Random Photos For a Rainy Day...

I'm experiencing another rainy day in Alaska, 

so I thought I would post a few of my recent photos to brighten up

my day and maybe yours.

July set a record for one of the coldest months ever recorded in Anchorage!!

It's a year of records, this winter we set the record for the most snowfall ever recorded.

I hope we can set the warmest August ever, but I'm not sure that's written in the cards for us!!

The first photo is of one of my Meadow Rue Plants.  These plants are very winter hardy

perennials, so I'm very thankful to see them green up in the spring.

The bees love them, so these flowers are a favorite stop.

This bottom photo is of a spent peony. It never fails to rain

when the peonies bloom.   I took this photo at our local perennial

garden.  I love walking through the garden, but I never go without my 

bear spray.  There are always signs posted of black bear sightings, so

besides my camera the pepper bear spray always make the journey

with me.  I have yet to learn to take the bug spray!!!

The mosquitoes are probably worse 

than the bears!!

Right before another rainfall I spotted this butterfly take food

and shelter under this bell flower.  This flower grows

wild all through Alaska.  Butterflies have been scarce this summer, I hope 

to see more as we get closer to fall.

The bottom photo is of a male Gross Beak.  It's hard to see his crossed bill

because of the landscape behind him.  He was super busy

eating little chickweed flowers and seeds so he hardly stopped to notice me.

These birds are so beautiful in the winter when we have tons of snow 

on the ground and trees.

The females are a soft greenish yellow.

These birds are wonderful singers and the forests around my house

just come alive in the spring with their songs.

I'm posting a photo of some Bog Stars.  Flowers that like rain more than me!  :o)

These flowers love damp areas so this is a good year for them. 

I'm sure they are loving our weather.

Two weekends ago we had a 70 degree plus day (I know...yahoo!!!)  and I spotted

these little dime sized butterflies trying to get a 

drink by the side of a creek.

It's not the best photo, but if you look closely you can see their tongues (proboscis)

all trying to suck up moisture through their straw like tubes.

Even with all this rain our 

rhubarb is blooming and its going to seed.  I never realized how

pretty the flowers were until I got up close to them and

took this photo.

The seed heads were starting to form on this particular stem.  I love

their red colored edges.

And.....

even though it's been rainy my secret wild strawberry patch has

been busy producing fruit.  These little berries are so much better

than store bought strawberries.  They have a very short shelf

life so they have to be eaten right away!!!

They are a great treat for a rainy day!!!

Hope you day is full of sunshine!!!

:o)