Fluffy!

Fall Fruits of the Forest

Can you name these forest fruits?

Clockwise from the top:

Osage Orange (also called hedge apple)

Acorn
Walnut

PawPaw (the Indiana Banana)

Buckeye
Pear

Not all of these are edible for humans, but they do feed many wildlife.

Candy Corn Fungus

Mother Nature is playing a little trick on us,

tinting this fungus the color of candy corn.

Tiger Swallowtail Caterpillar

Several of these caterpillars were munching on the carrots in my garden.

The field guide says they are tiger swallowtail caterpillars.

What YOU Lookin' At?

Indiana's Bicentennial Torch

Indiana is celebrating is 200th birthday this year.

A torch is being carried through each of the 92 counties as part of the celebration.

 As luck would have it, we were there when the torch came through Madison.

Local citizens carried the torch along the riverfront park,

 Down to the river, where it was loaded on to a jet boat for a lap on the water,

And finally handed off to a horseback rider,

  who carried it up to the courthouse.

Madison really knows how to celebrate!

Meet Me in Madison

Madison, Indiana that is.

We took a short trip to this quaint town on the Ohio river.

There is lots of history in this old steamboat port,
including the historic Lanier Mansion.

 Tours are available of the mansion.
This is a view from the 2nd level, looking out on the gardens and the river.

 The architecture is wonderful here, from lots of shotgun houses,

 To many duplex homes painted to appear like separate residences.

 Clifty Falls State Park is just outside the town and a great place to hike.
This is a view from the inn, looking at the Ohio River.

The town is also known for the jet boat races on the river.
Lots of fun & loud engines!

And who knew that the boats enter the water by crane!

A beautiful sunset over the Ohio river.

As the full moon rises over the bridge and our trip comes to an end.

Classic Indiana

Just some scenes from Indiana!

Buckeyes

Its buckeye season.

The nuts are dropping to the forest floor.

Grandkids rush to collect them before the squirrels get them.

Shrooms

Lots of rain lately, 

so we've got mushrooms!

Dragonfly