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Sachem Skipper butterfly © Diane B. Reed |
Well, it was a busy summer for me, one that kept me too busy to keep up with my blog. I've been writing a book about Walla Walla, now safely delivered to my publisher (more on that in subsequent blogs), and took time out in July for a road trip to Southern California to celebrate our niece's wedding and meet up with the family. Along the way down and back there were sidetrips to Lake Tahoe, Big Sur, Yosemite and Lassen Volcanic Monument. So apologies for my absence, and I hope to make up for it in the coming months. After all, there's always a lot to tell about in the Walla Walla Valley.
Fall is in full swing here, the colors are peaking and there's frost most mornings. Our favorite tree, the sourwood is almost at its fiery best. One of our lavenders is still blooming, and is full of flitting Sachem Skipper butterflies. The feeders are full of goldfinches, house finches and chickadees, and the Oregon juncoes have made their way down from the mountains. This week, Blue Mountain Audubon hosted artist
Tod Telander who paints birds, landscapes and much more. He's also illustrated a number of Falcon wildlife guides, including
Birds of the Pacific Northwest. His web site is worth a visit.
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Sourwood tree fall foliage © Diane B. Reed |