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Wednesday, July 08, 2009

Nature Notes: Mid Summer

This is the time of year when they start mowing around the trails at Shelley Lake. I like the smell of fresh mowed grass but I also like the way uncut tall grasses look. I'm never quite sure why they mow around the paved paths since they won't get covered up like the dirt ones would.The shot below is one I took a few months ago at the same general area although I turned to photograph the tall grasses and didn't get the path in the shot. That's the grass that was mowed. I think if it was up to me I would have let it be.
The shot below is the area below my deck which barely has a path left to walk through the blackberries and butterfly weed. That used to be one of the few parts of my garden that were mowed and left clear. I remember as more and more of the yard became a garden my daughter said, mom at least leave me enough room to toss a ball. That used to be the ball tossing area.
The berries below are growing pretty high in some trees along the path around Shelley Lake. I'm not sure what they are but they remind me more of fall berries than summer ones.One of the bushes in my front yard whose name escapes me looks like it is confused. The red leaves are usually a sign of fall but we are barely into mid summer.
As a matter of fact when I first saw the red in the bush above, I thought it was a male cardinal like the one in the tree below. Usually when a flash of red catches my eye in a tree or bush this time of year, it is a bird.The female cardinals tend to blend in more but the one below caught my eye. It's red beak was poking out for all to see.For other participants, please visit the home of Nature Notes.

11 comments:

Leora said...

Is is midsummer already? I have been buried in work.

Love your little cardinal. And the idea that you love the high grass before it is cut. Thanks for sharing your natural world.

Jasper said...

nice!

Unknown said...

I love your garden.
So pretty!
Maybe it's government regulation that they have to cut the grass?

Plus, I think in the US is a big problem with a plant called Ambrosia.
They just gave the warning for this years blossom in Hungary (it came to Europe from the US).
And they make everyone mow the grass here on regular bases.
They can even have a lock smith come and brake in your yard when you neglect it and you have that stuff there.

I googled it and I think I've seen it since a few times.

That's one (or rather two) ideas I could think of.

Carletta said...

Where has the summer gone!
I love your natural backyard.
I understand your thoughts toward high grass - wonderful in the wind.
Is the red tipped bush Photinia? That's what it looks like.
I hadn't seen any cardinals since early spring but just happened to see one out my sunroom window this morning.
Lovely nature post Carver!

Ayie said...

so green, i love looking at it. So peaceful and calm.

DeLi said...

i need to walk and breathe with these greens..hopefull thsi weekend, ill have teh chance to do so

amanda said...

Those berries are looking pretty good, along with all that greenery! great shots!

Anonymous said...

those berries look very interesting. in this part of the world, berry trees are not so common so i really enjoyed that picture of yours.

MyMaracas said...

Love the berries, though I don't know what they are.

We've let a large part of our land grow up in tall grass. I love it now, but I don't know what to do with it once it dies in the fall. Leave it to rot? Cut it ... and do what with the cut grasses? Decisions, decisions.

RJ Flamingo said...

Such a lovely little plot of earth... I have to stop concentrating on the bugs and concentrate on the plants and birds again!

Rambling Woods said...

The grass along our bike paths are cut since there have been attacks (and murders) with all the places to hide. They finally caught the serial killer but they are still going to keep everything cut down. Sorry, this took a nasty turn in such a beautiful post.....Michelle