
.

Our rose of Sharon bushes are doing well, but last year we’d seen a whole bank of them while out one day and they were so stunning, we made a point of going to view them again today.
.
The photographs don’t do them justice. They are beautiful and the nice thing about these bushes is that they continue to flower till the end of the season.

.

It’s been a few weeks since we drove this way and the scenery has changed.
Considerable portions of the route are obscured behind tall corn.
.
A matter of a few feet altered the image.

.

Roads are lined with wildflowers including the very pretty purple loosestrife aka lythraceae.
.
I haven’t bothered checking, but I’m sure it too is invasive!

.

While photographing that, something else caught my attention.

Great burdock.
(Asteraceae.)
.
While I was out of the car I had the chance to notice the impressive height of the corn.
Well over 6 feet in this field.

.

Willard Mountain (our ski slope!) was almost obscured by smoke and haze.
.
Most land is cultivated, but that which isn’t or which lies fallow is quite colourful.

.


A photogenic hill
.

While I captured these…

.

Grant spotted a bird

.
It was quite agreeable to having its picture taken.
We’d never seen it before, although I recognised the name when Grant looked it up:
Bobolink

.

We’re always thrilled to see a new bird.

.
New to us, that is.
This poor barn is definitely not new.
It looks less forlorn at this time of year.

.

Able only to hesitate by the pond, I got a very mediocre picture of the water lotuses.
They are on private property.
.
Further on, we were obliged to stop.

.

A house martin assembly.

.
Some held their ground as we eased slowly past.


.

And that was that.
Home just in time for cat lunches without incurring demerits.
I would have an urge to roll the hay bales down that hill! I see the house martins have not gone wireless yet!
I love those hay bales and yes, that thought crossed my mind too!
Trouble is I couldn’t run away afterwards!
Not only do I get to enjoy your comments about your travels but I learn something too — different birds and name of flowers!! It’s a win-win for me. Thanks Carolyn.
Gladys
Thanks so much for the interesting a beautiful trip today!!! Love your posts, always. ❤️
The wildflowers are beautiful (I’m sad that we’re going to miss our wildflowers on the West Coast this year). You guys are certainly not going to have a shortage of corn in the stores – or is it sold to places other than local? A bobolink – I’ve never seen one, but what a beauty. Thank you so much, I enjoyed the drive.
I had never heard of a Bobolink, and I am impressed that you know the names of so many plants and flowers, Carolyn. As for the birds in the road, I have never seen anything like that. Most birds will fly off when cars approach.
Best wishes, Pete.
Thank you, Carolyn, for your knack for finding something unusual and interesting! I love the new bird and the birds on the road are fascinating!
Joanna