Vermont Creemee (coffee-maple twist!)

 

Ripe Cherries on the dwarf Juliet Cherry Tree

                  

Yellow Rose with Green Bee

 

Astilbe by the Porch

Shiloh is mentioned in the Acknowledgements

 

Shiloh's photos, and those of three of his counterparts, are being exhibited on Cape Cod at the Osterville Public Library, June 1st through August 29th.  Wil and listener are going to the reception being held Wednesday evening, July 8th.

Grace Rose

 

Peace Roses

                

Blue Butterfly Delphinium

 

May we reclaim these truths...

When in the Course of human events, it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another, and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature's God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation.

We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.--That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, --That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness. Prudence, indeed, will dictate that Governments long established should not be changed for light and transient causes; and accordingly all experience hath shewn, that mankind are more disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable, than to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed. But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same Object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute Despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such Government, and to provide new Guards for their future security.--Such has been the patient sufferance of these Colonies; and such is now the necessity which constrains them to alter their former Systems of Government. ...

In Congress, July 4th, 1776...

In my little town, today, we read aloud the Declaration of Independence,
each person choosing what part they wanted to read.
These will be spliced together for CCTV.  
I read part of the list of harmful deeds being done by a tyrannical king
to the people and their legislative governments.

  It sounded alarmingly familiar.

 

 

Soccer Player Meets Fan

Just love this photo so much!!

Professional soccer player Carson Pickett, who was born without a left forearm, shared a heartwarming moment with 2-year-old fan Joseph Tidd, who was also born without his left arm. 

The two gently bumped arms, creating an inspiring symbol of connection and resilience.

Carson Pickett (born September 15, 1993) is an American soccer player who plays as a left back for the Orlando Pride in the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL). 

Beyond the pitch, she actively advocates for limb difference awareness, using her platform to inspire others by embracing her own story.

Welcome July!

 

The End of June

 

Catmint

 

Wil & listener have been married 52 years today! 🤍🤍

 

Look who fledged on Wednesday! 🪺

 

Two Jacks-in-the-Pulpit

House Sparrow Feeding Chick

Reminder

Mama Wren has been very busy lately

 

Bluejay

 

Father's Day

It's pretty cool that both American Robin bird parents feed their chicks.

 

Just Sayin'

 

Sweet Wiliam

 

The View from the Boat

 

On the Front Porch

 

Waiting for the last Robin Chick to Hatch

The Garden is Coming Along

 

NO KINGS DAY!

NO KINGS DAY!
^ click to see what's taking place 

Bearded Iris

 

Blue Iris

 

The Lilacs Were Amazing This Year!

First Bonfire of the Year

 

Bumble Bee on Meadow Sage

 
Wil noted a Bumble Bee crawling in the driveway gravel and completely covered in stone dust. It looked so miserable. So we moved it to the first of the Meadow Sage to open...the Blue Hill Meadow Sage plant that had just been watered. The Bee was absolutely delighted! It ran all over the flowers and leaves, cleaning itself off, and probably getting a drink and a sip of nectar. We were so glad to help out this little pollinator!

Yellow Irises

Jack-in-the-Pulpit

 

Male Northern Cardinal

 

American Oystercatcher

My sister-in-law took this photo on Cape Cod this past week. 

In all her years on the Cape she had never seen an American Oystercatcher...
the bird that Shiloh's leadership brought an increase of 45%. 
She was, at the time, telling a friend about Shiloh, so was stunned to see it. 
Since then, she has learned that Shiloh taggedsome American Oystercatchers before on that very beach.  It was a good moment.

June 4th

Eldest (at left), and today is his 51st Birthday.

Shiloh (at right), and today is the one year Anniversary of his death.

 

Four Blue Eggs in the Robin's Nest 🪺

 

Eastern Black Swallowtail Butterfly

 
                            It's a male, so we named him Shiloh.

Robin's Nest in the Wreath!

We'll Miss You, May!