Steve`s Country
For a smile as wide as a country sunrise
Little Things #3.
Hello everyone and here we are once again with another look at some little things. There is so much beauty around us, but some of it can be very small and inconspicuous, so we often miss these things even when we are out for a walk in nature. Even the little hummingbird in the featured image above can be easily overlooked if you don’t have a feeder around to attract them. Or even in our own flower garden there are some remarkable little things around that we just overlook or just think that these things are all the same and just dismiss them as nothing interesting. Or sometimes we might consider them a pest, but yet they are very beneficial in our gardens to keep true pests away. But before you read any further, a word of warning. INSECTS AHEAD! So if you are terrified of such, you might not want to look at the pics.
However, not all pics show insects, like the one above. These are called ‘long-leaved bluets’ and are a very tiny wildflower that are very easy to overlook when out for a walk. They can be white or pale lavender like these. They are tiny flowers, the flower stalks can be from 2 to 8 inches (5 to 20cm) tall and they like very dry soil. Around here they are normally 2 to 3 inches (5 to 7.5cm) tall. So I usually lie down on my stomach to get pics of them. The flowers are less than a quarter of an inch (about 5mm) across. Sometimes they will make their way onto lawns, especially if the lawns are not watered often.
Then we have some potentilla flowers with some insects on them. I think they are both some kind of bee. I need to get a bee identification guide, if there is such a thing. Both of these little creatures are small, both of the flowers are about an inch (2.5cm) across, so that gives an idea of the size of these insects. The one above with the orange and black body is very small but a cool little insect and amazingly fast. It also likes to hover a lot, like it is searching the flower for enemies before landing.
The one above looks like a fly of some kind, but acts and flies more like a bee. I like the two-toned wings, part so clear it’s easy to see right through it, then darker towards the body. They are larger than the previous one, but still small. Well, that’s it for today, I hope you enjoyed our look at some “little things”. Have a wonderful day and God bless!
Steve and Muffin.
©2021 Steve McLeod.
Coffee At Steve’s Country #19.
Good morning everyone! There’s nice hot coffee, tea and hot chocolate ready for you this morning, please grab a cup, sit back and relax for a few minutes with us today. Muffin is already relaxing, that is, sleeping on the reading bench again. She thinks I’m too slow getting the coffee post out in the morning. She’s probably right about that. It’s a bit cool this morning, with a temp of -4F (-20C), but it’s warming up to 0F (-18C) by this afternoon. However it will feel colder with the wind that is moving in later. Tomorrow it should be considerably warmer as some snow moves in, then back to cold again. Theodore was first here again this morning. After he left I put more sunflower seeds out and now the evening grosbeaks are enjoying their breakfast. It works out very well for the birds coming at different times like that.
The blue jays are late this morning which is rather odd. I mentioned Jasper had been chased by one of those mean ravens, but he’s okay. Jasper was back yesterday afternoon, looking nice and healthy. “How’s things going Jasper?” Chip. “Yes, I noticed that other squirrel keeps coming back.” Chip. “Oh, his name is Chase, that makes sense, he does like to chase.” Loud Chip. “Oh, you don’t like to chase. Well, it is good exercise, you need to keep in shape for when the chipmunks come back.” Chip? “They won’t be back for another 3 months.” Chip? “Yes, winter will be here that long.” Loud Chip. “No, you won’t die. You’re sounding like Theodore. But you have that nice thick fur and bushy tail to keep you warm.” Chip! “Oh, you’re still cold? Your house is cold too? You must have picked a bad place to live.” Chip. “It was the only one left? And it’s drafty? Hmm, doesn’t sound good, make sure you find a better place in the summer. I have to go back inside, it’s cold out here.” Chip? “I don’t think that would work, remember I have a cat.” Chip. “You forgot? Easy to forget, bye for now.” Chip.
I’m thinking of making a few changes to my morning coffee posts, some days will be the same as now, others we would take a closer look at some of the animal life in our area, and perhaps we can also take a look at some of the natural foods that are actually good and nutritious for us. Plus perhaps taking a tour of the area as well. The morning post won’t get any longer than it is however, I like to keep it under 500 words so it doesn’t take long to read. Please let me know what you think. Have a wonderful day and God bless!
Steve and Muffin.
©2021 Steve McLeod.
Steve`s Country 