Its called Candy Corn

 

Summer is here!

 

A thankyou note from the birds

This is the sunflower the birds planted for us at the corner of the smokehouse.

Swamp-rose Mallow or Rose mallow (Hibiscus moscheutos)

These grow in profusion along Rt 7 just off I-77. They are in the ditch surrounding the Shoney's restaurant. We had breakfast there this morning, and admired them.

Mimosa

This tree is on Rt 78 between Reinersville and Olive Green. I passed it on my way back from the vet's in McConnelsville, and had to stop and go back to get this photo. What a lovely, graceful tree!

Common Teasel

A European native, teasel was used by weavers to raise the nap on woolen fabric.

Alanthus - scurge of the earth

As an invasive species, Alanthus, or "Tree of Heaven" has naturalized in this part of Ohio from imported landscape specimens. The state and federal government are spending large amounts of money in an attempt to remove it from private and public lands. I think that horse has left the barn..... It is fast growing, forming large colonies and producing lots of seeds. When cut, it sends up many suckers from the roots. Probably the smart thing to do would be to find a use for it - like maybe biomass.

Along the roadside

In the hayfield

Hard to believe that crownvetch could be so beautiful. These flowers are nearly 2 inches across. The tiny yellow flowers are Black Medic, another legume.

Catalpa Tree

There are dozens of these trees that line T Ridge on the way into Caldwell. They are just starting to bloom now. The roadway is strewn with sweet smelling blossoms.
That is Belle Valley in the distance.