Hang in there

This is just a squirrel hanging strangely on the feeder, leg dangling down. Seemed to be having a good time. I'm kind of feeling the need to hang in there too, with a lot going on in addition to getting almost six inches of rain in 24 hours. I know we had more snow, but i don't think we ever had that much rain, it just kept coming down and soaking. Many basements filled with water (mine included, which only ever happened before when i pipe broke). Hopefully it won't rain soon and make it worse.

The other of the pair

This is the mate of the previous bird. Smaller and less colorful, but i'm not sure if it's male or female. Some species it's the males who are more colorful, and others it's the female. I keep trying to get pictures of the cardinals, who i know i have at least two couples of as i have seen four at a time on the deck. I also keep not getting very good pictures of the ravens or crows that have been hanging out back there, even though there are dozens, they seem to stick to the trees.

Bird plus thistle equals happy bird

I was doing dishes and looked out the window to see this bright yellow bird on the huge thistle plant near the deck. I am so bad at identifying birds, so i have no clue what kind it is, but i like it. I tend to let a couple thistles grow amoung the flowers and other plants in the yard, partly because i'm allergic to most plants and break out in hives if i touch them and partly for this reason. The wild birds seem to enjoy them. The purple flowers are pretty to look at too. I was about to put my camera away, when i noticed the other part of this bird couple. Not sure which is male and which is female, but i'll be posting the less colorful of the two next.

Wild bunny on deck

I was in the kitchen and i saw some movement out on the deck, i had my camera handy and tried to get some pictures of him or her. I didn't scare him, but he wasn't too pleased to see me so he went down the steps. I didn't get it in any of the photos, but he has a little white diamond on his forehead. Pretty cute.

It's been unseasonably cold the last few days, with temps in the 50s or 60s during the day and getting into the 40s at night. I saw on the news that we haven't had average weather most of spring and summer, its either much warmer or much cooler, doesn't linger in the middle. I kind of like it like this, cooler over warmer though. Especially when i'm feeling sick, it's nicer to crawl under blankets than sweat and be too hot.

Getting ready for the parade

For some reason people around here stake claims on spots for the parade that is happening today for River Falls Days. Growing up i don't remember this, but i didn't grow up around here, so maybe it's a local thing. People lay out blankets mostly, with some people putting up caution tape. This is outside of the post office, but this sight stretches all the way of the parade route and people start putting them out around a week before hand. Last night had storms, so i'm wondering how many were blown away or soaked with rain. I'm not a fan of this, it's ugly and lazy. Not to mention people bringing lawn chairs and other furniture when the parade actually starts. It's one thing if you can't stand for long periods, but it's almost solid chairs once the parade starts.

Quonset Hut, sort of

This is one of my favorite houses in town, although a bit small for my tastes, as the bunnies like having more room to run(yeah, that's the reason). It's a quonset hut that someone has modified quite a bit. I'm fascinated by it, and more than a bit curious what it's like inside. The funny thing is it's right next door to one that doesn't seem to have been modified at all. I don't know why, but River Falls seems to have quite a bit of modified houses like this for it's size. Someday i'll get a picture of the farm with a barn and silo that seem to have been altered a lot, i love those.

Two young wild rabbits

Here are two very young wild bunnies in my front yard yesterday. Kind of hard to spot right away, but just adorable at how small they are. They were eating the dandelion leaves, a lot of them actually, natural lawn care.

Baby yard bunny

This is one of the two baby wild rabbits i saw in my yard the other day. It's good to see them out and about, but i worry about them, with traffic and predators. Not sure if you can tell how small this one was, only a bit bigger than my hand, with the other one i was unable to get a picture of smaller than my hand. They were eating dandelion leaves when i went out to check my mail.

Flamingo in the grass

This is one of my flamingos hiding the wet plants in my yard. Not the most stealthy, but doing what it can to stay dry and warm, but not really succeeding too well.

Wet Iris

Sensing a theme the last few days? ;) Yes, it's been raining a lot. So here is an iris in my yard that isn't looking too happy, along with a lot of people in the area the last few days. It actually feels like fall lately, which is a weird sensation for june.

Another wet bird

This is a younger bird that was wet and cold on my deck. The baby birds are getting more loud and hungry, i see baby grackles hopping around with mouths open and squawking for food, cute but loud. 

Wet, cold dove

This morning dove is wet and cold because it's been very cold here the last few days, and raining too. The rain we needed, as we were (not sure if we still are) under a drought, but the cold i could do without. it's been in the 50s (54F 12C right now) the last couple days, and that's much colder than it normally is, or even has been lately. There were reports of snow in Montana, but there are mountains there. Hopefully it doesn't snow here this summer. 

Scary day care sign

This is a sign for a day care that closed a while ago. I'm not sure who designed that clown logo, but it freaks me out. I'm not sure if they could have made a creepier clown if they tried. 

Old car

I saw this car on the way to the memorial day event. I love old cars, partly because my parents have a Model A Ford that my uncle restored and left to them after he passed. Summer seems to bring out a lot of the classic and antique cars. Pretty sure this is about as old as you can find around here though.