A break

The extended holiday weekend was a welcome break from a recent demanding work schedule.
Things seemed to have slowed down, both at work and in the woods.

Of course, some of the slowdown in the woods could be to the hot humid weather.

During this weather it is important to take breaks.

​Sherman is a firm believer in breaks.

However, some of the lack of activity near the pond may be chalked up to some predators caught on the trail cameras.

​Mama mallard and her ducklings haven't been spotted lately.

That is probably for the best. The camera captured a bear, coyote and a hawk within the past few weeks. 

The bear photo did solve the mystery as to why Clem was baying and tracking in the woods one morning.

The trail cameras also snapped a photo of mama doe and her fawn.

It also got a photo of a poor buck who couldn't catch a break. Months ago the cameras captured an altercation between two bucks. One ended up with an injured horn. It turns out the horn is still hanging on there. I have dubbed this guy as the "broken horn" buck.

I was able to catch a break when a few butterflies paused long enough for photos. The fritillaries  have been visiting the garden.

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Spicebush swallowtails have been flitting back and forth. I have seen several over the past few weeks.

A mourning cloak found a resting place on a doggy "deposit."

Butterflies weren't the only ones pausing for photos. A pondhawk dragonfly stopped for a moment to enjoy a sunny perch.

I would occasionally take breaks during our walks to capture some native plants in bloom. The blooms of whorled loosestrife while tiny are still very interesting and detailed.

Other small native blooms include. The blossoms of spotted wintergreen were a little hard to get in focus. I ended up trying to lay on the forest floor to get a shot.

I have been trying to wait patiently for blooms on the native orchid called downy rattlesnake plantain. I missed the blossoms last year and hope to get a photo this year.

Native flowers weren't the only thing making me pause for photos. The gazanias were still showing off.

The bee balm has been living up to its moniker. There are at least two or more bees feeding on it daily.

Of course, I always take a break for reflection photos at the neighbor's pond. However, they sometimes give me pause for thought. I can't remember when editing the photo if it is right-side up or upside down.

 Also pausing at the neighbor's pond were some phoebes. It seemed like there the adults were there teaching the fledglings how to hunt bugs.

Meanwhile in my parents' yard, a male bluebird paused to do some self care or preening.

My dad reported that both the male and female have been very busy feeding their young in a nesting box in my parents' yard.

 I faced a moral dilemma this past week when news reports suggested that folks should stop feeding birds due to some songbird death.

I struggled to take a break from feeding my feathered friends.

 Here's a link to the game commission's news release.

However, my guilt and the scolding of angry birds got the best of me. My feeders are still out for the time being.

I had no sooner had said that I hadn't seen any dead or dying birds around when a deceased grackle appeared in the dogs' room.

I questioned my husband as to whether or not the bird had any signs of illness. His response was, "No. This one was murdered."

That's just the nature of things 'round here.