We are in the midst of a long string of cloudy days.
Yesterday was predicted to be partly sunny and 72 degrees, but the sun didn't get the memo, and forgot to show.
Grey skies and cooler temperatures didn't discourage us from seizing the day and setting out on a bicycle adventure. We are very lucky to live in an area of quiet, off-the-beaten-path types of roads.
We can ride for miles and miles and feel completely safe. However, without my electric-assist bike, I would never be able to ride as many miles as we do... for the entire area is nothing but hills!
We rode through farms, fields, forests. and fungi!!
Mushrooms catch my eye wherever I go... yes, I am obsessed with them - they are nothing short of fascinating. (And to answer a question posed yesterday - the horses do not eat the mushrooms in the front pasture. It seems that animals have an instinctive sense not to eat that which might sicken them... or worse.)
Yesterday these Jack-o-lantern mushrooms caught my eye... they are highly poisonous, but lovely.
Many of Summer's wildflowers have vanished, leaving behind the last of the goldenrod, a few varieties of asters, some chicory, and lots of toadflax. The toadflax, originally native to Europe and Asia, looks a lot like a miniature variety of snapdragon, and is also poisonous if consumed.
Poisonous or not, I just love the name... toadflax!
Even on a grey day, the vistas we encounter, as we ride through the countryside, are beautiful.
We stop to say hello to all of the critters we see along the way. A field of sheep who bleat their replies to Hubbs who cannot resist uttering a few "Maaaaaaa"s.
Cattle are always curious about bicycles.
And this herd of horses is new to the farm on which they were grazing. This used to be a large dairy farm, but over the past couple of years we have witnessed their herd shrinking severely. Now their grazing land is full of horses.
Comments
Well, I love them each day …
Liked the thought of you having the bicycle electric assist
to be used in some of the high hills. Reaching the top
and looking out at the vistas, (no matter where)
is such a wonderful feeling of renewal.
If I was wearing a fly mask I would be hoping for less heat
humidity to arrive pronto as well.
Great that you can provide the protection.
I am so ready for cooler temps.
The fungi are having a happy season for sure . . .
Adorable “three littles” . . . wonderful pictures!
And the photo of the old house with the Virginia Creeper - love it!
I always knew toadflax as butter 'n eggs but came across toadflax in English story books such as the Brambly Hedge stories by Jill Barklem. I think you and the littles would like them. Beautifully illustrated.
Mary
You definitely have to have some "horse sense" when it comes to fungi!
Those "littles" are so cute.
I wonder if the dairy farm turned horse ranch may have acquired a bunch of our beautiful Wild Mustangs ... one can only hope!
Sometimes I wish I had a fly mask.
Ready for summers' return??
EDGAR C. BEARD