Monarch Butterfly I'm not



Gulf Fritillary Butterfly


Well, maybe it's just me--but when I saw this orange and black beauty I thought it was a Monarch butterfly. I grabbed the camera and snapped this shot thinking this would be great for my blog! However, when I opened the picture on the computer, this butterfly looked different to me. I remembered some pictures Cliff took last year, near the Marina Civic Center in downtown Panama City. It was in October, which is when the Monarchs visit our area. I found the pictures (there is one below) and sure enough they were indeed Monarchs.  So...I did some research and found out that the Gulf Fritillary is the correct name for this butterfly. I'm not disappointed at all because these beautiful butterflies are all over the yard this time of year. It just goes to show you--there is always something new to learn!



Monarch Butterfly



Update on Jack and Diane

Well....it seems our little couple has been busy this year! I wish I could have taken pictures of the whole brood when they were babies, but at least Cliff was able to see them. He saw a Semi truck stop traffic so they could cross the road---and guess where they were going? To the gas station, of course. I took these pictures a couple of weeks ago. We pulled up to the station and they were hanging out beside the store. Jack was still quite protective, not letting me get too close!

Camping at St. Andrews State Park

If you get a chance to visit St. Andrews State Park, located in Panama City Beach, Florida it is worth the trip to spend the night camping. We did just that a couple of weeks ago. The only issue we had was that it was faaareeeezing cold and very windy. We bundled up, had a cozy fire and made the best of it. Actually, we weren’t the only crazy people out there. Some of the campers had heated RV’s but I did see several tents like ours. We really enjoyed the nature trails and being able to see the wildlife up close. Here are some of the pictures we took on our adventure.


Turpentine Still

Our Campsite

Blue Heron

One of the many deer we saw.

Waves crashing on the Jetties

Happy Halloween!!!

Calliope says Happy Halloween!

Here's one of my favorite Halloween songs---Monster Mash!  Enjoy!

Farewell to the Summer

It seems funny to say that-- because it's still hot outside and the air conditioner is running. There is a feeling in the air though, and I can tell that summer is soon leaving us. It has been a long interesting summer. Let's see... we relocated two baby opossums out of the yard. (I was afraid the dogs would attack them) I spent a few nights looking for what was digging up my flower beds. I figured it was an armadillo and I was correct. I renamed him "Armadiggalo". I thought that was appropriate for the mess he made. We did not relocate him because he wasn't making any worse of a mess than the dogs do. Besides, have you ever seen an armadillo up close? They are kind of cute in an alien sort of way. The biggest summer event was rescuing two newborn kittens from a park. They had obviously been abandoned by their mother. So began the two hour feedings around the clock. They are doing well and getting big. We also adopted another kitten before we found the newborns. I've been busy! Well, the hummingbirds are still here and the flowers are still blooming but I know that summer is fading fast. Here are some scenes from our summer of 2011.

Chester keeping cool

Mr. Armadiggallo

Dinner!

Jake watching Rusty

It's Blueberry pickin' time!

Wild Blueberries in our yard

We are so lucky to have wild Blueberry bushes growing in our yard. I look forward to picking these delicious bursts of sugar every year! This bush has been here since I've had the property, so she's pretty old. There
are several bushes growing wild here, but I always seem to pick from this particular one. I like having them on hand for a quick snack and they are great frozen too! You can also drive north on Hwy. 231 to a "U Pick" blueberry farm. I might have to go check that out--because I love blueberries and they are so good for you!

Ahhh Summertime.......

The sprinklers are going, the neighborhood kids are playing, and the bugs are biting! It was blazing hot here today and although I only ventured outside a few times, I was bitten by yellow flies. These tenacious little demons make life along the creek miserable during the month of June. I've read all sorts of ideas for distracting them. I think the best method is to stay inside in the air conditioning and get a little house work accomplished. Thankfully, I'm not allergic to these vampires. They just make me call them bad names and itch like crazy. At least the Dollar Store is making money--since we are buying out all their supplies of "Off" bug spray. Here is a lovely photo of the villain I've been complaining about. Do you think I used enough adjectives to describe him?

Meet Jonesy and Jake

Playing in the back yard

These are our two dogs Jonesy (Jones) and Jake. This will be a short introduction to our animal family members, because we have a few. I admit it, I love animals. We also have cats and of course, all of the wildlife around us. Jonesy is six years old and Jake is a year old. They love to play together and they are always in some kind of trouble. When they are in trouble, I simply refer to them as "Your dogs". For  example, when Jake runs across the yard with one of my plants dangling from his mouth, I tell Cliff, my husband, "That is your dog!!" It somehow makes me feel better.

A Beautiful Day



 This Morning in Bear Creek

Today's weather was near perfect! Nothing but cool breezes and blue skies. This time last week it felt like mid summer while I was in the yard. I know it will not last, but I am enjoying the break. 

The Mimosas and the Gardenias are in full bloom. It seems all of Bear Creek smells like summer.

Smell that Mimosa!

A little ditty about Jack and Diane....

Gas Station near Bear Creek

 I've borrowed John Mellencamp's lyrics to name these chickens that frequent the local gas station on Hwy. 231. I ask you, how often do you get to fill up your tank, get a snack, and have chickens walking around you?  These two seem to be happy together and I must say, they do make quite a good looking couple!

Who Who, Who cooks for you?

Look who decided to hang out in our back yard this afternoon! This is a beautiful Barred Owl. (This is the best picture we were able to take considering the lighting, the position and not having the greatest camera). For the twenty plus years I have been living in Bear Creek, these owls have been daily visitors. Their distinct calls are a part of our lives along the creek. If you haven't experienced the call of a Barred Owl, you are missing an unusual and entertaining opportunity! Check out this video to hear---Who  Who, Who cooks for you?