Kay continues her pursuit of pickleball and golf several times a week in addition to all the social/club activities in which she participates. On the other hand, and not to be a Debbie “downer”, I was overcome by an upper respiratory virus that continues to hang on, some several weeks later, in addition to sports injuries still ongoing,

We continue to add flowering plants to the various beds, and work sporadically to maintain the yard. Otherwise, nothing big or unusual happened this reporting period. Consequently, this blog entry will feature photographs from nine days of shooting, mostly in our backyard.

Photographs were made on May 1, 3, 4, 7, 8, 9, 11, 12, and 15. New wildflowers are blooming, and first of season butterflies and dragonflies and damselflies are being observed. One of the highlights of this period’s photography was capturing the blooming of Indian Pink, on of my favorites, on May 1. 

Another was the appearance of an Orange Bluet damselfly on May 3. This one was a “lifer”, meaning it was the first one of the species I had ever seen. 

Next among the highlights was the annual arrival of Baltimore Orioles. The few that came by stayed almost a week. The photo below was made on Thursday, May 7, 2026.

Thus far this year, more snakes than usual have appeared in the lake adjacent to the back yard. All of these are water snakes.

Several beautiful wildflower blooms were photographed, mostly at Middle Fork Barrens Natural Area on May 1.

In addition to the Baltimore Oriole and Green Heron, a male Northern Cardinal and his mate have been hanging around lately.

More and more butterflies are showing up as well, both at Middle Fork Barrens NA and our backyard.

And dragonflies and damselflies are always a welcome sight.