August

  July - August 2026

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At the dam this morning I couldn't ID this bird by eye, it was too far away. The photo is poor (I still had the settings for the Moon) but no mistaking the Kingfisher with that big head and bill. Merlin (bird app) agrees, Belted Kingfisher. I very seldom see those.

Aug. 19

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Unprocessed.

I keep hoping to come across one of the many sparrows I'm not familiar with. Not today. At the dam this immature Chipping sparrow was OK with me being fairly close for a decent shot.

I think this is a Zabulon skipper, shot at distance on the 14th.

This Oriole was surprisingly mellow at about 9 feet through the open window

Aug. 17

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Ridout Brethren Zoom call
Free Car Wash Aug. 16

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This is the first Black swallowtail, a male who eclosed yesterday. Posing with his now empty pupa casing (chrysalis).

Female Black swallowtail, the last to eclose today.

Female Black swallowtail

Male Black swallowtail, at least that's what I thought at the time. Photographed through a cement block after his first flight, I liked the framing.

Facebook threw up these from August 15 2023 when evidently I released these swallowtails that I'd raised.

Aug. 15

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A foggy morning walk at the dam today. Is black & white better?

Aug. 14

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About three feet across the stump. I watched it fall but wasn't quick enough to get photo/video.

Before & after, dead oak that was taken down today. Had it fallen toward the house or garage, big damage!

Wondering what this is, and if it's best to wait until it's done flowering to transplant. I was told Hibiscus and Rose Of Sharon. Turns out they're related. Aug.13

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Wordle-brag dam-selfie Open Mic recordings (five songs on the playlist so far).

Aug. 11

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A rather sorry-looking vine-thing I bought months ago for cheap has finally decided to bloom.

I've been told this is Mandevilla. Looks like I have to bring it in for the winter.

Aug. 9

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Here is the sound of the Pileated woodpecker hammering (from the Aug. 6 walk).

Sometimes I see them perching but don't get the photo-op very often.

Aug. 7

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With a day off I was able to do a few things around the house. I cleaned the birdbath and resurrected the solar fountain. When I checked on it later I found it was spraying water over the edge. No good deed goes unpunished.

Aug. 6

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View from the dam

Barn Swallow

Chipping Sparrow Takes Off

Ripples Aug. 5

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Open mic

That playlist should now include all 3 songs I did that night along with one of Jesse's tunes.

ShinyCarMothSelfieDuJour Aug. 4

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Project du jour. The trouble with some new items (a car for example) is it leads to getting other things for it. In this case, floor mats. The set I got wasn't quite an exact fit, hence the project.

A substandard shot (poor lighting/focus) but wonderful pose.

Aug. 3

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Another 'lightning bug', I'm not seeing them flash lately. 

Celebrating not only 777 on odometer but an impressive 44 MPG. It briefly got over 50 on the same drive. The longer term average is still in the high 30s but it's slowly working its way up.

Not a morning (or dam) shot, the Milkweed tussock moth caterpillar. I'm letting them eat all the MW they want since no Monarch cats have appeared. :-(

Merlin says Ring-billed Gull.

Since I started walking the dam I've been hoping to get confirming shots of the Eastern Kingbird I've been seeing for a week or so. Merlin agrees with my ID on both of these.

Aug. 2 (this isn't supposed to be a link)

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Lady Hummingbird, must be a wing shadow. Taken around 9am.

Aug. 1