I know I've posted the last tiger lily to bloom more than once in years past. Here's this season's last, under a towering, aging, sunflower.
The weather has been cool here recently. For long enough now to feel like fall is actually here already.
I had a relaxing fire last night, and a good conversation with Mom. The mosquitoes were terrible so I had to spray myself head to toe with repellant, and resign myself to having to take a full shower again today to clean up before bed.
Recently I needed to upgrade my phone from a Pixel 7A to a Pixel 9A because my battery was going. Last night I found out how much better the panorama feature is on the new phone, likely AI assisted. I notice only one error stitching images together, the back steps and roofline of the house in the first picture. But if you open the pictures full size you get a lot of detail of the back yard with no real distortion.
Just got home from a nice dinner on the bank of the Yahara river. Dining, relaxing, and watching the boats go by on a beautiful Sunday evening...
Peregrine falcons are one of the most widely distributed birds in the world, but fascinating none the less. There is a livestream of a nest on the MG&E building downtown Madison, overlooking Williamson (Willy) Street and Lake Monona. (The same building with the three tall smokestacks seen in background of this recent post.) The falcon home page with the livestream is here, if the embed doesn't work or last below.
It's hard to catch them at home sometimes, but you can back up the stream to see them. I did a deep dive on them recently, pun intended, and they are a fascinating creature. I'd love to witness the hunt in real life sometime. A good four minute video is here if interested. And a good story on the site linked in the previous paragraph of the origins of the nest and happenings since 2009.
*Edit: I just found this page that has livestream links to other peregrine falcon nests at other power plants in Wisconsin.
Labor Day is Monday, so we have a three day weekend. Today, I made two batches of flatbread this morning, we went out for burgers for lunch and now I'm watching the Brewer game while typing this. This evening we're going to grill out jerk chicken and I'm hoping to have a fire. I also need to call my Mom and plan an overnight trip as I have a week off coming very soon. My wife will have things to do for her dad the next two days for several hours each day, but we'll still have some time to rest and recreate together.
I know I've had some pretty shallow posts recently, but there really hasn't been much to say. I'll post some pics if I have a fire tonight. Or if I'm too tired then tomorrow looks like good fire weather, too.
A beautiful day and very busy, as always, but if you can find parking it's a great way to fill time and spend zero money. I was working so my full attention was on my client, but still I couldn't help but take a few quick pictures of some of the residents of our very nice local zoo. It's easily taken for granted to have this in our city. I didn't spend a lot of time getting every exhibit or even perfect shots, even though I managed to omit getting the many people, including many moms and lots of kids, in the pictures I did take. Enough pictures I thought it would be good to share, so please enjoy.
There's a few of them, so after the break, of course.
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| Starkweather creek, from this morning's walk. |
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| Sunflower and afternoon rain and wind today, dark enough at times for the garage lights to turn themselves on. |
Plus commentary, that is.
My wife and I spent time on separate chores this morning, mine at home and hers more unexpected and difficult. By early afternoon we were able to be done and go out for a nice, but very filling lunch together, then relaxed at a pub for a few drinks before coming home to watch the Brewers win their game and extend their lead in the division, league, and all of Major League Baseball.
'Chuffed' isn't a word often used here in the US, but seems to aptly describe our pride as fans of our small-market team doing so well. It's happened with our different Wisconsin teams at different times, but it's always really nice to look at the standings and see your team on top and enjoy it while it lasts.
We've talked about coming to Fete de Marquette in years past, just have never made it until this year. McPike park is relatively new to Madison, established about 10 years ago, and creates a nice open space near downtown Madison. Initially, it was even called Central Park. There is a skate park and some facilities, but mostly it is open lawn (a very well-kept lawn compared to other parks) with few trees mostly on the border.
We went about mid-day on Saturday, early enough that it wasn't too crowded. The skies were mostly clouds and there was a good breeze. We spent a couple hours, then left as the clouds started to break up and the sun made it very hot. Atwoodfest is coming soon, and so is Eken Park Fest in August. There are more but we'll just have to see.
A few more pictures after the break.
My wife's latest choice for me to make from King Arthur's Big Book Of Bread - Cacio E Pepe Rolls.
This appears to be a recipe reminiscent of a classic Roman pasta. It's a salty, peppery dough with pecorino Romano cheese. Once baked, they are also tossed in a topping of salt, freshly cracked black pepper, pecorino Romano cheese and olive oil. Big flavor in these rolls, half of which have been frozen for another day. They took about 4 hours to make, start to finish, and was a good baking exercise even if I never make them again. I can't wait to see what she chooses next.
