Dypyx

It was cloudy all day, but moments before sunset, the cloud bank lifted just high enough to reveal the fiery sunset through the trees.

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The prettiest patch of blue sky serves as a backdrop to a forest of dormant Sycamore trees.

Our yard took on an eerie pink glow from the muted sunset behind the clouds.

Some days we like to just sit and watch the birds have their breakfast.

A female hummingbird floats like magic while she drinks a little sugar water.  The males have bright red throats.

Not a bad shot on a second’s notice and with no tripod!  She’s an amazing little bird, so graceful and acrobatic.

We have a new toad friend who lives on our porch, swims in our dogs’ water bowl, and sits in front of the patio door all night long eating bugs dancing in the light.  He has such an easy life that he has grown quite fat, which is why we call him “Jabba the Toad.”

During the day, Jabba likes to sit in the crack between the porch and house.

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This is a pretty time of year with the wildflower field and garden blooming simultaneously.  Here is one of the flower gardens with yellow daisies, and white and pink hibiscus:

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Imperial moths are drawn to artificial lights, where they often remain past dawn and into the day.  This makes them especially vulnerable to predators like birds, hence the species is becoming more rare in areas with lots of human lighting.

I found this big fella inside our house on the living room floor, and he wasn’t looking too lively.  I’m not sure how he snuck inside the house, considering he has a large 5” wingspan.

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This yellow leaf decided to turn and fall three months early.

On our porch we have a frog water bowl that the dogs use as a drinking bowl.  But this frog decided to move in and make it his temporary home.

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Here’s a neat shot of what appears to be an American Hover Fly on a thistle flower.  This fly gets its name from how it hovers above flowers.  It’s considered a beneficial species because its larvae helps eliminate species that attack commercial crops and ornamental plants.

Thistle are very pretty but also invasive.  They are armed with sharp thorns that are very painful.  We have to clear them from our wildflower field every couple of years so they don’t take over.