A Most Dry July ...

As we wrap up the end of July, I thought I would share some more recent images with some wildlife friends...

... and beautiful water. We realize the importance of water, especially when we are in the middle of a drought. Like Ben Franklin said;"When the well is dry, we learn the worth of water." We are fortunate here in the Mohawk Valley to have the Adirondack Mountain run-off via the West Canada Creek and into Hinckley Lake as our primary water source. It is great to see our water authority has kissed and made up with the Thruway Authority over water rights issues, and that Hinckley Lake water hasn't been sent over the dam this year, and put our precious water supply in jeopardy, and turned Hinckley into a mud pit, like a few years ago. Although it is most disturbing that in times of water shortages, we still think nothing of wasting millions of gallons of Hinckley water, to fill each lock, each time a pleasure craft goes through one of the canal locks.

July Images & Thoughts

....twenty-two states have lost at least 50 percent of their original wetlands, and seven states have lost more than 80 percent of their wetlands. Over the last 200 years, wetland acreage has diminished to the point where their economic and environmental benefits (i.e., ground water supply and water quality, shoreline erosion, floodwater storage, and trapping of sediments) are now seriously threatened.~Sierra Club

This pair of proud (and protective) parents were finally successful, as they hatched and have almost raised this lone handsome chick. This, after an unsuccessful attempt last year in which the devoted parents attended to a lone egg, long after the egg had died and was spoiled.

The marshes are alive with color this year. Beautiful yellow, pink and white wildflowers and cattails aplenty.

Frogs seem plentiful despite the lack of rain in the Adirondacks. Especially as coal-fire burning plants reducing emissions has improved the water quality some, although there seems to be an inordinate amount of jelly looking algae blooms and some mucky mud slime balls.

A group of mallards "dabbling"

Tiger Lilies have become abundant in the Adirondacks and this Tiger Swallow was rolling in and thoroughly enjoying her brief visit in my garden.

July Images...the heat is on!

"Summers Golden Glow" Sunset Whitestown,ny

"The Eagle" Frederick Proctor Memorial, Utica, NY The heat is (still) on here in the Mohawk Valley....some "sun-drenched" photos to maybe enjoy more in February

"Bugs World" My back yard

"AC & Cold Coffee" Not every one (understatement) finds refuge in the great outdoors in the summertime. Interestingly enough on a day when it is 90+ degrees, this is where you will find many MV residents

The Heat Is On and Little Rain In Sight...

So, what better place to "escape to" than the nearby Adirondack Mountains. In the mountains the temperature is usually 5-10 degrees cooler and often gets a little more rain. Although, this summer is seeing most of upstate NY state being fairly parched, including the Adirondacks. Hopefully, we will see some much needed rains soon. Until then, enjoy the sunny, bright and hot summer. As we upstaters love to say; "you'll be missing it come January"

"Adirondack Stream"

"Moment in Time" I took these photos "rock-hoppin" and slapping my head silly to discourage deerflies while near Irondequoit Mountain over the 4th of July.

July in the valley....hot fun & work in the summertime

End of the spring and here she comes back Hi Hi Hi Hi there Them summer days, those summer days....! ~Sly & the Family Stone That's when I had most of my fun, back high high high high there Them summer days, those summer days

On Golden Pond, Adirondack Park, NY

Red Barn Sauquoit, NY

Sunset whitestown, NY

Golden Flowers, Whitestown, NY

Flopsy the bunny, New Hartford,NY