Theme day: Fruit

The theme for August is Fruit.  

What could be more fruitful than a trip to the Farmer's Market? 

 

Vulture

A black vulture surveys the area from a dead tree.

 

Mushroom season

After 4 inches of rain last week, the mushrooms are popping up.

 

Morning

Morning light in the forest.

 

Reflections

Reflections on the still lake.

 

Web

A spider web shining in the sun.  It looked like someone hung a CD in the trees.

 

Deer

She was watching us closely from the brush.

Her fawn was well camouflaged in the shadows.

 

Fishing

The herons were busy fishing in the muck.

 

Squirrel???

Kind of a creepy little squirrel to find in the forest.

 

buds

The buds of the rosemallow look like alien pods from outer space.

 

Tiger

The tiger swallowtail was enjoying the buttonbush flowers.

 

Barn swallow

The swallows were swooping over the lake.  This one stopped to chortle at us.

 

Teenager

Someday he'll be a bright red crested cardinal.  But he's a gawky teen right now.

 

Dragons

There are so many different types of dragonflies.

Some very delicate.

Some could be mistaken for birds.

 

Family

The baby ducks were resting in mom's shadow

They finally settled down in the shade.

Artichoke

The bees were very happy that no one harvested the artichokes.

 

Plant sculptures

Not just plants at the arboretum.

 

Empty arbor

It looked new.  Fresh wood and no vines yet.  

 

Agave

It looked like something Georgia O'Keefe would love.

 

Weather vane?

I'm not sure of it's a weather vane or a decoration.

It sits on top of this cute little building.  Which turns out to be the restrooms at the arboretum.  Oh well.

 

Benches

On a hot day, a bench in the shade is welcome.

The arboretum has plenty of places to contemplate and rest.

 

Have a seat

A quiet bench on a hot day.

 

Rosemallow

The rosemallow at the water's edge in bloom.

 

Yet another heron

Just hanging out on a favorite log.

 

Another heron

This  heron was panting from the heat. 

 

Heron

Now that the heron babies are fledged and out of the trees, they're everywhere around the lake.

 

Snake Master?

This interesting flower has some terrible names: Rattlesnake Master, Button Eryngo, Button Snakeroot, Beargrass.  It's eye catching among a garden of flowers.  Weirdly, it's in the carrot family.  (see here)

 

Summer friend

Dragonfly taking a rest.

 

Happy 4th

The flags are flying at the Elks club.

Some people celebrate differently.

 

Weed?

I don't know how this flower got its name.  It's not the color of iron, and its not really a weed.  It's New York Ironweed.  (see here)

I guess any native plant could be called a weed?

I've tried to grow it but the rabbits love to chew off all the leaves.

 

Counterculture

A new exhibit has shown up at the NC Museum of Art.

It's called Counterculture by Rose B. Simpson.   (see here for information about the artist and the work)

The figures stand looking out at land once belonging to Native tribes.

Each one has eyes that seem to glow with light coming through.