And This was Happening

while at one end of the property people were hooting, cheering, laughing, jumping off the water
trampoline, over by the Pond, this was happening...

Mom brought her fawn out to nibble grass along the pond edge. It was quiet there.

The fawn was interested in the camera, but more interested in staying close to Mom.

By the creek, grass is growing green and lush.

And just around the corner, on the 'world's largest thistle' (that thing is about 8' high!) there
was a Monarch, sipping nectar.

We've seen more monarchs this summer than last, but the numbers are still
so low that it is an OCCASION to be celebrated when we spot one.

Thistledown. Really, that's what it's called.

Monarch wasn't the only one interested in the sweetness in the thistle. The bumblebee
was hard at work harvesting pollen.

you can see the enormous sacs of pollen on the hind legs.

Walking back, we got one more look at Mom, hiding in the woods.