Summer Time ... and the living is easyyyyy.

I love that song; even learned to pick it on my guitar. It seems appropriate. The heat's building. The lake is filled with fun and sun seekers. We're getting tomatoes from the garden. And, I try to stay out of the heat.

An interesting aside -- the swallow-tailed flycatcher that I stalked is teaching its fledgling to fly. I saw them on a powerline while walking Oscar. I didn't have my camera but made sure to carry it on our next walk. The fledgling were there again. I think the nest must be in the nearby oak tree. Here are a few shots of the three fledgling and mom (or dad?). I'm not sure if it was trying to sing or begging for food. :-)

He was much more adventurous, doing some acrobatic flying, as the other two timidly sat waiting for mom to encourage more flight. Note that their tail feathers have not yet grown out.

The lake has risen enough that wildlife is in much closer to the house. Buzzards, egrets and herons are perching on the pier and wading near the back yard. The following two shots are of a Great White Egret and a Turkey Vulture that I startled while getting close with my $77, 70-210 Nikon lens. It is great for quickly focusing on a moving object, such as the vulture. I'm still cruising eBay for that 300mm f4. I've bid on several but continue to be outbid by someone who wants one much more than I do. :-)

There is still some preparation needed for my grandson's summer visit. He will be here in a week and I still have some work to do on the bikes. Summer heat makes the procrastination so much easier. Maybe I'll just sit in the air condition and play my guitar. :-)

l8r