Ten Degrees Above Average

This June has been incredibly hot and humid.  By 10am every day the head index has already climbed into the high 90s.  And with our very loud and robust cicada population the feeling of humidity is enhanced by the jungle-like sounds.

Today we are having normal temperatures for the first-time this month; mid-80s, about 40% humidity.  It is a lovely day.  I was able to accomplish so much today without the excessive heat tiring me out by noon.  I went to lunch with my husband, went to two coffee houses to see local art shows, explored some new shops and discovered a new gallery which I plan to visit on Friday (when open).  And now, usually the hottest time of day, I am able to sit outside with my dog in the shade with a cool breeze and a cold drink.  Today has been delightful. 

Tomorrow I am going to explore a nearby park that looks magical from the road; big trees and a winding creek.  The weather should be just as beautiful tomorrow as it is today, which makes it the ideal time for city park exploration.  Louisville has 18 Olmsted Parks, the same architect who designed New York's Central Park.  I am excited for the new exploration and will give a vivid description of the adventure.

Lights in the Trees

There are so many fireflies tonight lighting up the grass to the tops of trees that it looked like Christmas in June with birds and ACs providing the carols.

The Sad Life of a Bird

Everyday I see at least one bunny and one cardinal.  And every day it is amazing.  With all the open space I have seen birds (that I can't identify), squirrels, bunnies, chipmunks, hedgehogs, deer, geese, butterflies, dragonflies and big hairy bees.  For me it is very serene not to be surrounded by concrete.  But being close to nature reminds me of animal hardships.

In early Spring a song bird made a nest in my neighbors flower box.  She sat on her eggs diligently through huge thunderstorms and winds.  A couple days before the eggs were ready to hatch, a crow flew in and ate them.  The song bird was so sad and searched every where for her babies but she could not find them.  Eventually she had to give up and flew away alone.

Today I saw a beautifully constructed nest on the ground under a big tree.  There were three small bright blue eggs lying next to the nest, two of which were cracked with insects crawling inside.  It must have fallen during a strong wind that have been common lately.  I felt so sorry for the mama bird that had to fly away without her babies.  It is a hard life to be a mama bird.

Update:  Yesterday I saw a nest with four hungry baby birds chirping loudly for food that two adult birds collected nearby.