Flowers seem intended for the solace of ordinary humanity. - John Ruskin

winged

My admiration for creatures that fly isn't limited to birds, especially this time of year when dragonflies and damselflies are in abundance.  It seems every body of water, meadow, walkway or even roadway is currently a flight path for those in the odonata family.  

a type of whiteface skimmer dragonfly 

a bluet damselfly

I've visited Reflections Lake twice in the last month with family and friends from out-of-state, and I look forward to strolling this trail again.  This is where I spotted the insects above and the scenery + fauna below.  It must be beautiful come autumn as the marsh grasses and tress change color.

Eagle River Nature Center

While my sister was visiting last month, we took a trip to Eagle River Nature Center.  Having never been there, we weren't sure what to expect.  The drive beyond the town of Eagle River was gorgeous with glimpses of mountains and river despite lingering wildfire smoke.  

The Center was closed that day so we weren't able to tour the visitor center or get in-person advice on the best trails, but we had a pretty good idea which paths we wanted to take.  A dry erase board out front advised folks which trails are frequented by bears, and moments later we saw the first of many large piles of bear scat.  We hesitated a bit but then decided to continue.  Living and working in Yellowstone is where I accepted the risk of hiking in bear country, but that doesn't mean I don't get nervous.  It does mean I make a lot of noise on the trail.  After coaching my sister on what to do if we were to see a bear or be approached by a bear, we set off.  

part of the Albert Loop Trail

seemed like fairies should have been flitting amongst the Wild Irises

She laughed a lot as Tim and I yelled out "hey bear!" while clapping our hands and sang a lot of silly songs quite loudly.  I kept telling her "you want that bear to know you're coming."  Well, we never did see a bear - black or brown.  This is probably a good thing since we were distracted by the scenery in several places.  What a beautiful place to spend the day.

lovely columbine - this coloring is called Granny's Bonnets, Wild Columbine, Western Columbine or Canada Columbine 

Fireweed along the banks of Eagle River

This is Yellow Dryas, post-bloom with its "hairy" seeds.

A quick search of a US Forest Service website shows this could be Lungwort aka lung lichen, a food source for many forest critters and insects.

the weather

The Anchorage summer heat wave has finally ended.  We're now experiencing more reasonable temperatures, albeit still above normal.  Today is cloudy, cool and WONDERFUL.  It's nice to have a hot cuppa and not sweat while sipping it on the couch.  Our crazy calico is no longer sprawled on the floor, belly up, with a look of longing in her eyes for autumn-like weather.  We're just not a hot weather family.  Never have been.  I may have asked Tim when we'll be moving to northern Scotland when it hit 90°F at the airport on July 4th. 

So today, believe it or not, is still beach weather...in Alaska.  It's currently 60°F.  Yippee!

Kincaid beach

green things, flowery things, beach things, avian things and a few landscapes

Chocolate Lily

Red-necked Grebe through the reeds.  She was nested within a few feet of an asphalt trail, and she was sitting on five eggs.

Aww...ducklings

Wild Iris

wind farm on Fire Island

look what's peeking out just beyond her neck!

Horsetail poking through a fallen leaf

beautiful and fragrant rose at Earthquake Park

Common Loon

grebe silhouette

a puffy little fungi

Eskimo Potato

Wild Geranium

Tree Swallow nesting in a bird box at Potter Marsh

Canadian Dogwood

Canada Goose goslings