THISTLES start to bloom in September

Thistles have beautiful blooms, however are a noxius weed in pastures and meadows. A source of food for butterflies,bees and other insects.

August WHITETAILS

Most bucks this time of year ,in Southeastern Indiana only show up at night. Have recorded these two for the last 2 months.Have seen one in early AM.just once.

 Early Fall Mushroom on old downed Oak tree..... intresting coloration on this , what I call a shelf mushroom.

 Backlit Rain in Strong Sunshine...shutter speed 1/80 sec. f5.6 asa200, facing west. I guess one could calculate the speed of the rain drops, using the above data.  ??????

 Mallard Drake at Miama Whitewater Park.... preening chest feathers in mixed sunlight, sept 2013

 Late October Gobblers Struting......... Have only seen strutting in the spring around here. These guys had about 12 hens and acted like it was spring.

Deformed Antler Growth & Good Antler Growth... 

These bucks were photographed on the same day in Sept. 2013, have not seen the amount of deformity ,as in the top picture . Last march 2013, noticed a buck still with a full set of antlers. Does not shedding the old ones, on time, tend to deform the new set ? Interesting !!!!!!!!!

Seasons Greetings 2013........"Sheltered"

Velvet Ant.......* An unusual insect seen in the fall , seen this one while setting on the deck, have not seen before. They are actually wasps , according to reference. Adults velvet ants feed on nectar and water.     * article by Ric Bessin,Extension Entomologist, University of Kentucky College of Agriculture

Nuthatch yells at Blue jay... a lot of feeding going on this evening, everyone competing for a spot. The jay must have the  "good" feed. Aggressive little guy!!!!!!