This was a Hot Summer

Thunder Bumper
Storm clouds to the south, low sun in the west. Somebodies getting rained on.

My future is behind me.
Self portrait, the mirror image from the rear window of my Explore.

Illinois Bundleweed
A native of the Midwestern tall grass prairie. A member of the Mimosa family of plants, commonly called the sensitivity plant.

Canada Geese
Geese loafing on a river mud flat. On the right is a tree felled (gnawed down) by a beaver.

Dog Bane Bush
A native tall grass prairie plant. Bane can mean "stay away", this plant is poisonous to dogs. It is also called Indian Hemp. Dog Bane fibers were used by Native Americans for rope, bowstrings and clothing.  

Unknown Plant
Haven't been able to ID this plant. If you know, leave a comment.

Portrait of a Soft-shell Turtle
I met this turtle on the trail. A big turtle, her shell was 2 feet long.  They have a soft leather like shell.

She was laying her eggs in the gravel. They are also called Pancake Turtle because of their low profile shell.

Over-Dressed for Heat-Stress
The start of another 2 mile hike in the blazin' summer sun.

Sawfly
Don't see many of these, a primitive wasp that looks menacing but are fairly shy.

Cooper Hawk
A young hawk use the yard as his training grounds.

Hottie aka Luckie dog

Chicago Air and Water Show, Aug 20-21, 2011

Chicago's Air and Water Show will be this weekend on the Lake Michigan Shore-Line. These P-38 Mustangs flew over head yesterday(08/18/11).

Mustangs over  Gary.

These planes will be based at the Gary-Chicago Airport in Gary.

Need more info try below:
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The official tourism site of Chicago
http://www.explorechicago.org/city/en/supporting_narrative/events___special_events/special_events/mose/chicago_air_and_water.html
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Chicago Tribune's guide to the Chicago Air and Water Show
http://articles.chicagotribune.com/2011-08-18/entertainment/chi-air-water-show-guide-20110818_1_air-show-gary-jet-center-chicago-air
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Tunderbirds in Gary, Sneak Peak.
http://airandwater.cbslocal.com/2011/08/19/sneak-peak-thunderbirds-at-gary/#photo-2

A Short Walk Today.

July 11, 2011...

Think I'll make it a short walk today.  Limit it to a mile, early evening about 6:30 pm, a cool 94 degrees.

  
My Future is Behind Me.

Before we start we take time for a self-portrait. A reflection in a window on my truck. If you look closely you may see the inside of my truck.

My Future is Behind Me

Picture - winged Fly( Delphinia picta)

A south side view of a north bound fly. This Picture-winged Fly is sitting on my truck moving its wings as tho its sending flag signals.  

This fly is offend confused with the Med Fly but the Picture-winged Fly does not harm any fruit at any time of its life cycle. Its unusually large mouth parts can be used to ID this fly.

Feeds on Decaying Plants

Catbird

Seeing lots of Catbirds in the area. Makes a 'meow' call, sounds like a cat.  In the Mockingbird Family, It mimics all other songbird and will sing a songbird medley for minutes, if not disturbed.  Good to your earhole!. 

Catbird

Deer Fly

While walking the marsh, you may notice an insect about an inch long, zooming around your head. Chances are pretty good that  it's a Deer Fly and she's sizing you up for her blood meal.  Their bite is painful and they  are carriers of several diseases.

Deer Fly (Chrysops sp.)

Dragonflys

Perch on the willow bush tips along the trail. Waiting for a bug that will make a nice meal.

Blue Dasher Dragonfly

Buckeye Butterfly

A butterfly that will migrate north and south as the summer season chages.

Buckeye Butterfly (Junonia coenia )

Cooper's Hawk

Hawk on a hot oak limb.

Cooper's Hawk