Touch-Me-Nots

I remember being shown Touch-Me-Not plants as a kid where we used to go camping up north. Palmer Lake is INFESTED with them. Since July they've been growing like mad and some of the plants are over 6 feet tall. Only recently have the seed pods come out so I figured I'd try to capture a movie of their infamous "exploding" seeds.
An interesting phrase from Wikipedia: These plants derives their scientific name Impatiens (Latin for "impatient") and the common name "touch-me-not" in reference to their seed capsules. When the capsules mature, they "explode" when touched, sending seeds several meters away. This mechanism is also known as "explosive dehiscence"; see also Rapid plant movement. Other than that, starting to see a few large grasshoppers here and there. Also, in the same place as always the wild vines are starting to take over the underbrush and even the trees. Every year they create these cool looking sloped walls or "tents" that you could probably camp right under if you could stand the mosquitos.

Colorful Morning

Lots and lots of Butterflies and insects out this morning. Almost all of them in the same area on the south side where wildflowers seem to be taking over the field. Spotted this Tiger Swallowtail right away on some flowers of his own color. The "touch-me-not" plants are attracting just about every kind of insects with their small orange flowers. Bumble bees actually crawl right inside them but I couldn't get a photo as they are too quick.







Near the ball fields on the east side I spotted a face in the woods. This was the same place where I saw the Doe and Fawns pop out from.

Back on the south side the turtles were sunning themselves in the creek.
Later, I got a better opportunity for a Bumble Bee pic.

Hawks everywhere

No rain today but still VERY humid and hot. While walking along the edge of the ball fields on the West side I heard a bird up in the trees that sounded like it was in distress. When I looked up I saw this big Hawk sitting there. Whatever bird was making the noise continued to do so until the Hawk moved on. Back on the South side I noticed another Hawk and then another. I could hear them squawking back and forth to each other. This particular one must have been perched near a squirrel's home because right after he took off I saw this squirrel come out and inspect things. There are still a few baby ducks around but this family seemed to have just one.

Much needed rain

On Friday afternoon we received 9/10ths of an inch of rain. Then another 9/10ths more on Friday night and Saturday morning. When I started my walk Saturday morning, it was still raining. I started noticing little slugs crossing the path as I've often seen in the spring. They look exactly like the snails I see but without the shell. Upon crossing Shingle Creek on the North side, you could tell that the water was a good foot higher than just a few days ago. Back on the South side I watched this Green Heron fishing in the now much higher water. Having been about 8 inches below normal rainfall, all the rain was much needed. Wildlife in the park almost seemed to be celebrating. Carp were jumping out of the water so frequently that I was able to capture one with my camera.

Perfect summer evening

Despite all the people in the park, I saw two deer tonight. The first was a buck who waded right across Shingle Creek and up the bank into the tall grass. I just caught him out of the corner of my eye and didn't manage to get my camera out in time. I hurried a bit further down the trail thinking I might run into him again but instead out popped a doe. I stupidly had my camera on a video setting so here is my first video for the blog.
Tons of rabbits out tonight. I caught this one standing on his hind legs to munch on some cattails. One more different colored Iris to add to my collection. Spent a while at the southern end of the creek just watching all the action near the water. Carp, Egrets and Green Herons were everywhere. Later the sunset turned the sky pink.