Summer
FLORA & FAUNA
Summer is here. There is no
denying it. Temps in the high 80's to mid 90's, with the occasional
afternoon thunderstorms. Spring was spectacular and turned all the foliage
from wintry drab to bright greens with splashes of flowers of all
colors. The river is always cool, clear and most
refreshing. We have had
several days rain but today is about as perfect as you might
want for an "enjoy the moment" kind of day.
Every once in a while, a troop of turkeys or deer will make their way over to
Meditation Point and around that area. Anytime is a great time to
take a dip in the river or just sitting in the shallow water letting
nature drain the pressures out of you.
Star-gazing with the clear
skies we're having is awesome by the pond. You've never seen so many stars with your
naked eyes. The fireflies are out everywhere in the
evenings with an occasional bat flittering about catching flying evening
insects. Its wonderful to relax around the pond in the evening,
listening to the soothing sounds of the insects and birds. If you hear the owls calling, its usually the barred
owls. These owls are most active this time of year, raising
their broods. They often have been spotted around the cabins and in
the woods.
I
went for a walk in the woods today and took several nice pictures of what is
now in bloom. Purples in the verbenas and ageratum, and
yellows in the rudbekias.
Azaleas
in and around the Chalet grounds
Click on picture to enlarge
Across the river from the Treehouse, is a beaver or river otter slide down to the
river. I would love to be able to photograph what critter slides on
the slide. The Treehouse beach has been scattered with
beaver sticks, so I know it's beavers. David once spotted a couple of river otters
and their three babies swimming by the Chalet. What a thrill that must have been.
Three juveniles raccoons, who I have dubbed Larry,
Curly and Moe, are now making a nightly trek to check my
birdfeeders. They keep me on my toes to make sure I take the feeders
down before they can get to them. I've seen 2 juvenile turkeys in my
front "yard". David saw a gaggle of turkeys up by the gate
early morning last week.
There are lots of cardinals, tufted-tit
mice, Carolina wrens, towhees, Carolina chickadees, ruby-throated hummers,
red-shouldered hawks, barred owls and prothonotary warblers
are out and about.
Female
turkey Carolina
Chickadee Tufted-tit
mouse
Armadillo
I hope you have enjoyed the
pictures. We would love for you to stay at Little River Bluffs and
explore the woods and meadows on your own. You never know what
exciting discoveries you might find.
To be continued....
As usual, one
of us will continue
this page later on, so please check back to see the latest news at Little River
Bluffs.
David and Doris (we're brother and
sister) wish you
peace and hope you're coming here soon to enjoy the
wonderful weather, the river, pond, the wildflowers, meadows and trees.
