Here is the view out my back windows this morning. It was a beautiful sunrise, and this is the reason we’re willing to pay some of the highest property taxes in North Texas to live here.

It was a somewhat sad sunrise, though, as it was the first one this summer without the swallows. The last one (of our little family) finally left yesterday. He was a holdout for a long time, coming back to roost at night all by himself for three nights. I wish them well on that long journey to South America, and hope to see them again next March.

Meanwhile, in the garden: yesterday I caught a photo of this lovely butterfly feasting on our red sage. This butterfly garden has really done its job; we get lots of them (along with bumblebees and a few hummingbirds). It really changes the ambiance to have this view from the kitchen window.

It’s hard to get good photos of the visitors, as they never stand still for more than a second. I’m still trying to capture one of the hummingbirds, but they swoop in, take a drink, and then they’re gone.

As summer fades away, we have the fall/winter birds to look forward to. Already there are more "dive bombers" on the lake every day (gull-type birds that fly along at least twenty feet above the lake and then suddenly drop straight down into the water and come back up with fish). Now we just wait for the return of the pelicans. The great thing about this place is the way it changes with the seasons, with Mother Nature providing constant entertainment that’s better than anything on TV.

deb@shinder.net     www.debshinder.com
"Never enter a battle of wits unarmed."