Young Damsel

After I finished my 4th radiation treatment this morning, I dashed off to meet a friend at a favorite trail.  We talked and meandered for several miles, enjoying a multitude of wildlife along the way and beautiful clear blue skies.

This is the time of year when a lot of the dragons and damsels are out and today didn't disappoint.  I really would have been better served with a macro lens for this, but it came out well enough considering I was using a telephoto lens.  This is a fresh, young female Eastern Forktail.  When she is mature, her color will be a soft blue accented by bright green eyes.  I actually love seeing the young females when they are this burnished orange color - very striking.

Home for a quick shower and then off to do the weekly grocery shopping.  Then home to check nest boxes - one wren nest has six eggs and it looks like the other has five and both females are brooding.  And then some pottering around outside just because it's so beautiful today.  Tomorrow will be much cooler with some rain and then the weekend temps are dropping into the 50's.  

Last night while Hubs and I were having dinner, something walked off with best (squirrel proof) feeder.  I am leaning towards a bear just because the feeder is nowhere to be found and bears usually like to haul their treasures off into the woods.  Irritating because this really was my best feeder.  I think I'll set up the trail cam tonight to see if it comes back.  Alternatively it could be raccoons although they would not usually carry a feeder away.  Grrr.  Last summer we had no bear problems so I think I got a bit spoiled.

My radiation appointment is a half hour later tomorrow and then I'm off for 3 days.  So far, no skin irritation which is encouraging.  Fingers crossed.  

Be safe, be kind and I'm liking dark chocolate with hazel nuts today.

xo
Debbi