I'm Still Here!!

I'm still here. Just been rained out the last few days. Hope to get back with the program tomorrow. The weather is starting to turn Autumn cool and I just put on some long johns. I won't provide a picture of that.

toadshade

The Carolina Renaissance Faire Stroll

'Crazy Man Michael'
Originally uploaded by toadshade

I went with friends Raven, Ann-Marie and Viv to the annual Ren Faire in Charlotte today. I really love these things and didn't know about this one until last year when one of favorite bands, the Mediaeval Baebes, was playing there. My aesthetics and musical leaning go back to the Middle Ages and I tend to listen to this type of music all the time - not that I want to live in that era mind you. No dental care, plague and short life spans were not good selling points. But from these came the reason I like the period so. A lot more death brought on a lot more of the sacred; more thoughtful mediations on life and death. It shows in the music and the poetry of the period. But Ren Faires bring out all of the baudy fun and vitality of the age. Gives a people a chance to play dress up and blast out of this millennium and live in a world of beauty, love, adventure and music.

toadshade

The Ulmer 6 Mile Tempo

I ran this hilly run and it was a little too summer hot for me to attack that sharp uphill in the 5th mile. So I walked the quarter mile up the hill and still had a time of 58:02 at 9:41 per mile. My training is really going well but I'll be taking a few days off for the Ren Faire in Charlotte.

toadshade

The Evening Morning Glory 5

Morning Glory
Originally uploaded by toadshade

Found this Morning Glory blooming in the late evening on Universal Drive. Technically this is Hedge Bindweed (Convolvulus sepium) and is a vine that tends to choke and eventually kill whatever it's host is. Sort of like Japanese Honeysuckle. I don't know if Bindweed is an invasive like Honeysuckle but I know I grew up loving them both - long before I knew anything about wildflowers. I suppose there's some value to be placed on aesthetics and the human spirit.

toadshade

The Butterfly Meadow 4 Mile Hike

Went with Ann-Marie this morning to see what nature had to offer at this local park. As far as new wildflowers, several types of Aster were growing, and as far as birds, there was a new or migrating Thrush species. Couldn't tell if it was a Hermit Thrush (that over winters) or a Veery (that passes through). But the real treat turning out to be butterflies. With all the Goldenrods, Vervains, Gerardias, Gaillardias, and Camphorweeds out there, there were plenty of Butteflies to go around. Most common were the Gulf Fritillaries and the Common Buckeyes. Did run across a couple of Pearl Crescents. Snapped a photo of one of the Buckeyes. Fall is beginning to even more glorious.

toadshade

The Ulmer 8 Mile Sunflower Run

Took this hilly 8 miler to see how I was doing at pace after the hot summer. Did it in 1:18:56 which is under 10 minutes per mile. It was 77 but muggy. Saw some Woodland Sunflowers along the way and marveled at the dominance of the Goldenrods that were so rare just a few weeks ago. All in all a great run.

toadshade

The Southeast Woodpecker 2

I was going 4 miles on this but the birding was so good I had to stop and take notice. A cold front


had come through and the temps were cool and the color was fall brilliant and beautiful. Migrating birds move on cold fronts so I was in for a treat. Saw 2 Wood Thrushes which are, usually fairly common, but the first ones this year for me. Saw an Acadian Flycatcher gleaning insects from the pond. Saw 2 Yellowthroats along with the usual Crows, Mockingbids, Blue Jays, Cardinals and Carolina Wrens. But the real treat was a Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, our only migratory Woodpecker, along with 3 others types: Red-bellied Woodpecker, Downy and Northern Flicka. It was nice just to watch them come and go. Pictured is the trees and bushes I saw them dashing about.

toadshade



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