The sun had already risen and was hiding behind the black cloud hanging over Lake Huron and shining down on it. I loved the butterscotch like color. Sunrises are an important start to my day. The dogs get me up about 5:30 and go outside to scare away rabbits and deer. I turn on the TV to get the weather and marvel at the traffic reports. The sun rises soon after my first or second cup of tea. Kathy came Saturday and brought dinner. I always have a great time with her. Wished she lived a little closer; she and Andy live on the other side of Detroit near Ypsilanti which means she has to drive through Detroit and the expresway there is not in the best shape plus it's a long drive. Clicking on photos will enlarge them.
I thought Cedar Waxwings migrated but this group was perched together near the top of one of my aspens.
Every year I threaten not to feed my outdoor birds but the first cold temperatures, wind, and snow always make me change my mind. I have many different representatives of the woodpecker clan visit my suet feeders and sunflower feeders and I do love watching them all.
The twenty-third was David's birthday. Jon and Tracy came up to help me celebrate. As usual, we overdid it - in my opinion. Steak from our favorite farm market north of Bad Axe, huge lobsters, escargo pasta, salad, baked potatoes, and lots of butter, garlic from my garden, and one of Tracy's famous berry pies - this time a combination of strawberry and blueberry. This was definitely
not a
healthy feast but we all loved it regardless.
Because the weather was mild, we decided to take a walk along the shore of Lake Huron. We found many Petoskey stones (https://www.michigan.org/article/trip-idea/where-find-petoskey-stones-michigan). More than we have ever found in the summer. Maybe other beach front scavengers pick up more Petoskeys when the weather is nicer.
It seems like there is an abundance of woolly bear catepillars this year.
(https://animalsake.com/information-about-woolly-bear-caterpillars)
They are everywhere. This one seemed to be muching on the lichens growing on this rock - maybe?
(https://www.butterfliesandmoths.org/species/Pyrrharctia-isabella)