Lafayette Coopers Hawk

Today while I was monitoring a mitigation wetland, a Coopers hawk made a visit. He landed in the marsh and got a drink, walked around, and then landed in a dead tree. This greatly displeased the murder of crows nearby.

Eastern Pond Hawk

Tippecanoe County, IN

Deer Creek State Park

This week I was working on the pipeline in Ohio at Deer Creek State Park. They have a lodge and we stayed there for the night. Here is a picture out my hotel room window of Deer Creek Reservoir in the moonlight.

Giant Swallowtail

A Giant Swallowtail on Poison Ivy in Deer Creek State Park, Ohio.

Anna Hess (Jan. 14, 2005 - Aug. 17, 2007)

- our first hooded rat

- a loving and loved sister to Tara, Ashley and Aubrey

- content and persevering

- a shy sweetie

- submissive follower

- smart and willing to learn

- grasping cheerio-lover

- foam stick and q-tip chaser

- groomer of others

- lover of hammocks and sleeves

- master treat stealer and stasher

- interior decorator

- snuggly cuddler

- Aubrey’s teacher and heroine

Last Friday, we said good bye our oldest rat, Anna. Anna was Tara’s sister and out lived Tara by nine months. Anna was a motherly rat who always took care of others; she would even groom us! She always had a cheerful spirit and enjoyed being petted while eating cheerios. She will be remembered for her loving and sweet personality and she is deeply missed.

Garden Spider

Argiope aurantia
I was walking through some tall vegetation in a mitigation wetland near Evansville, IN, when a large shape crawled down over the brim of my hat towards my face. After quickly removing my hat, I got a better look at a big garden spider.

Giant Cicada Killer

These big wasps were all over a mitigation wetland near Washington, IN.

Cardinal Flower

Lobelia cardinalis

Blue Mistflower

The new name for Eupatorium coelestinum is Conoclinium coelestinum. Still, it is just as pretty.

Rex Stout

Joy and I listened to two Nero Wolfe mysteries on the way back from Canada. I love Archie and Nero, and the humor with which the stories are written.

Jump Off Rock

On Horn Lake, there is a place called Jump Off Rock. It is a rocky cliff, about 20 feet high, that drops off into very deep water below. Ben, Andrew, and Rich hiked to this spot from the cabin. Both Ben and Andrew jumped off, but could not get Rich to take the leap (despite all their teasing). Later in the week, Ben, Andrew and I kayaked across the lake to the rock and I jumped off it twice! Ben and Andrew kept teasing Rich all night long.

Andrew climbing up the rope to get to the jump off rock.

Andrew jumping off the rock.

Rich thinking about jumping.

Kayaking on Lake Horn

Birch Crest Resort on Horn Lake is only 3 miles from the Wathens' cabin, so we spent a lot of time swimming and kayaking there.

The guys - Andrew, Rich, and Ben

Right to Left: Ben, Rich, and Andrew

and Joy

Sunset of Horn Lake

Wednesday night we went down to the lake after supper to swim and kayak, watch the sunset, and then check out the stars and shooting stars. All three were great. We saw several nice shooting stars, but even more impressive was just the milky way shining in clear, moonless night.

Playful Bears

These two spent a while wrestling. It was a treat to watch.

Black-and-white Warbler

Arrowhead Provincial Park

View of the Big East River from an overlook at Arrowhead Provincial Park, Ontario.

Magnolia Warbler

Orange Hawkweed

Hieracium aurantiacum

White Water-lily

Nymphaea odorata

Spreading Dogbane

Apocynum androsaemifolium

Pickerelweed

Pontederia cordata

Hemlock Grove

A peaceful Hemlock grove along Bat Lake Trail in Algonquin Provincial Park, Ontario.

Ruffed Grouse

The Wathen's Cabin

Paper Birches

Rich, Andrew, and I found a nice grove while taking a hike in the backyard.

Black Bear

Nice pose.

My Dad's 70th Birthday Party

Saturday, we celebrated my dad's 70th birthday. We had a large party at a Chinese restaurant and then had a second party at my parents' house for family only. Over 90 people showed up at the restaurant to celebrate with my dad. It was great to see old friends and spend time with family.

My dad and the cake

See the small fire on the cake? That is what 70 candles look like!

Ben and I

My dad has 7 siblings, but only 4 live in the states: Tita Tessie, Tito Nel, Tito Boy, Dad, and Tita Bing

My family

All the men and boys in my immediate family wore formal filipino barongs.

The grandkids: James, Bella, Judah, and Bina.