Growing Up

Our little fawn is growing up.

From this....

where she could easily fit under the fence,

To this....

now taller than the bottom fence rail.  

Cooper's Hawk

Cicada Killer Wasps

Have you noticed these insects during the height of Summer?

They are hard to miss if you have them, 

since the females can be up to 2 inches long!

They are cicada killer wasps.
The wasp digs a burrow, then flies off to sting and capture a cicada.

She then half flies, half drags the cicada, who is nearly double her weight,
back into the burrow, lays and egg on it and seals the chamber for her offspring to develop.
Theses wasps look fearsome, but rarely sting humans.
Still. I cringe when I mow over the burrows!

Where's (Wal) Bo?

Luna Moth

Lunch at the Farm

After our visit to Eagle Creek Park, we stopped for lunch at

the Trader's Point Creamery.

Its a restaurant, farm store and dairy farm all rolled into one.

 

 

The cows dine outside while you dine inside.

The cheese room can be viewed from the dining room.

The milkshake was yummy, the food was pricey with an emphasis on dairy products.

(Note the cottage cheese side dish)

But its a fun way to spend a summer day.

 Down on the farm

Eagle Creek Park

Eagle Creek Park is one of the largest city parks in the United States.

And its practically in my back yard, on the west side of Indy.

A break in the heat wave encouraged us to visit.

The park surrounds Eagle Creek Reservoir.

Hubby challenged me to photograph:

a bird, mammal, fish, insect, reptile & amphibian.

Ok, here ya go:

Bird - Duck, pretty easy with all the water.

 

Mammal - Chipmunk, again, easy since he was foraging in the bird feeding area.

Fish - Channel catfish, lucky shot since the fisherman was reeling him in as we hiked by.

He was more than happy to show off his catch!

Insect - Butterfly, easy with all the wildflowers.

Reptile - Painted turtle, cheated shot form the nature center aquarium!

Amphibian - Bullfrog, another cheated shot from the nature center!

But hey, I  got them all!

 

Here's a few more views.

The park is a lovely green oasis in the big city.