Daylily

Here is Leprechauns Wealth. It is a little thing, the book says the blooms are 2 1/2 inches, and I think they are really that small. Leedra's Delight got the color from this as a ring. This one has not done as good with all the moving around, but it is suppose to be a rebloomer and I think it will come back in a few years. If we don't have to move it, yet again.

Leedra's Delight Daylily

As I said in the ealier post this one is possibly a cross between Leprechauns Wealth and Happy Returns. It started as a seedling in my yard about 6 years ago, when I had a lot less daylilies and I knew exactly where they were planted. The first year, no blooms, the 2nd year 1 or 2 blooms. Then it just took off, can't be stopped now.
It is an early bloomer and just keeps on blooming. You can see from the buds below it is a very strong bloomer. I need to check into how a person goes about registering a daylily but I haven't.

Condilla and Leedra's Delight daylilies

Well, Condilla (the bright one) came from Oakes Daylilies about 10 years ago. Before I was even going to the festival, for those great bargains.

The light colored one started as a seedling in my yard, and I call it Leedra's Delight. I think it is a cross between Happy Returns and Leprechauns Wealth, due to it's characteristics. But since the bees did the work I am not sure. It is a early bloomer and it just never stops. Daylilies are classified as rebloomers, and this one is, except I don't really see it pause. I have split it and given away to friends. It just comes back thick again. It keeps going like the little pink bunny. God at work again!

Mockingbird

You can tell this Mockingbird is doing what they do best. (Other than chase other birds.)

Dublin Elaine Daylily

Dublin Elaine has a double bloom that is so full, also got this one in 2006 from Oakes Daylilies Festival.

Eastern Bluebird action shots

Eastern Bluebird action shots. No particular order, but they were all taken within a few minutes of each other on June 26, 2008.

Eye-Yi-Yi Daylily

Eye-Yi-Yi catches your eye from all the way across the yard. You can see where this one got it's name. I also got it in 2006 at the Oakes Daylilies Festival.

Happy Birthday to my dear brother Tommy. Even though you don't like flowers, here's to you. I love you! I am even posting earlier than usual because I know how early you arrive in the office. Don't call me I still worked till midnight, I will call you when I get up. Does it make you feel old for Amanda to be 30?

Eastern Bluebirds checking out Tree Swallow's birdhouse

Eastern Bluebird action shots, these photos were taken while this male Eastern Bluebird was trying his best to convince the female Eastern Bluebird to check out this 3 level birdhouse. I think he never even got her to go in any of the openings. They appear to be discussing it, he then tryed to show her the upper level. Then they appear to be discussing it again. Then he shows her the middle level. More discussion, then he proceeds to the bottom level. I left them still discussing it. These were taken in late June, there had already been several families of bluebirds in our yard, so this would have probably been a 2nd or 3rd for the season. I don't know how many pairs of bluebirds we have had this year. Right after this I bought a new bluebird house and they were in it within the week of installation. There are currently eggs in the new birdhouse.
The photo below is my favorite of this group.