Thunderclouds in the distance

The last weekend in June brought dramatic skies and sunsets to our little piece of heaven.

Tall thunderclouds could be seen in the distance above the treeline.  Most of the storms passed around us, and those that rumbled through were short lived.  The colors of the sunset changed by the minute, and every time I thought I had taken just the perfect photo, a new view presented itself as if to say, "I'm not done yet!"

An early summer walk

Such a rainy spring and early summer!     

It is good to take advantage of the breaks in the sprinkles 

to take a refreshing walk along the road.  

The irises are showing off the dewdrops as we pass by the woodland gardens.  

Among the wildflowers, we find Dames Rocket peeking at us through the split rail fence.  

It looks very much like Phlox, but blooms much earlier.

Around the corner there is a lovely glade filled with ferns.  

Most look like delicate Bracken and Ostrich Ferns,

but there is a stretch of Rattlesnake Ferns which have a much wider leaf.

Such a threatening name for a lovely plant!

 Delicate pink Wild Geraniums peek out from the ferns to say "Hello."

"Nature gives to every time and season some beauties of its own;"

Dickens

Flag Day 2014

The long summer days give us the rare opportunity

to arrive at Smith Lake on Friday nights just in time for sunset.

Clouds were rolling in, but parted briefly to reveal a lovely soft peach and blue-grey sunset. 

Overnight and morning rains left the first 1/2 inch of weekend rain in the rain gauge.  Finally, the sun broke through on Saturday afternoon and the flag could go out to celebrate Flag Day.

Just after dinner we had to pull the flag in again as a thunderstorm rolled in.  The dishes were all done and we played a couple rounds of cards while the storm lashed at the windows and docks.  A full inch of rain fell over the next hour or two.  

Then the storm tumbled and rumbled it's way eastward and, through the last lingering raindrops, this magnificent sunset closed our day at Smith Lake.

No sunscreen necessary

It was surely a wet weekend at Smith Lake!

Columbine

It began to rain late Friday, and by Sunday morning the rain gauge measured 3 inches.  The ground had been quite dry because most of the early rain soaked right in, and the areas that are usually soggy after a rain of that magnitude were still relatively firm.

The woodlands are ponding the rain and had lots of standing water, which nature will filter before it makes it's way into the already swollen lakes.  Unfortunately, the vernal ponds make perfect breeding grounds for the mosquitos, and they are out in force.

The surprise on Sunday was the arrival of glorious sunshine around 4pm.  Naturally, just the time most weekend visitors are heading home.  Never fails to happen.  The winds came along and blew the mosquitoes back into the woods, which was a great relief.

Wild orchids: Yellow Lady's-slipper

The wildflowers that can be seen in our Smith Lake gardens this weekend are Columbine and Yellow Lady's-slipper.  This lovely yellow orchid is protected by a bit of chicken wire in the garden so it isn't inadvertently disturbed during the year when we are pulling weeds or raking leaves.  Here is some more information about the Yellow Lady's-slipper.





One more lovely flower in bloom that is a transplant from the Twin Cities is Bleeding Heart.  It's a favorite of mine from childhood, and fits beautifully in the woodland gardens at the Lake.

Bleeding Hearts and ferns

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