A thunderstorm with heavy rain is rolling around the hill this evening. Saves me watering the plants!

The sun setting through the bathroom window.

Was trying to take a photo of the late sun coming in through the window and inadvertently took one of myself.

Saw this in Marshall. Wow, just what I always wanted!

Was rather surprised to see this at the Steam & Gas Engine Show in Berryville today. Was it really necessary at a family event as this where there isn't even alcohol served?

Friday, July 26th, 2013

At The Family Drive In Theatre in Stephen's City with Rob waiting for Wolverine to start.

It's Christmas in July at the unit next to Emblemax. They've already started decorating Christmas trees to go in malls later this year.

Rosie Lee checking out my collection of Shadow Diver stuff. The book, The Last Dive by Bernie Chowdhury, arrived today. A first edition and signed by the author, it's about the father and son team who perished while exploring the U-869. I have to admit to being obsessed by this diving discovery and am still gleaning information about it.

There are 2 photos today because I needed to show what I often see on the way home from work and then what it is when I zoom in. This bald eagle has made his home in Middleburg for a number of years and is known by all the locals. Today he was sitting on his usual perch but was being bombarded and screeched at by a mocking bird who kept fluttering around him, keeping this up for about 10 minutes until he flew off. She followed and they made a large circle before they both landed back in the tree with the eagle deciding he was just going to ignore her. I assumed he must have eaten her young. She kept up her harassment for about another 15 minutes before giving up and flying away. The eagle remained sitting there, completely unflustered.

The dawn breaking through the mist. Adam Casky from ABC 7 News showed this photo on his weather report this morning. 

Beer break for Emily and I on our paddle.

Saturday, July 20th, 2013

A pretty creek to cool off in on our hike Saturday morning.

All the 'Best in Show' winners at the Fauquier County Fair.

As I stopped to check my mail I noticed a  Red Spotted Purple butterfly feebly flapping its wings by the side of the road. There are 2 broods of these butterflies between April and October, this was likely one of the first on its last legs. I picked it up and moved it into the field away from the cars rushing by that were causing it to be blown around. 

An absolutely amazing sky above Marshall at 6:45 this morning.

Kota Kat ready and waiting to go to the doctors for his annual check up. And he gave them hell. Who'd have thunk that this sweet little boy would turn into a twisting yowling demon at the sight of a needle. Can't really blame him...

This little birds will never leave their nest.

The sunflowers are blooming at their peak at the moment in Maryland. They are stunning.

Saturday, July 13, 2013

Kayaking with a group on the Potomac in DC heading towards Roslyn. 

Boss Man got water in his watch so put it through the gas dryer at work. 380 degrees. He did it 4 times. Pretty impressed, the watch dried out and kept working.

I love sitting out on my patio in the evenings listening to the sounds of nature and watching the evening critters wake up and come to life.

Stepping back in time with a Rupert book Mum sent me which explains how he started and who drew him. Mum has always got me Rupert annuals since I was a little girl.

We have a beautiful guest hanging out with us this evening, a Giant Leopard Moth. He's actually sleeping as these are nocturnal and won't fly before dark. My first sighting of one of these, and I'm in awe.

Someone dropped a scraper in the drum of ink and no one's gonna fish it out!

What a triumphant victory for Andy Murray. Britain has been waiting to claim the Wimbledon  Champion title for 77 years. 

Saturday, July 6, 2013

The Prince William Forest Park where a group of us went for a 7.5 mile hike. A very pretty walk but it was hard work in 90 degrees heat and we didn't have many stops. We kept up a good pace throughout so I took very few photos. I'll likely go back here in the fall to get more shots.

Strings on my bow.

Whoever wrote this knows nothing about chocoakte fudge cake, it wasn't particularly great. But it did nothing to detract from a superb Independence Day spent with the Sterling crew. 

Printing shirts for the Boss Man's luau this weekend.

The silk tree is in full bloom at the moment. This is a beautiful tree all year round, smothered in pink fluffy flowers in the summer or completely bare in winter.

Margie brought me another pile of audio books and has been raving about this one in particular. Started it today and cringed at listening to some of the scuba diving accidents, I can relate a little having tried it once, but I'm already hooked on the book and looking forward to my commute tomorrow morning.