July brings summer weather!

We finally broke out of spring weather when July came around.  Hot and humid weather made the A/C come on!  Our electric bill for June was the lowest we ever had, no A/C and no Furnace makes for a small bill.

bear came by for a brief visit

We did get out on the lake, for the 3rd time this year on the 2nd of July.  We have been doing way too much work and not enough playing.. but now that summer has arrived hopefully more time on the water is in the forecast.

we were able to get out on the 3rd too!  two beautiful days in a row.  We cruised the whole of Long Lake including passing by Larry the Cable Guy's home.  He has fireworks on the 3rd.  Here the crew is busy getting the fireworks ready.

We had our 6th annual July 4th Mud Lake Parade on Tuesday.  We only had 5 boats (one other did not start) then our gathering at Steve and Janelle Cain's home.  I am getting worse about taking pictures.  I brought the camera and it sat the entire day on the golf cart!  I totally forgot to bring it into the house to get pictures of our gathering.  We had a very nice crowd, as some people don't get in the parade but will come to the gathering.  Even some new people that has never shown up before.  Maybe by the 10th annual we will get all 20 homes to attends..

Wild flowers and a Beautiful Cedar Wax Wing...

Eric and Steve Goodwin went on a kayaking/camping trip on July 7-9.  Except for some heavy rain on the 7th the weather was perfect for their outing.

We have a baby Broad Wing Hawk.  We have been watching the nest since the end of May, we only see one chick.

the rose garden is looking very good...

The bird bath got a good workout.  First the female Baltimore Oriole took a bath

the male came in for a bath too, she is sitting under the bath watching him dunk his head

he needs to dry off a bit

The Gustafson's came up the weekend of July 14-16.  Weather was hot and humid which is perfect for water activities.

Ellen got right up on the ski's.

it was so hot even Jenny got into the water

yard visitors  female deer

Ellen was in charge of the meat.

Hanna was in charge of resting

2 bucks came by for a visit too

female Rose Breasted Grosbeak

American Goldfinch and Purple Finch enjoying dinner

I went to Lexington SC for my annual High School friends gathering.

The weather was hot and humid, we spent most of our time in the pool!

finally summer arrived, hopefully August will continue with the hot weather!

July bird count was slightly elevated as I went to South Carolina so was able to add a few extra month birds.  Life up 1 to 573, year up 3 to 289 and the month at 104.