In the dim light of this foggy, foggy morning the morning glories glowed and the spider webs were outlined with dewdrops.

An early August visit to the DeFries calendar garden and nearby Baintertown wetlands. . . .

I've been pondering the question "What is the value of a mosquito?"  I could certainly do without the bumper crop we've had in the past few weeks, but a narrow focus on that seems a bit anthropocentric. I read recently that one side effect of the thriving crop of mosquitoes is a bumper crop of flourishing dragonflies, who feed on them. We saw plenty of feasting dragonflies hovering over the wetlands, and this one clinging to a seedpod.

Elsewhere some seeds are wind-blown, others not yet formed by their flower, or gathered up and stored in glass.

Bergamot in shadow and in light, yellow coneflowers near and far, pink coneflowers with friend and on fire -- the wonders of a summer day.

More July flowers from the DeFries calendar garden. Enjoy the colors and patterns.