Summer Storm...

Two weeks ago a ferocious storm blew in from the north-west. It knocked down trees, caused power failures, blew furniture and unsecured items around outside, and caused major flooding in the area. We got about four inches (ten centimetres) of rain in less than an hour!

Candace was at work at the time, and I had Riaan asleep in the carrier when the storm hit. Along with Rusty, we sat on the floor behind our couch while the storm raged outside. It hit our barn with such force that brooms and mops leaning against the wall inside fell to the ground! Here are some photos of the aftermath of this severe event.

 View of the flooding from our top window.

 Flooded lawn.

 Windswept plants.

 Furniture and other items blown off the porch.

 The green sandpit has been moved across the porch and has lost its lid...

 ... Which came to rest in a soybean field a fair distance away.

 The pond was very full.

 It's water outlet was working overtime to keep the pond from overflowing!

 Flooding on the gravel road that runs past our place.

 Probably not the best day for a cycle. :)

 Flooding is still evident as I drove along the roads the next day

 Flooded field.

Uprooted trees.

Cope's Gray Tree Frog...

These small tree frogs often serenade us with their calls during the night hours. There are at least three that live on the wall of the barn, just above our small fish pond. They are really cute!

 They're only a couple of centimetres in length.

Tree frogs clinging to the side of the house.

 Male frog calling into the night.

Sunday Funday...

A few weeks ago we had our British-American friends come over for a lovely Indian supper. Candace drew on our path with chalk to welcome our friends. :) We had a lovely time of fellowship and fun. It's great to be part of multicultural community in Daviess County! :)

 Candace's artwork. :)

 Indian food, yum!

Aspiring rugby player right here! :)

Eastern Kingbird...

This pretty flycatcher is an eastern kingbird. They spend the winters in South America and fly north for the summers to nest and raise their young. This pair of eastern kingbirds had built their nest in a tree just outside our barn. Unfortunately the nest was destroyed in a powerful storm several days after I took these photos. :(

 It is a very territorial bird.

Sitting on the nest.

Porch visitor...

Candace, Riaan and I came home to a visitor on our stoep or front porch several weeks ago. It's another midland painted turtle, one of the most common turtles in this area. He was relaxing in the shade between our pot plants on a very hot day, before making his way back to the pond.

 He's between the pots on the left.

 A closer view.

I love the colours of these turtles. :)

Mercy Ships presentation...

Candace and I were blessed to give a Mercy Ships talk at Bethel Mennonite Church a couple of weeks ago. Their Vacation Bible School was raising funds for Mercy Ships throughout the week. There were over 250 children present, as well as leaders and parents. Our presentation went very well, and we had many questions afterwards. It made us both miss our years of service with Mercy Ships!

 Memories from Mercy Ships.

 I miss driving Land Rover Defenders in West Africa!

 Candace and I sharing about Mercy Ships.

The children, leaders and parents in the church.

Beautiful sunset...

Stop... and enjoy this lovely sunset from last week. It was beautiful!

Eastern Box Turtle...

We moved this cute fellow off the road a few weeks ago. He's an eastern box turtle (or tortoise), and is classified as vulnerable. He withdrew into his shell as I picked him up and moved him off the road. I wish he'd kept his head out. :)

Lovely patterns and colours on the shell.

Turkey Run State Park...

After visiting Shades State Park, we drove across to Turkey Run State Park. Here we enjoyed a picnic lunch before going for a lovely hike along Sugar Creek and through the winding canyons and ravines. It was a really great visit to beautiful Parke County!

 Entrance to Turkey Run State Park.

 Picnic for lunch.

 Downy Woodpecker and Red-headed Woodpecker.

 Blue Jay.

 Approaching the pedestrian suspension bridge over Sugar Creek.

 Sugar Creek.

 The suspension bridge.

 Candace (and Riaan) holding up the overhanging cliff.

 Walking along a muddy road.

 Signs of woodpeckers.

 Fungi growing on the trees.

 Cute little chipmunk.

 Walking through pretty scenery.

 Wedge Rock in the canyon.

The other side of Wedge Rock. It's split open like a flower.

Family photo at Turkey Run.