Break Time, Perhaps

Our last egg.

With mixed emotions I'm out of the chicken business.  First time in 16 years that we won't have chickens in the backyard or daily fresh eggs.

It was time for a break...

Nipponanthemum Nipponicum, Common Names "Nippon Daisy"

Our Montauk Daisies are about to burst!

Planted in early Spring and faithfully watered them all Summer long.

It's nice to have beautiful late blooming flowers around.

Closed For The Season

Our pool is officially closed for the season.

It's always nice when this gruesome task is behind me.

We'll see you in the Spring...

Sea Urchin Finds

Here's just several of the unique sand dollars found at the sandbar while beaching it on Marco Island.

Sea Hawk

Can you say Osprey!

This dude was enjoying the sunshine at the beach on Marco Island.

Resting atop a marked off sea turtle egg nest, he was not too worried about our approach, and contently perched there as if all alone.

An impressive bird of prey for sure.

No More Alvino's Pizza...

Our hopes, and taste buds, were running high and excited at the thought of Alvino's pizza.

But alas it was not to be.  Upon arrival we learned the disappointing news, via a sign on the door, that Alvino's went out of business...

Ouchie Bite

While visiting Florida earlier this month Emilie was bitten by a red ant just below her ankle.

The is a picture of the bite, which she said was painful.

She's lucky it was only one bite and not a gazillion!

Fall Bears

This is the time of year that you come across the Wooly Bear and Yellow Bear caterpillars when out and about.

This dude was trying to hide.

Uniqueness At It's Best

A couple Mullein plants growing among and up past our Harlequin Glorybower plant.

Mullein is wild herb with fuzzy leaves and a member of the Snapdragon family.  They popup throughout our yard from year to year.  I find them unusual and the bees love em, so I let them do their thing.

The Harlequin Glorybower bush, also known as the peanut butter bush, is awesome too.  It fills in and out very nicely creating a nice privacy fence.  The aroma, when in bloom, is fantastic.  Typically covered in bees, butterflies and hummingbirds.

Lincoln Street Vole Massacre

Walked into the kitchen to witness the vole crime scene.

Oliver's first confirmed kill!

I'm guessing he was so proud of himself that he wanted to share it with the rest of the family and the kitchen floor, which is a mess in and of itself...

Good boy!!

Taking In Some Rays

This awesome Tree Frog was basking in the morning sun atop our back fence gate.  I'm thinking he thought he was well hidden and camouflaged, as he never moved.  Stayed there a good part of the day.  I'd stop and chat with him each time I passed by. 

Then he was gone.  Off to catch some pesky insects I hope.

Zonal and Variegated Geraniums

These are a couple clippings from a variegated geranium that we've had for several years now.  Given to us by our farmer friend Tim and over wintered in the basement.  Once pulled outside in the Spring to the sun they come back to life!  Clippings are easily rooted and take right off, as these two did.

I'm partial to variegated-type flowers, but also tired of lumping dozens of plants indoors for the long winter.  Just might change things up some this winter...

Contemptible Person...

Two months ago -

Came home to my recently installed mailbox looking like this...

What I believe happened is that some asshat was turning around in the neighbors driveway (directly across the street from the mailbox), which people do ALL the time and backed right into the pole.

Of course the inconsiderate asswad didn't have the common courtesy to own up to it.  Nope, the assclown simply drove off with not a care in the world.  I hope that karma pays this asswipe a visit and evens the score, only wish I could be there.

Here's Your Sign

Still Better Than A Good Day At The Office!

Blue Gill fishing with Emilie.

Boy, these dudes really go for the grubs!

We spent about a half hour and caught about 13.

Yawn or Growl?!

Well, not a ground hog but I'll still consider it a victory!

Chicken Identity Crisis

In our flock of five chickens we have this Brown Sex-link hen who's about 3 years old now. She has always been the friendliest (to me, definitely NOT Emilie) but yet the most aggressive of the bunch.  She also behaves and acts much like a rooster.

When food is made available to the group, she'll always cluck-cluck like a rooster does essentially calling over the other hens and even goes so far as to offer up whatever it is she's fawning over at the time.  Something you typically see a rooster doing.  She's also on the ready to come to the aide of the other hens when\if they're threatened.  Just ask Emilie

She doesn't crow like a rooster and I've never seen her even try.

However, she posses a single spur on her right leg.  Spurs are a rooster trait, not a hen.  Yet, as you can see below she has one and it's BIG!  Perhaps, you can understand Emile's apprehension when needing to go in the coop to collect eggs.

She still lays eggs.

So, I'll name her Caitlyn!

A Fluffy Looking Moth

This handsome male Large Tolype Moth blends in nicely with our seasoned lamppost.