Crow

 They are native to Iowa. He seemed to be so big because we are use to seeing grackles and blackbirds. The blue shine is striking and moves around as the sun reflects off of him.

Grape Hyacinyhs

 The color is so great. I have found an article on the net that it is an invasive plant in certain regions. It certainly is invasive in my yard as I have it spread all over the front yard. It gets mowed over in the spring and it doesn't kill it as it comes back the next spring.

Thunderclouds

 The rains came again yesterday after we were told there would not be more rain.  I found almost and inch of rain in the gauge this morning. Some parts near us had so much hail that there yards were white like it had snowed. We had also the rain and hail. The hail took off a large part of my red bud tree flowers and also a few tulips. The hail was the size of gum balls  The thudercloud was what had been over us as it moved east. 

Evening Sky

 As the sun was setting in the west, the view to the east was amazing. I could see the glow of pink on the clouds of a future rainstorm. The colors ar so amazing in this  photo with the sky blue being great.

Hot and Humid Day

 It is the start of the day and sun is behind the clouds. The  texture probably has a name but I am not in the field to know it. Our high for the day will be 83 degrees F. 

Monday Morn

 

American's Version

 We call it a robin even though it is from the thrush family. It is good looking but doesn't look like the cute European Robin. It is at the feeder catching some loose seeds. The bugs and worms aren't out so much so it has to go for the dry stuff.