FLORA & FAUNA

Summer is here.  There is no denying it.  Temps in the high 80's to mid 90's, with the occasional afternoon thunderstorms.  Spring was spectacular and turned all the foliage from wintry drab to bright greens with splashes of flowers of all colors.  The river is always cool, clear and most refreshing.   We have had several days rain but today is about as perfect as you might want for an "enjoy the moment" kind of day.    Every once in a while, a troop of turkeys or deer will make their way over to Meditation Point and around that area.  Anytime is a great time to take a dip in the river or just sitting in the shallow water letting nature drain the pressures out of you.

Star-gazing with the clear skies we're having is awesome by the pond.  You've never seen so many stars with your naked eyes.  The fireflies are out everywhere in the evenings with an occasional bat flittering about catching flying evening insects.  Its wonderful to relax around the pond in the evening, listening to the soothing sounds of the insects and birds.  If you hear the owls calling, its usually the barred owls.  These owls are most active this time of year, raising their broods.  They often have been spotted around the cabins and in the woods. 

I went for a walk in the woods today and took several nice pictures of what is now in bloom.  Purples in the verbenas and ageratum, and yellows in the rudbekias.

           
                                  Azaleas in and around the Chalet grounds

Click on picture to enlarge

Across the river from the Treehouse, is a beaver or river otter slide down to the river.  I would love to be able to photograph what critter slides on the slide.  The Treehouse beach has been scattered with beaver sticks, so I know it's beavers.  David once spotted a couple of river otters and their three babies swimming by the Chalet.  What a thrill that must have been.       

Three juveniles raccoons, who I have dubbed Larry, Curly and Moe, are now making a nightly trek to check my birdfeeders.  They keep me on my toes to make sure I take the feeders down before they can get to them.  I've seen 2 juvenile turkeys in my front "yard".  David saw a gaggle of turkeys up by the gate early morning last week.

There are lots of cardinals, tufted-tit mice, Carolina wrens, towhees, Carolina chickadees, ruby-throated hummers,  red-shouldered hawks, barred owls and prothonotary warblers are out and about.  

             Female turkey           Carolina Chickadee         Tufted-tit mouse                 Armadillo                          

I hope you have enjoyed the pictures.  We would love for you to stay at Little River Bluffs and explore the woods and meadows on your own.  You never know what exciting discoveries you might find.  

To be continued....  

As usual, one of us  will continue this page later on, so please check back to see the latest news at Little River Bluffs.

David and Doris (we're brother and sister) wish you peace and hope you're coming here soon to enjoy the wonderful weather, the river, pond, the wildflowers, meadows and trees.