Just Like Frogs

Many vertebrate and invertebrate animals estivate to escape their environments.  And just like frogs,  we have burrowed down:  have drawn our blinds, closed the shutters, and turned off most lights.  We have a variety of beach umbrellas (purchased on our many trips to CVSs while on beach vacations -- I told him they'd come in handy some day!!) positioned around the patio near all the potted plants.  Even with frequent watering and shading, there's a whole lot of wilting going on.  (Did you know that when nighttime temperatures stay above 80, fruit (like tomatoes) won't flower?  I didn't know that -- heard it on WTOP the other day.)  I also noticed that while our roses are blooming,  the flowers are substantially smaller and lighter in color than they're supposed to be.  (E.g., the pink hybrid teas are almost white.)

Our plans to go to Brookside Gardens  and then to The Comet (as seen on Drive-ins, Diners, and Dives) have been shelved for next week as the temps with heat indeces should be around 107° or higher.  We did go out this morning, wearing white, smeared in sunscreen, and sporting hats, to a local farmer's market and got some Japanese eggplant, white and yellow peaches, a few peppers, and short ribs.  While we were at the market, someone spotted a balde eagle circling overhead.  I had goose bumps (and in this weather that ain't no easy feat!).  What a diverse and healthy ecosystem we're blessed with in this community!  Four large, man-made lakes, Runningbrook Creek,  the Little Patuxent River, and acres and acres of protected open space have attracted a variety of wildlife, wading birds (like blue herons and egrets), and raptors --  now including eagles!  The small crowd of us stood looking skyward  for about five minutes -- too amazed to take a photo.  I'll be checking out the skies for days to come!