For a smile as wide as a country sunrise
Hello everyone! Well, August is off to a surprising start this year. But, right now the sky is blue, mostly, hard to tell if that is a light layer of cloud or smoke. I will say smoke, though I cannot really smell it right now. It is a warm day, but not overly hot, but the humidity is high which makes it feel a bit warmer. For me, this is nice weather, though most people here consider this too hot.
I am still finding some strange insects out there, got a pic of a really cool one yesterday. I think it is a species of ichneumon wasp, but I have yet to identify it definitely. Yesterday I found out that I would be moving again the end of this month, or Sept. 1 to be exact.

A Common Eastern Bumble Bee, covered with pollen, flying toward a delphinium flower.
Not much time to pack really, considering all the stuff I have in my various collections. It will also end my bird feeding and other critter feeding since I will be living in an apartment building this time, and on the 6th floor, which is the top floor. Somehow I doubt that I will be spending much time on that balcony. Heights and I do not really get along too well anymore. Minor detail.
I will definitely try to get down to the river before I move though, since I will be much too far away to try it after I move. Things will be much different than they are now, that is for sure. But, it is for the best. The chipmunks have sure been busy today. I have been feeding them more peanuts than usual. Have to get rid of them all this month.

One of those huge Northern Paper Wasps flying away from the flowers. I had one bump into me today.
I had stocked up to last until the end of Sept, so now they get two months in one! Funny to watch them, sometimes 5 at a time show up and they all have to wait their turn, although Coffee still tries to fight it out with Pocket, but Pocket still wins.
He is number one around here and Coffee is in second place, GPS is third, Scooter is 4th, then it is the 3 babies. I named one of them Stubby since he has now lost half of his tail. Hard to tell the other two apart, so I have not named them yet. And those little ones just do not like to sit still long enough to get a picture of them.

Another one of those Orange-belted Bumble Bees.
Basically they look like the adults anyway, just smaller, which would be hard to tell in a photo. But I still want a picture of them anyway. Wow, it is late today, time to get out for more pics while the sun shines. Sorry for all the insect pics, it is their time. Have a great day everyone and God bless!
Steve and Muffin.
Β©2023 Steve McLeod.
Your photos are great, especially with the flowers! Sorry you have to move and leave all your friends. Sounds like you will be in a more urban location. Hope you have some help in packing all of your belongings. The end of an era and into new beginnings. Hope you get in your river walk soon. God’s blessings as you pack, say goodbye, and get ready for the new.
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Thank you so much! Yes, I will miss this place, it is perfect in so many ways. But my landlord wants to renovate this apartment, then he can charge higher rent, so he was happy I could find a place so quickly. Yes, end of an era is right, it will be hard to adjust. The building is in the center of town, close to the downtown shopping district, but in a residential neighborhood. I will have help with moving, not with packing though, so I will be busy this month.π²ππ
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God bless you on getting everything packed quickly and with some unexpected packing help. It sounds like an urban setting where the bears will not be at your door, no deer, or other critters. Hopefully, you will have some perks that make up for what you are losing. Maybe there is a park nearby with birds, squirrels, chipmunks and other living things. You are welcome!
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Well, no park nearby, but there is a nice area out behind the building with trees and benches. It is very close to our downtown section, but still in a residential area. And there are deer around, they are everywhere in this town, including walking right down the sidewalks of main street past all the stores and shoppers. They have learned to stay on the sidewalks and cross at the lights, even standing with people at times waiting to cross.
But there is a nice place to sit anyway. There will not be much opportunity for photos though.
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Well I trust you will be able to get some photos, even if it is deer waiting to cross the street with people!
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I have seen it at least 3 times, just need to have my camera ready when I see it next time.ππ·
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I’m so sorry to hear you have to move! π
Muffin?
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Yes, it is going to be a major change and no more critters around to feed and enjoy. It will also mean less photography opportunities unless I can figure something out for that. Yes, Muffin can come with me, thankfully!ππ» It would be very hard to part with her.ππ
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I’m so sad for this change, but at least Muffin is with you.β€οΈ
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Thank you Rossana! Yes, I am glad Muffin can come along, that was confirmed today by the woman in charge. I’m not yet sure how this will affect my blog.π€ππ»
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Lovely pics Steve ! π· …ππ» sleep if you can π΄βοΈ
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Thanks so much Sharon! I would like to, that’s for sure.ππ»ππ€π€
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