Walnut Creek in the Morning

It is been a relatively wet summer, with only one long dry spell for a few weeks....and as a result, the grasses have really grown up along the banks of Walnut Creek.

This is a great little creek that has lots of wildlife on it usually; although this morning, it was very still and I did not see hardly any critters other than a few songbirds.

Spinning the Web

The fog was so thick this morning that the spider webs could not support all of the droplets.

This banana spider had to try to rebuild her web after part of it collapsed under the weight!

I love banana spiders....also called golden silk spiders, as you can see from the golden color that some of the web has (click on the photo to enlarge it).

They are huge, but harmless to people...and actually, they help out by keeping down the insect population.

The broken part of the tree is gone. I had to hire a crew to come in with a crane to lift it up and off, but it is gone. The only negative thing is that they didn't leave me an invoice for it. So I still don't know exactly how much it will cost. They gave me an estimate earlier though. I guess I will have to call them again.

A Few More Pics

Click to enlarge the photos

And here is a bit of video....be patient, it takes a moment to load. When you see the image below, click on it to play the video.

Crash, Boom, Thud

At about 2:30 this morning (1/2 hour ago), I and the cat got a startle and sudden wake up call as a big limb broke out of one of the pecan trees and crashed down upon my roof. It is the tree that is right up next to the garage, and the limb broke part way; but is still hanging onto the trunk of the tree. It is laying across the roof of the patio shelter on the back and then across the roof over the back door to the house and out over the utility room and bathroom. I can't really see more till daylight and when I can get up on the roof after work, this afternoon. I am hoping that it is just laying across the house roof and didn't have any limbs that came through the roofing...but I will just have to wait and see. I guess that I know what I will be doing this afternoon.

Assuming that there aren't any roof penetrations, I think I can get up on the roof and cut the tree limb (about 12 inches diameter where it broke off from main tree, and 8 inches where it goes over the roof). At least that way if it snaps completely off from the tree trunk, it will just crush my patio shelter and not do much more damage to the house roof. I went ahead and moved my bbq grill and chairs out from under the patio, just in case it decides to come on down before I can get up there afterwork today. No need in them getting squashed.

As to saving the patio roof, I am not sure if that is going to be possible or not. Thus far, it is in pretty good shape; but I have my doubts on being able to bring down the remaining limb in a controlled manner.

I will snap a few photos this afternoon and post them....but back to bed for now.

UPDATE: Here are the photos as I left this morning for work:

Been so busy...

I have been so busy the past few days! Sorry that I haven't had a chance to post any new images; but it seems that the past few days have been really hectic.

Work is always busy during this time of year, and it just seemed that this past week, there was something going on every evening. Yesterday, my parents came down for a visit. We did a bit of shopping and had lunch out together. Then after they left, I managed to cut the grass before darkness fell.

Today, I took a mental health day and did very little. My biggest accomplishment was grocery shopping and playing with the cat. Do I live an exciting life or what?

Picnic at the Lake

If you missed out on yesterday's GWS picnic, then I hate it for you! Some people bicycled earlier in the day, then we swam in the lake until around 5:30pm and then as afternoon storm clouds began to gather, we made our way to the screened in pavilion for supper. It never fails to amaze me how much good food that we put together in hurry!

One brief downpour hit as we were setting up for supper, but then it cleared off for the meal. And what a meal...turkey, ham, and roast beef, pasta salads, pad Thai, beans, fruit, rice, carrots, southwestern dip, cake, banana pudding, and lots more!

Some of the group had just came out for the day and headed home after the meal and viewing Susan's photos from her Utah trip. Several others set up tents and a camper a stayed the night. More swimming and bicycling were planned for this morning.

Black Eyed Susans

I am off today to Lake Sinclair for a picnic supper with friends. I am hoping that we don't get rained out. It has been on and off clouds all day, and typically that means afternoon showers and thunder.

We are doing a potluck supper, where everyone brings a dish to share. I made a big bowl of southwestern rice with peppers, corn, tomatoes, onions, and other goodies mixed into it.

Today's photo is just a bunch of black eyed susans that had been planted in a bed. They were all blooming so pretty, that you just have to stop and take a few photos.

Peek-A-Boo

"You can't see me. I am hiding!"

Things that make you think

I wonder what he is thinking about?

PLEASE!

"Let me out, let me out!"

Back to School

Yesterday was the teacher's first day back in classes (after being furloughed for a couple of days), and Thursday is the first day for the kids. As a new school year starts up, it is a always a mix of emotions. Some people are excited about it, and others just want the summer break to continue for a few more weeks. This year, I am finding myself in the latter category. There isn't too much that I can do about it though. Oh well, I guess I can always find some comfort in that the last school year being completed puts me one more year closer to retirement. Come on 2020!

PhotoHunt - "Entertainment"

Today's PhotoHunt is "Entertainment".

For me, this morning's entertainment was a swarm of Junebugs in the front yard. I don't know why, but they are a couple of months late. I watched for over an hour as all sorts of birds took advantage of the bounty and ate dozens of the junebugs.