a different summer float

Yes, Summer float. Because Fall is no where in sight for the extended forecast. You can't change the weather, so you mine as well enjoy it. And we did.

We loaded up our kayaks and headed to Mirror Lake. It had been more than a month. On the drive up, I always wonder what will be different.

The lake is usually busier on a weekend. However, there were no large groups. The duo's we passed were spread out and all doing the same as we were. Quietly paddling with normal level conversing.

Heading out, this unfazed ducky girl kept mooning us as she dipped up/down/up:

ms. mallard

You could see to the bottom. I was surprised how clear the entry water was. Until it wasn't.

where did the water go?

A camouflaged Heron stood stoically on the banks. 

heron fishing thorough pea soup

The algae bloom was so thick you could hear your kayak cutting through. It made us laugh and offered a good upper body workout. Unusual for the algae to be thickest in the middle of the narrows. It made it difficult to see submerged branches. There were fewer mirrored water reflections that this lake is known for.  Also, no dancing reflections on shore to be enjoyed.

We noticed the large trees that had fallen earlier in the season and blocked water passage, were removed. However, the familiar leaning tree (below) hasn't budged since we started kayaking.

As we continued our paddle, the algae eventually cleared. 

under or over to the side, you decide

I was so surprised when we eventually reached the wide open water. It is usually thick with late season vegetation.

clear water

clear skies

The shoreline they were working on in August was visibly clearer. Offering more open water. 

clear shoreline

Apparently another side is being cleared. It should allow water passage again.

excavator spotted

There was a welcome breeze. I only saw a few dragonflies and no eagles this trip.

back to pea soup

tall rock outcroppings

The highlight of this water float for me was seeing the Heron. Brad was focused forward and missed him. I wonder how many other folks on the water did as well. He really blended in. On our way back to the boat dock, I was surprised to see the heron had not moved.

9.27.25



 iphone zoomie



crossing legs to prepare



listening for fish (?)

more duckies

While heading back home, I checked my kayaking notes. Interesting. We kayaked the same exact date last year. I was curious when the last/latest float date was last year: October 20, 2024. That seems late.

Hopefully we will get out on the water at least one more time, when Fall arrives ;) 

land of wonders ~ september 1/2

September brings all the feels. Joy for glimmers of Fall and memories relived. The good, the sad and yes even the ugly. Of course, focus is honed in on good memories! It doesn't stop the other feelings from wafting in, then quickly releasing kicking out.

With that in mind, it was interesting to come across a heart shape. It mirrored my heightened processing on a key annual date/s. I had not come across a heart in nature for a long time. 

There will always be a hole in my heart.
9.5.25

Early September, unique woodland wonders slow down. It is no longer Summer but it is also not Fall. When the woods offer the same ol' views step after step, my focus turns to home garden delights.

first sign of Fall Crocus
9.6.25

It has been a banner year for the few Dahlia tubers I overwinter. They are loving our weather this year and gone blooming crazy! The flowers are huge and plentiful this year.

one plant tuber (4-6 yrs old?) 

close-up

I recently mentioned growing lavender. Below is a small harvest that made a cute little upside down drying bouquet. It doesn't take much. I have lavender bouquets hanging inside multiple spots. Mostly in front of mirrors. Have I ever told you I adore mirrors? Well, I do. I know, it sounds narcissistic. Totally not why. In fact, I dislike seeing my old self in mirrors. It is all about light reflections, different perspectives and the energy mirrors offer!

Anywho, I am saving my dried lavender bouquets for a future wreath and/or sachet. I cannot believe how long lavender holds scent!

9.6.25

Of course land walks continue, regardless of conditions. You never know when some oddity will show itself. I almost accidentally squashed the guy below, while heading down to the woods. He looks like something right out of a tropical jungle! 

9.9.25

Google ID'ed the odd looking fellow as a Douglas-fir Tussock moth ~or~ White-marked Tussock moth. Whatever it is, it was on a mission to get to the tree line.

After watching it morph for many weeks over the Summer, I was so delighted to see bright orange coral make a brief reappearance. However, it grew much smaller and was gone overnight.

9.13.25

Our potted barn blooms are so lush this year! Underneath a giant mound of Impatiens are two pots and four planted boots. Much larger than the photo depicts. They almost touch the bottom of the barn window. Amazing what a few four packs of tiny plants can turn into.

Our barn columns are flanked with hanging baskets. I fill them with traditional purple Wave petunias started indoors from seed, and one added contrast scented plant. The big bushy plant underneath is one potted Salvia, for my Hummer friends. They get huge!

When one walks in pines the view is commonly green branches and brown trunks. It doesn't matter what month the calendar says it is, there is always color!

We do have some hardwoods growing among our pines. Most struggle for light. Imagine my surprise to see bright red so early. One bendy branch had turned completely red. Only one branch. The rest of the tree's leaves are still green.

Red Maple
9.13.25

I couldn't quite catch the brilliance with my phone that I was seeing. I decided to let the mosquitos attack what wasn't covered and ducked behind the branch. Sorry hands. 

It was behind the tree branch that I saw brighter light...

love shines bright
9.13.25

hummingbird day

Hummingbird Day came and went. Just like the birds themselves will do all too soon. It seems everything has a day. I did not know about Hummingbird Day (Sept 6th) until I heard about it on the news. Our big-little city zoo celebrated by offering hummingbird related crafts and free kiddo stuff. It sure sounded like fun but was no doubt mobbed.

