Foggy Morn Lifted Over Foxhollow Farm~

 

It has been a few months since I last participated in SkyWatch Friday and I have missed you.

I have had some health issues and have been wearing an event heart monitor for several weeks as well as had an outpatient surgical procedure, which did not take care of my problem.  I will continue to wear the monitor until I see my Cardiologist on July 10, and then decide what we do next. 

In the meantime, life is good.  We are surviving the 3 digit temperatures here in Kentucky and we have set new high records for a week now and more coming.  We need some good soaking rains very badly and summer has just now begun, so we are thinking that once again, it is going to be a scorcher.

When I travel from home into the city to visit my physicians, care for my father-in-law, and sister, as well as run errands, I pass by Foxhollow Farm.  I love this place, from the fresh produce, the gorgeous land, the Icelandic Horses and many birds that I have photographed often here.

On this particular morning there was a foggy haze that was just lifting, upon my arrival, and the heat was already getting to me, but I just had to stop and catch some images, and share them with you.

Happy SkyWatch Friday, and Happy weekend~

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

An Early Morning Surprise Out in the Field of Wildflowers~

Thank you for all of your thoughtful comments and encouraging words sent.
I did have surgery Tuesday to place a Cardiac Events Loop Recorder Monitor into my chest wall.  
It went smoothly, however, I became highly allergic to the second skin Ioban that was used and still am taking medication to alleviate the heat and itch it has caused, but so far so good.  
Moving along and enjoying each day, and I feel much better not having to lug around the heart monitor and the second device that it required to work properly.  
All is well~

 

I was just recently made strangely aware of something...  
In my 3 years of blogging efforts, I have received right at 5,000 comments, which by some standards is not many, and yet, I find each one very much appreciated.
Until, I became quite ill back in late March, I had commented on at least 95% of each of those very kind comments.  I would give a reply to each and every one, as best I could.
Then recently I sent one of my replies and it was one, where I expected to get a reply back and it never came...
So, I tried again and it also was never replied back to.  
Many of you do however reply back occasionally, and so I know that the process can work.
I am saying this, because guess what... probably 75% of my replies to your wonderful comments must have reached the nether, never to be received, or returned...oh my...so that is what that "no reply" thingy means on here;'(

There are beautiful fields of Wild Chicory,  Queen Anne's Lace, Thistle and Milkweed this time of year and I stopped near one a couple of weeks ago to get a few captures en route to physician's appointment. 
Once I had reached the field, I saw specks of bright yellow, movement of bright yellow among the wildflowers and saw that even from a good distance, American Goldfinches were busy collecting nourishment from the Chicory, and it was quite the lovely sight to see.  
It was a glorious, peaceful, sunlit morning and these jewels made my day.  
I hope that you enjoy.
Have a Happy week!

I am linking up with Mary for "Mosaic Monday" at
http://dearlittleredhouse.blogspot.com/ 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I was not certain what kind of bird the one below was.  It looked like a juvie, but not the colouration of a Starling, or Grackle, and there are Red-winged Blackbirds in the area as well, but not that either...anyway, it was quite cute, walking around  it's mouth open wide, collecting tender protein along the way;')~

 

 

 

 

 

 

 The posies below, their names have escaped me, but they grew at the edge of a pond near the wildflower fields~

 

 

Our Fireworks Are Only Found In Nature~

Quite possibly when I was a small child, I enjoyed fireworks, but in my adulthood, I have just never been very fond of it. 
Maybe it is because it frightens the wildlife. 
Maybe because I saw a friend of my sister's lose 2 fingers to one that was never supposed to cause such a tragedy. 
I have enjoyed "Thunder Over Louisville", a very large fireworks display from the Ohio River bridge, just prior to the Kentucky Derby, back when our 3 daughters were growing up, but we did that mainly for them. 
When in Boston for the 4th of July one year, I went with a large group of adults and youth to observe fireworks along the Charles River which was put together like Thunder with some wonderful dramatic music, which was nice. 
Maybe I am just a party pooper, but this year, here in the United States, we are having some major fires out west. 
Twenty five of our states, including Kentuckiana have had over 100 degree temperatures for the third day today and lasting for the next two days.
We have broken the record the past 2 days, topping off yesterday with 105'. 
We are very thankful at least for low humidity levels, which help ease it a bit. 
That is enough for me, not to want to be around any for this year. 
As easy as that is for me to say, many in my neighborhood, shall be shooting them off, and some will even land in my two acre woods and I just pray that no fires begin anywhere due to people, just having a grand celebration. 
July 4 th is certainly a cause for celebration and I do celebrate along with the USA, for all of our many blessings, I just won't be doing it with anything that has to be lit up.

One of the birds at the very top of my favorite bird list, along with the Cedar Waxwings, are Swallows. 
Barn Swallows, Tree Swallows, any kind of Swallow makes me happy, happy. 
I love their look, the way they place lovely feathers to build their nests. 
I love that they consume thousands of flying insects, including Mosquitos, which absolutely adore my blood...thus I slather on the SSS all spring and summer long, which does help.
On Sunday, and Monday mornings, I drive into the country to get to the big city where I care for my 88 year old father-in-law, as well as my twin sister, whom is home bound, due to illnesses. 
I drive past the same nest boxes and there are always either Tree Swallows, or Eastern Bluebirds in residence during the spring and early summer months. 
In the images below, you shall see two different colourations of the same nest box and the same female Tree Swallow. 
One set was taken on a Sunday morning, while the other set was taken later in the morning on a Monday, hence the difference, in their appearance.

I am linking up with Mary for "Mosaic Monday" at
http://dearlittleredhouse.blogspot.com/
and

Dave for "World Bird Wednesday" at
http://www.pineriverreview.blogspot.com/

Please be sure to join me there. 
Happy weekend, Happy 4th of July, for those living in the United States of America.
Many Blessings to all, take care, be safe, wherever you live~