Midsummer Menagerie

Summer is arriving in a bright, heavy cloak of humid heat. Today's solstice will mark the longest day of the year, the official first day of Summer, but Midsummer in the ancient Celtic calendar (May Day marking the first of summer). I prefer to see it as Midsummer, because summer is most definitely not my favorite season. It brings many gifts and I always try to embrace it and be thankful for the warmth and sunshine I know I'll miss come winter. Summer certainly showers us with blooms and colors galore, plus fruits and vegetables (and bugs!). Here's hoping summer is robust but not void of cloud, breeze, and rain. Happy Summering.

Milkweed

Purple Coneflower - Echinacea

Queen Anne's Lace

Prickly Pear Cactus Bloom

Prickly Pear Cactus - the green between blooms and pads turn into red fruits (prickly pears)

Native Prickly Pear Cactus

Wild Bergamot

Chipmunk Lunchtime