The heat index that is, which has hovered around the 106 mark this entire week and why would the weekend be any different? There should be a mark on the thermometer that says "YOU don't want to know" and that is about where we've been! My eyes are swimming in puddles that collect in my glasses, makes binocular using hard at best. Sis and I made a trip over to Cheraw State Park, got a stamp on my book and this was her first visit..
stamp goes in the square on the bottom edge...I'M so much enjoying this stamp collecting.
There is kayak rentals here but $10 a hr didn't sit well with a couple of bargain hunters so we will do that at a cheaper rate some place else!
The boardwalk is nice we did some birding, and enjoyed the lake views on our hike. Mostly by ear birding as the birds are hiding back in the cool shade rather than the verge where the sun is making it hotter.
We didn't have any new birds to add on this trip, we did scrape up 14 birds to list for our walk...including some Mississippi Kites.
Somebody didn't clear up their lunch trash!!
Last Sunday I wanted to hit my 5 mile radius hotspot Goodale State Park. Its only a couple miles from home. I got a stamp for my new passport book...this is fun! I love collecting "free things" and this fits right in with my stamp collection of the National Parks Passport books, and the penny turning too...no penny turners yet but I must keep my eye out some of the gift shops may have one.
Again the heat was on...my photos turned out pretty awful everything was way far out there...
the sun beats down...and puts a white glare on everything, i have to make friends with summer, hello summer I love you but can you leave earlier than expected this year? :o)
I soaked my bandanna in cold water at the picnic shelter then put that under my cap on top of my head this helps me stay cool.
...way back across the pond, I had one Mallard, one Gr Blue Heron, 3 Anhinga, one Great Egret...
...way back across the pond, I had one Mallard, one Gr Blue Heron, 3 Anhinga, one Great Egret...
...back even farther away was the prize for going out on this scorching hot day the Little Blue Heron..New for the 5 Mile Radius! I think I had my count off and I'm not sure where I went wrong on relating my count this makes bird #113 according to ebird. A blurry for the record shot...I even thought it could be reddish but it was too small for reddish egret.
Had a Black n White Warbler looking down on me from the leafy canopy..
A juvenile Eastern Bluebird was out learning the ropes on how to catch insects for a living..
The views are closing up as the vegetation reaches out to close the gap...
And lastly a mother Blue Grosbeak was giving me the evil eye..
Time to head home and hit the showers!
there goes my Little Blue!
And Friday we made another trip because our weather is so awesome this week what a difference a week makes. We drove about 1/2 an hr up to the Carolina Sandhills Natl, Wildlife Refuge. For a quick picnic and wildlife drive-by birding. Mom joined us. By the headquarters building they have Butterfly Milkweed in the flower beds, I want some of this...
This place has lots of ponds and all are beautiful...
painted lady butterfly & friend
The button bush was attracting all kinds of butterflies and other pollinators.
Eastern tiger swallowtail
Not to mention the Passionflower.
We had lots of Eastern Kingbirds....
And found at least one immature Pine Warbler,
And then it was time for the weekend to start!!
PEACE
Every day is a new Adventure.
Phew too hot!! We've had a small heatwave here, I am not a fan!! I love the idea of the stamps, we should do that here with all the reserves! I remember seeing a Swallowtail when I was in Florida, it was so much bigger than butterflies we get in the UK!
ReplyDeleteHI Pam, yes these swallowtails are as big as my hand! We had a little cool down but now it's going back up to the high 90's.
DeleteI like it warm but when the heat hits 30C thats me done for. Last Thursday it was 30C here and I was looking for shade all day.
ReplyDeleteGreat photos of the ponds.
I've just been reading about the diet of Mallards and they will eat virtually anything thats going even frogs and small birds, I was surprised.
Cool showers in the heatwave especially before bed are a must.
30 is = to about 86. As long as it's not humid I could deal with that it's the humidity that makes it so unkind here!! Your clothes get soaked in sweat just being outside. I did not know mallards would eat frogs!!
DeleteI think you are very brave - or very foolish, perhaps, to venture abroad in those conditions. I think I would hibernate for the summer. In the winter it doesn't matter how cold is I can layer up and stay warm, but it is impossible to escape the kind of heat you are experiencing.
ReplyDeleteYes but in a way I guess we grow accustomed to it sort of...
Delete2 really nice adventures but the heat on the first one would never have me being a part of that. All your pictures came out pretty good. You have so many birds there it keeps me wanting to see more. I like the stamp book idea. I should pick one up and then I will have it on hand once this horrible weather leaves and I can start start traveling again.
ReplyDeleteI really am enjoying filling in my stamps.
DeleteWow, I am glad to read that your weather has moderated some! That heatwave earlier was terrible... I think the Pacific Northwest was the only part of the country that wasn’t hot red on the weather map. Both the Parks you visited look great....can’t blame the birds for hiding out during those temps.
ReplyDeleteTrue, we had planned to go swimming but it was too crowded...
DeleteHello, this park looks beautiful. I love the lake views. I do not like winter but I also do not like the hot humid weather. Pretty birds and butterfly images. Enjoy your day, wishing you a happy new week ahead!
ReplyDeleteThe weather can hold us hostage but here in the South we are pretty well equipped for the heat...and sort of expect it. The week we just had was gorgeous. It all depends on the how the gulf stream behaves!
DeleteThese are wonderful pictures of beautiful places but the wilting heat would keep me indoors … so nice that your mom could join you on a better weather day.
ReplyDeleteHi and thank you for your comment..this time of year our weather can be a little uncomfortable..Im looking forward to falls cooler temps. The humidity is the issue here!
DeleteI did enjoy seeing all of your photographs, and as Penelope also said … it was nice that your mom could join you.
ReplyDeleteEnjoy the coming weekend.
All the best Jan
Thank you Jan...We love when Mom comes along cause she sure enjoys it...it also highlights some issues that most handicapped and older persons have trying to visit our parks, it is not easy just to get to the bathroom.
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