It was a hot day, so we rode this morning. Harry had a trip to make into St. Louis county to see a pal, and when he returned, there was much joy in the dog pack. They gathered round to greet him, checking for treats, of course.
Rebecca came to help with the garden, and worked too hard, as usual. She hates having her picture taken, but I am merciless.
I was putting something in the dumpster, and saw movement. It was a skink! Then I saw another, young one. I recruited Rebecca’s help for dumpster diving skink rescue. We sifted through the manure until we found the bigger one, and chased it into a bucket, to relocate it. Eventually, we found the little, blue striped young one. Capturing that one required Rebecca climbing into the dumpster, but the rescue was a success, and worth the stink – for the skink. Of course, I failed to take a picture, but here is a picture from last September of a skink on the wall of the dumpster ramp. Amphibians are precious signs of a healthy ecosystem. It’s a bit disturbing to think they could have been transported to the dump!
Rebecca suggested using last year’s picture of a skink
I took a few pictures of the lush beauty surrounding us today.
Azalea blossoms dropping after a spectacular Spring show 
Hostas and bluebells from Kitty Mollman 
Hostas and columbine 
Carolina spice bush 
Startling white fungus
Weedy went on an adventure, and ended up in the pasture.
“Umm.. I was just looking at this pile of poop, not eating it!“ 
Weedy, come! 
Obeying the recall – good boy, Weedy!
I took some bird pictures, but I missed some, too. The camera was out of commission recharging the battery.
A very brown pileated woodpecker 
Grosbeak at the feeder 
Grosbeak wings
I saw another hummingbird today, again on the scarlet honeysuckle, but missed the picture. The honeysuckle is gorgeous this year. There was a honeysuckle volunteer that came up in the hedge, so I transplanted it three years ago. Last year, it was cut to the ground by a weedeater, and I feared it was finished. Sometimes adversity strengthens, and that honeysuckle, on the dog pen fence, has roared back to life this spring, even blooming already!
Honeysuckle on the pergola 
Honeysuckle on the fence
There were bad storms forecast, but they seem to have missed us. I worked the ring to prepare for rain, nonetheless.
Groomed arena 
The Pearl Brothers
Finally, a bumblebee on false indigo…
Stay safe, stay well. Save amphibians and bees. Peace.
Loved the slinky story! Saint Francis is smiling at you.
It constantly warms the cockles of my heart to see how beautiful you have made this place.
Marvelous pictures Anne. Thanks.
Tipper loves skinks. We’ve had several, and they are way faster than he. Still he gets points for trying!