Fiction Kitchen

Do they cook up novels here?  or is the food not real?

No, it's a vegan restaurant in downtown Raleigh.

 

Eat

This restaurant reminds me of Seinfeld.  It's not the same as the one used in the series, but it's similar.  (see here)

 

Tiny turtle

This little turtle was so well camouflaged that he was almost stepped on.

I'm pretty sure he was a Yellow Bellied Slider, one of our native turtles. (see here)

He was much happier after we set him down in a safe place.

 

Slightly fall

Slowly, slowly fall is creeping in.

 

Alert

The squirrel was hanging out by the birdfeeders, waiting for his chance to grab a meal.

 

Out and About

This little family strolls on the wall of a building downtown.

The mural, called Out and About is by artist Kaylee Calhoun.  See here for more about the art and artist.

 

Raleigh founded

I puzzled over this sign, painted on the side of a downtown building.  I thought they weren't done and needed to add a date...

No, it's the name of a shared workspace in the building. (see here)

 

Turning

Just a few trees starting to turn.  They must have gotten the word that fall is here.

 

Welcome to Fall

Happy first day of Fall!  

Cooler temperatures will be very welcome this year.

 

Buzz

The field of Joe Pye weed was buzzing with different insects.  This one is a Scoliid wasp.  (see here)

They're beneficial insects because they control grubs and pollinate plants.  The two bright yellow spots on their abdomen are startling. 

 

Warbler

This Pine Warbler almost glowed with his yellow feathers.

 

Chickadee

Chickadees are hard to photograph.  They're so quick that they're gone before you can focus.  I caught this one sliding down to the seed feeder.

 

wren

The little Carolina Wren looked like he was ready for a fight.

 

Nuthatch

The birdfeeders were busy.  This nuthatch swept in and out of the feeders.

 

Too small to Fail

This mural, next to the All are Welcome Raleigh mural is a tribute to downtown businesses.  The roots have the names of restaurants and bars.  It was painted in response to Covid.

(See here for more about both murals and the artist.)

 

Raleigh welcome

I often pass this sign painted on the side of a pizza place and always say that I'll stop and take a picture.  It was originally painted in response to the horrible and embarrassing "bathroom bill"  that our legislature passed and then finally rescinded.  It has become an icon for downtown Raleigh (see here and here)

 

At the edge

The pond was slimy, green and peaceful.

 

Persimmon

This persimmon tree is loaded with fruit.  Last year it was loaded with birds eating the fruit.  It must not be quite ripe yet.

 

Chance of afternoon storms

Every day the weather report tells us that there is a chance of afternoon storms.  Lately they haven't come through, although they can make a show every now and then.

 

Susie

The only decorated grave in the small churchyard was this one.  Who decorated Susie's grave?  Looking at the dates, she was only 17, so probably not a great-grandmother.

 

Watchful eyes

While I was checking out the rock garden, this little lizard was checking me out.

 

Rock garden

 

What make a place a rock garden?

Is it many painted rocks?

Or a few carefully placed stones?

Or all of the above...

Home on the range

Give it a good name, and people will even buy "dust".  No, it's a spicy rub not real Texas dust.  

The company, Texas Pete, is really a North Carolina brand.  Started in 1929 they used the name to invoke thoughts of Tom Mix out on the range.  (see here for a history)

 

Tiny turtles

It must be baby turtle season.  They were all over, swimming and sunning themselves.  The little fish swam nearby, but gave the turtle room.

 

Finally a frog

We always look for frogs when we walk around a lake.  We can hear the bullfrogs croak, but rarely see them.  This one was generous enough to pose for a picture.

 

Duck potato

They do have roots that can be eaten like a potatoes, but not by ducks.

It's a broadleaf arrow plant.  (see here) I thought it was missing petals, but it only has three per flower.

 

Construction

The east side of Lake Lynn is a construction zone.  They're widening the trail and smoothing out the path.

Here's how it looked before.  

When it's done in November, it won't take long before it's back to nature.

 

Very hungry

This caterpillar, a rosy maple moth caterpillar, reminded me of the Very Hungry Caterpillar.

(See here)

 

Turtle

Turtle in a green pond.