Welcome to this week’s edition of Nature Friday. Today is Juneteenth, a federal holiday. It was 160 years ago that enslaved people in Galveston, Texas, learned they had been freed — after the Civil War’s end and two years after President Abraham Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation. Happy Juneteenth. Because it’s a federal holiday, no mail will be delivered, the stock market is closed as well as some some businesses. Parades and other celebrations will mark the day along with public service. The City of Milwaukee is the oldest known and longest-running annual Juneteenth celebration in the United States. What started as a small gathering of vendors, now spans over several blocks of fun with over 170,000 participants. Denver will once again have a music festival beginning today and running through the weekend in the Five Points neighborhood.
Wilson here and as we always do, we’re joining our friends at The Adventures of the LLB Gang. Clicking on the link will take you to see what others shared this week. Even though summer is scheduled to arrive this Sunday, I think it jumped the gun. I don’t know about how the weather is on your end, but it’s been very hot here. As in 15+ degrees hotter than normal. Wednesday felt like we were walking into a pizza oven. Mum got up even earlier than usual so we could enjoy a morning walk in somewhat cool temperatures, but it was already 72F (22.2C) before 5 AM. Usually at that time, the temps are in the low-to-mid 50’s. By the time we finished our three-mile walk, I was panting heavily and not walk walking my usual speed and Mum was dripping in sweat. Neither of us enjoyed the walk much. The only thing that kept the walk from being a total bust was when we came across a coyote pup on our walk in the wildlife habitat we cross every day. He’s kinda hard to spot in the tall, dry grass but isn’t he kind of adorable? Look at those pointy ears! He almost resembles a German Shepherd puppy, doesn’t he? He curiously watched us walk through but made no attempt to follow us, thank goodness. I can’t help but wonder if his mama knew he was away from the den. If she’s anything like my mine, that little guy is probably in big time trouble.
The Mum: He seems larger than I thought he would be, which leads me to believe he’s older than I originally thought the pups might be. From what I learned when I looked up info about coyotes, they are usually born in spring and may have between four to seven pups in a litter. We didn’t encounter any siblings who were probably back in the thick brush behind this little guy. Anyway, I thought he was pretty cute and right in the area where that mama coyote bum rushed those little dogs recently.
Wilson: This guy kind of acted like he wanted to play with me, Mum. But I know you didn’t want to encourage him. Besides his mama was likely close by and no point poking the ‘bear,’ right?
The Mum: Absolutely! Trust me when I say, you will never be allowed…let me repeat that just in case there’s any question…you will never be allowed to play or interact with any coyotes. Period.
Wilson: Um sheesh Mum…don’t get so worked up. I’m not going off to play with some coyote pup, okay? Besides I’d never leave you on the trail by yourself…well at least not for a coyote. A squirrel, maybe but never a coyote.
The Mum: You bet your sweet bippy, you won’t! Now that we have that clear, what other slices of nature do you have to share?
Wilson: Well, there are a lot of heat loving plants out there that are pretty. Check out this lavender that was enticing pollinators early yesterday morning from a house down the street from ours. I love brushing against that border. Those plants fill the air with their scent.
The Mum: I absolutely love lavender…and so do the neighborhood bees.
Wilson: We found another beautiful clematis that the bees like too. Look how pretty this one is and how well it showcases that garden statuary.
The Mum: This is one of my favorite gardens we walk past. Everything always look so pretty.
Wilson: My favorite place is the meadowy area near the canal overflow. There are loads of blanket flowers (Gaillardia) blooming now but yesterday, Mum saw a few prairie coneflowers mixed in with some of them along the trail. Such pretty wildflowers.
The Mum: The blanket flowers are really popping up along that stretch of the Ralston Creek Trail. I get practically giddy seeing them randomly showing up here and there.
Wilson: It’s always interesting to walk along that area. You just never know what you’ll see. It’s very close to where we spotted the coyote. That area is becoming a real treasure trove of cool slices of nature. And lastly we have an update on Figaro. He’s finally beginning to set fruit after getting very bushy. Look at this little baby fig. Can’t wait till it ripens. I hope more will set because, no offense…I’d prefer not to share.
The Mum: No offense taken. I thought the same thing! Well that does it for us. Got any special plans to welcome summer?
Wilson: I plan to stay home zonked out on the sofa for a couple of hours while you’re hobnobbing for the rescue at the Denver Dog Fair.
The Mum: Yes, you can hang out at home. But please remember the rule about no dogs on the furniture.
Wilson: {snickering} Oh yeah, right. {wink, wink} Got it Mum. We both hope you have a wonderful weekend. Enjoy getting out in nature but try to stay cool and hydrated.
Live, love, bark! 🐾
That coyote pup IS adorable! But yes, best not encourage it to go out further than it already has…
I LOVE that clematis with the statue. My kind of garden.
I, too, love lavendar. Mine hasn’t flowered yet and with this unending rain – for the next SEVEN DAYS! I know you wish I could share. So do I. So far, June is behaving the way it has for the past few years. One week of yay! it’s summer and the rest is AW-FUL!
Gaillardia sure is flashy – so pretty.
Oooohhhhh… I am seriously jealous. Figaro indeed.
Have a fantabulous weekend!
Wilson says mom is not fun at all. That little coyote would have been lots of fun to play with!
I hope the little coyot wasn’t abandoned. He looked healthy, just curious. It’s funny we were able to domesticate/tame wolves, but not coyots.
Loved the giddy goose….and that heron against the clematis….
Now contemplating Wilson wondering what exactly constitutes furniture……sofas not included, I would bet.
Thanks, Helen. I love seeing those geese statuaries. I found out there are tons of outfits you can buy! {head shaking} The ‘clematis house’ has a pair of those herons in their front garden. The other one is beautifully flanked near a spectacular huge clump of white lilies. It’s really close to the front door and I’m a bit reluctant to barge up there for a photo. Maybe the next time I see the owners, I’ll ask. They’re super friendly and gracious.
Wilson wouldn’t fit on any of the chairs so the sofa is his preferred place of respite. He sprawls out like a boss and tends to ignore calls to ‘get down.’ Funny how he seems to have lost his hearing at those moments. Talk about selective hearing!
Have a lovely weekend.