land of wonders ~ august 1/2

The first half of August just flew by...where on earth did it go? Poof!! I can answer that, into the past!

The rapid passing of time is in part my why to highlighting a series of land wonder finds. That and losing years of phone photos when my phone landed on Water Street. This Winter I hope to draw some of these dated finds in my Phenology Journal :)

Leaves have already started changing
8.1.25

a familiar afternoon sight

Koda (L) & Harmony (R) not so patiently waiting to get out of the elements.
Hope is out of frame.

Harmony makes it clear she wants inside. The horse who for the first 6 years of her life was part of a large outdoor herd. The rest of her years were with us, and she preferred rough board. Not that she always got it. My how things have changed. When Harmony wants to come inside these days, she wants in NOW! Just ask her.

The three sallies have spent the Summer in the back pasture. They are nearby and can hear when Cierra and Nemo come inside early. Some days the duo is ready for indoor barn relief by early-mid afternoon. As you may recall, they both have allergies. In certain undesirable conditions one or the other (or both) are a mess if we wait longer. Our other three horses stay out until early evening. Sorry Hope. Just because a fly lands on you doesn't mean you get to come inside. She is a delicate flower.

second crop hay was put up/sold during a rainless days
8.1.25

Our woodland ground dried up. I was able to walk dogs through our woods without a head net for the first time in over a month! It was a glorious few days. Common lingering mushrooms continued their random appearances throughout the pines. I thought perhaps the more unique (to me) fungi and ooey gooey stuff was done along with the rain. It wasn't.

tiny bubbles being enjoyed by Mr. Ant
8.2.25

they were sun baked the following day

I have come across a lot of feathers over this Summer, of all sizes. A lot of Turkey and some Hawk, along with common Blue Jay and Morning Dove feathers etc. Below is a more unusual feather find:

flicker feather

I also found some fuzzy wuzzies to ID...

Milkweed Tussock Moth Caterpillar

Virginia Tiger Moth Caterpillar

and some winged wonders...

Eastern Comma

Brad sent me these photos of a winged friend he made.

Tawny Emperior

Love it when Brad shares his nature finds!



8.6.25

it is surprise Lily time, better said surprise Aurora time!
8.7.25

These Surprise Lilies are also known as Resurrection or Magic Lilies. Their green Spring leaves die back. In August, flowering stalks appear. Not only pretty, but a fun surprise! 

colorful skies continue to delight
8.7.25

sumac leaves turn early
8.10.25

another "under sea like" find

something 'er someone chewed the ends

a rare 22 legged walking day
8.13.25

(Remi, Tank, Jameson and cat/s Tinkerbell, with a Leo for a bit, plus me)

Rainy days returned. Gee, what a non-surprise. We received more than sprinkles. Over a two day stretch, we added another 5.25" of moisture. Our sandy ground just slurps it up. 

 white moldy growth started re-appearing
8.13.25

natures peculiar collection (not staged)

Remi taking a break (Tinkerbell photobomb)

For the first time, one of the cats left a dead present near our front doorstep. Blech! 90% sure the poor dead bunny's demise was Tinkerbell's doing. The cats usually share the "treasures" they find outside with Brad. They carry them INTO the barn and leave parts on the hay side.

While disposing of what was left, Brad called me over to figure out the most unusual and DISGUSTING wiggling things! 

not scat

You know those tiny sticky black Bot eggs that are hard to scrape off your horses? Well, it turns out these Bot larva are part of the Bot Fly cycle. They wiggled and were big (1.5-2"). Double Blech!!

Our daughter spent years working at our Vet clinic. She educated me further on what to look for on an animal once a bot fly has burrowed inside. It reminded me of a vampire bite, with two holes close together. Cuz you know, I have seen a lot of vampire bites in my days ;) 

We are fairly sure the larva came from the rabbit, which I learned is a common host. Thankfully Tinkerbell didn't eat the actual larva and we found them before our dogs did. Good thing all our animals are vetted.

Enough of that. Onto other earlier August finds. 

patterns on this 'shroom caught my eye

Invasive weeds are on the increase, along with things that make me sneeze. My eyes non-stop water these days. Fun fun. More like rub rub.

 poisonous White Snakeroot

Goldenrod is loved by wings

large white mushrooms in the woods (and lawns)

nature claimed another tree
(and one less tree stand)

This tiny blue flower stopped me in my tracks. I have only come across them a few times. Apparently they are edible.

Asiatic Dayflower (aka Common Dayflower)

8.15.25