Beauty and the Beast

~Nothing men do surprises me. Some of

'em'are a little rough around the edges.~

~Patricia Calm 1900~

Ah, yes...beauty.

This is my first Columbine bloom from the starts I got from
my sweet neighbor, Shirley. Her plants have been in
her garden for decades. They are all different brilliant colors, so I
was surprised to see this totally white one bloom out!

An then there's the beast.

Well, obviously it's not much of a beast...but snakes always startle me.

Our elm trees always loose branches when we get a good wind goin'. So, I was doin' my normal routine of picking up branches and small sticks before mowing the lawn...when I realized this one that I was walking over to pick up wasn't a stick!

"Who me?!? I'm no beast! I'm just enjoying the
cool, wet grass where the sprinkler had been.
I was findin' all sorts of snacks too!"
(I had my aperture set at 5.7 so I think that's why
his head didn't come out clear in this photo...and I was
zooming in from at least 10 feet.)

Over exposed...yes. But I still like how it
enhanced the snake's eye and nostril.

OK...so does anyone know what kind of snake this is? It was very patient as I went to the house to get the camera, because he was still there when I got back! After about 2-3 minutes he seemed to notice that I was there; threw his head up...and took off like a flash!

Update: I had a comment left on my Flickr photo from Natalie McNear

"Cool find! This is a Western Yellow-bellied Racer, Coluber constrictor mormon. These guys are harmless and feed on a wide variety of prey, from insects to rodents, so they are beneficial to have around the yard."

Thank you Natalie!

I've seen one other of these two years ago. It was on the water spigot on a hot day...when I went to grab for the handle...that gave me a start!!

Have a great week!!

Sunday Stills~Patriotism

I pledge allegiance to
the Flag of the United States of America,
and to the Republic for which it stands:
one Nation under God, indivisible,
With Liberty and Justice for all.

Patriotism is alive and well in rural America.

Enjoy more patriotic photos from other Sunday Stills participants.

Happy 4th of July to all my fellow Americans...and Happy Canada Day to my friends up north!

Before Dawn

"Up before the sunrise

it's a rocky way back home

and the dust won't be near settled

as where we just come from..."

Lyrics from Don Edwards' song Say Goodbye to Montana

That is one of my favorite songs from Don Edwards...and changing wheel lines as the sun comes up over Hat Butte always brings that song into my mind.

Participating in

SkyWatch Friday

Farm Girl Friday Blog Hop

Golden Sunrise

While I'm gettin' at least one cup of coffee in me...My Man goes out at about 4:45 to shut down the two lines we change in the mornin'.

Steppin' out into the fresh new day's air...scents of horses, cows, hay, sage brush, and the dew wake me as good as a second cup of coffee.

Walkin' out to the field I'm greeted by views of the rim rock, the valley going east with horses and cows grazing, the neighbor's pivot moving slowly across the green alfalfa...another day of livin' the dream...

Before Dawn

First cutting is done...and the temperatures are supposed to warm up in the next week...our alfalfa will be growing like crazy...you'd swear you can see it grow with the hot weather and lots of water!

I have to throw in one more photo from the Stackin' Hay day...

The RattieRanchDog Nose

If Cindy Sue could reach the floorboard, she'd like to drive semi truck!!

Hey...it's Friday...have a great holiday weekend!!