You don't have to go too far..........








The buttonbush, see first picture, that grows along the swampy area below the hill seems to attract many kinds of insects as well as birds and mammals who feast on some parts of the plant. There are some colorful flowering plants next to the swamp which is now a dry swamp waiting for more rain. Parts of this wetland which extends behind neighboring properties also are still filled with water but the shallow area behind our home is dry. Many plants and shrubs have taken advantage of the fertile area to take root and they have filled in the void. 

 Iron weed, purple flowers in third picture,  seems to be the plant that is growing tall this year. Our decorative grasses are about 2 feet shorter than usual. 

 The large mushrooms that grow under the pine trees are gnarled and odd looking. The drought has affect many things in different ways. 

 Variety in nature keeps life interesting. There are interesting discoveries to be found right here in my own back yard. Guess I won't have to travel to the planets. 



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