Oak Fluff

How have I lived here all this time without noticing the oak fluff? What is this stuff? It was all over certain of our oaks in April, when these photos were taken. I don't know if this one is a white or a red oak.

Leaf-footed Hopper

London Sky

Slim Moth, Early April

Bur Oak in March

Death of a Prickly Pear

Dotted Moth

Aunt Joyce

My Aunt Joyce, aged 90, longtime resident of London, died today. This photo of her as a child, taken by my grandfather, seems particularly appropriate; she was deeply religious all her life.
















She trained as a nurse & served in Burma during World War II. In later years she was head nurse at Mile End Hospital, where she spent her last many weeks. I don't know exactly when or where this photo was taken, but clearly she was rising in the ranks!







This is in Cornwall in the 1920s (again by my grandfather). Joyce is on the left, my Uncle Teddy on the right; I don't know the little boy in the middle. Teddy was a pilot in the RAF and died in WWII.

Oh, the bloom of youth! Here's to you, Aunt Joyce.

Wren House

One of the wrens was just sitting on the little entrance pole chittering at Hamilton Cat, who was causing great distress to the wren. I invited Hamilton in, though he seemed fairly oblivious to the bird (good).

Where Oh Where Was Their Proofreader?

Buzzard in Cypress Mill

It appeared to be tagged on its wing....odd, but I can't think what else it could be.

North Carolina Moth

Steve in North Carolina sent me this photo of this lovely ermine moth (he also provided the link). So beautiful! Thank you, Steve!

The Little Judge

Many are the times that I wish I was a cat.

Jessie

Foxy!

These Folks Down The Road Miss Loretta So Much That They Named Their Ranch After Her

On Mount Gainor Road

Butterfly (Not)

Prickly Pear Husk

Fancy Moth

Cows, Wood, Hay

Still Life

Sunset

Dogs is Dogs

The Stuff That Birds' Nests Are Made Of

New Moon

Staghorn Beetle Wood

Loretta's New Area

The Lewis family gave me a "Knockout" rosebush to plant on top of Loretta. It just bloomed and it is indeed a knockout! The same kind of rose is planted on top of their little cat Lucy, who died just 4 days before Loretta. The Lewises were special friends of Lo; Jeannie knew her almost as long as I did.

Jeannie also made the lovely mosaic tile. Later on I'll take away most of the stones, but for now I'm making sure that no dogs or anything else dig up my little cat.





Above is the after; below is the before. The long hard freeze this winter killed off most of what was planted there and it needed a good makeover anyway. Hamilton doesn't know what all the fuss is about; he's just into the new catmint plant.