Moss Rose....

I have moss rose growing in my blue granite pan again this year.  The variety I bought seems to be very well color schemed.  Every flower is in the light and dark pink color family. With the temperatures being so warm I really have to monitor them every day for adequate water. When the plant gets too dried out it takes it a long time to bounce back.

Found: One White Clematis.......

I knew there was a vine growing up from the base of the fence.  I didn't really look at the top of the vine as the bushes on both sides had filled in the area. I started mowing along there and saw one white flower.  After mowing I trimmed back the branches to reveal a mature clematis vine putting out great blooms.  I think the neighbors get to enjoy this one as it does hand down on the other side.  It was a very pleasant surprise to see it doing so well out there in the hot sun.  It got to be watered last evening since it now is totally exposed to the sun and not shaded by branches.

Shadows......

The monarda, bee balm, is blooming at the end of the house.  I also have a honeysuckle vine next to  it and it is blooming a second time.  I didn't notice until I posted the picture that there a speck of orange color from that viner hanging in the corner.

Brilliant Color.....

The goldfinch is the Iowa State Bird.  The male feathers turn an intense yellow the further into the the summer season. My memories of them as a kid was when they fed off of the thistles on our farm. They didn't hang around the house so we had to be back in the timber and prairie area of the farm to see them feeding.

Party Boats......

I cross a dammed up area that has a road built over it, when I travel to the old house.  The secondary dam keeps the Lake Saylorville from interfering with the water level of a smaller lake north of it, Big Creek.  That main dam holds back water when the Des Moines River overfills the big lake and the water can raise ten feet or more. The main dam to the left of the photo, has the spillway which sometimes can't dump it fast enough. This artificial lake created a cove like this which became a place for boats to dock or be anchored out in the water. There are some nice sailboats at the docks in the background but these boats really are mostly pontoons, used as party boats. When I cross in early morning the sun is reflecting off of the boats making it look more impressive than it probably really is. As I drive on from here, pass this area, I will end up driving over a mile long bridge connecting two sides of the lake. The whole area originally was built around the Des Moine River and now the enlarged river turned lake controls and limits traffic all over the area. There is no straight route for me to travel to get to the old house.

Splash of Color......

Sunshine Glare.......

The sun is bright coming in the southeastern window.  It makes Barney squint the one eye in the glare. He soon got up and went over to the air conditioner vent. He likes to lie down on it so he can cool off. Being a dog, he thinks that cool air is always blowing out of the vent. On hot days the air is always on but at night he will lay by it anyway.