The following day, my daughter and I attended another stained glass workshop. We made hummingbirds! Now every day is hummingbird day at my house. 

my very own hummer
9.7.25

So interesting how the colors constantly change, twinkle and reflect. 



same birdee as above

shadows provoke thought

Hummingbirds are entertaining wonders of nature and provide us with endless smiles. They will be migrating south sometime later this month-ish, and will be missed. 

9.2.25

I maintain a three port window feeder and four port hanging feeder for them. The feeders are up early April-late September. I leave the window feeder up for several weeks after I stop seeing them. Just incase.

Our Hummers have multiplied and would probably use more feeders, but IMO that is what flowers are for. I grow many of their well known favorites. To name a few, Salvias, Penstemon (aka Beards Tongue) Fuchsias etc. Altho the winged wonders visit all my flowers, regardless of shape or color.

dahlia's attract hummers



feeding on fuschia

I have been sneaking outside lately to try (key word try) and capture the fast fluttering wings. Sneaking doesn't work so well. Hummers are smart birds! Hanging around in stillness works better. It is challenging to "stop" their motion either way. 

Fairly certain those photographed are either young and/or female Ruby-throated Hummingbirds. I have not seen the red throated male hummers lately. Perhaps they already started migrating.

gotcha

A Hummingbirds chirp is so distinct. It makes me smile and sounds more like a cute "squeak". These birds are known for returning to the same location. Not sure, they all look so similar. 

Safe upcoming travels to my little flutter friends. IF Summer ever leaves lol. I will look forward to seeing them return next year! 

land of wonders ~ august 2/2

It feels like I wrote about the first half of August such a long time ago. It wasn't that long ago. Funny part either way, not much has changed.

We recently got another .5 inch of rain. Downpours have stopped, but we have enough moisture that keep the skeeters buzzing. Which means, I am still wearing my head net daily. Yippee. It gets so hot outside that we seek respite inside. Animals included. 

A mix of nature discoveries spotted here on Hidden Cactus Ranch, keeps me wondering.

................

It was so nice for this small butterfly to hang around long enough for me to take a photo. It was slightly larger than the size of my thumbnail.

Pearl Crescent Butterfly
8.16.25

There are a few key spots in our woods that tend to foster oddities. They are worth a daily glance. Most of the land wonders I share randomly catch my attention. I usually don't search or look for specific things. 

more goopy bubble snot on one of the key spots

Where there are woods there are always trees down. Summer storms claimed a bunch. Along with Oak Wilt. Thanks to Brad, we can take our regular route in the pines again!

Tank & Jameson

August skies were spec-tacular! Specifically the clouds. Views are magnificent from the safety of our West facing deck. Of course, photos do not do justice.

8.17.25

close-up

Grounded things also create wonder.

two completely different fungi, same piece of wood

(yellow popcorn to right of white)

Our grand dogs are showing their age. Me too. We savor our wooded walks together while we can.

Remi  8.20.25

Ever wondered why mushrooms grow in a circle and more so, why they are called Fairy Rings?!

"...mushrooms grow outward in a circular pattern from an original spore, and the mushrooms appear at the edge of this growing structure. The name "Fairy Ring" comes from an old folklore belief that the rings were formed by fairies dancing in a circle."

See, the whole fairy thing is not just me!!

small fairy ring

white coral returns

Yellow wild blooms appear willy-nilly. 

false sunflower

Our son spotted tree frogs window frogs waaay up high near the ceiling. Surprise! Funny looking at them through a window from the inside. Every one stopped watching TV and started watching the frogs interactions. Nature's TV is the best!

8.20.25

(reflected wood is the underside of our deck roof)

The next couple mushrooms regrew in the same spot as previous shared. You may recognize them. The first one was not nearly as fun as finding a face planted duckling.
 

2nd time rehatching

If only I was okay foraging and eating wild mushrooms...

3rd time for these salted buttercups

Prior to seeing the multi-monarch delight in my butterfly garden, this lovely one stayed still long enough for me to get close with my phone.

Monarch

wild sky on 8.23.25

close-up

Every August day revealed more colorful leaves.

My lavender made it through the Winter and has been producing enough to pick little bouquets! I was pleasantly surprised to see a white lavender variety. Completely forgot I planted it late last year. I am enjoying the mixed colors and of course the relaxing scent!!

I had to look up the odd ball below. Thought it was a weird berry. I was wrong.

Oak Gall



Interesting cloud formation spanned the sky

Viceroy have intersecting lines crossing lower wings

I almost smacked face first into a fuzzy wonder.  I've never seen one like this before. I found it so interesting that Blogger Marie spotted one the same week. We live in a completely different area's.

Hickory Tussock Moth

Bright orange circles caught my eye. I was walking in an area I haven't frequented much this Summer. The blood suckers are thick as thieves in the lowest parts of our property.

Orange Peel Fungus

Goldenrod brings similar color to late Summer.

8.26.25



Great Spangled Fritillary



table for two



top view



flocks of turkey are appearing regularly

They will go into hiding by hunting season.

cloudy loon vibes

August wrapped up foggy and moody.

8.31.25