Much appreciated Bill. You are an invaluable resource in this community of bicycle adventure "journalists." We all have to make a living. My career in Corrections and brief stint in a cement block making factory did not outwardly reflect my degree in English Literature and Writing. However, i like to think that the degree helped me express myself better in both arenas. I'll look for your journal on CGOAB. I have several journals out on that site as well. I'm glad these sites exist if for no other reason that when i am gone, there will be some record that we passed this way once upon a time. All the best to you and many thanks for what you do here.

I really do enjoy searching out nature IDs. The internet is just amazing in what is available within minutes that would have taken weeks or months back when I was in college (graduated from AZ State 1969).

With deteriorating knees, my last cycle tour was in 2011 posted on CGOAB (Heart Attack Comeback). So, following cycle tours and posting nature IDs gives me a chance to engage in 2 of my favorite things. My career as Explosives Safety did not quite match with my Zoology degree!!

Again, many thanks Bill! I thought these blue flowers were especially nice. I may look for some to plant in my own garden. They will be enhancements, unless the deer develop a taste for them. Take good care.

Many thanks Bill! I always appreciate your interest in my literary endeavors and am especially grateful for your botanical and zoological identification skills. It's a team effort in this business. Hope you are doing well.

Love-in-a-mist

https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/62313-Nigella-damascena

The 5 petal yellow ones are cinquefoil. Probably sulphur cinquefoil.

https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/62211-Potentilla-recta

Tiny yellow ones are black medick
https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/57056-Medicago-lupulina

Thanks Bill, for that story. Guiding is a lot of fun but I suppose there comes a time when it must end. I was a bit dismayed to see that one of the companies in Albright had its building up for sale. The other one, in the photo, was in such condition as I could not tell if they were still in business or not. We're in a tough economic climate and many business are having trouble surviving. Maybe I made the right move after all!

Had to chuckle at your raft guiding story... I have a nephew who guided on the Ocoee Rivers, summers during college. He liked it so much, he went back to it (for about 10 years) and that after quitting a 6 figure job after a couple years because he did not like anything about working for that corporation. He only quit guiding because it got harder for his body to recover as he got older. About 15 years ago he took our Beavercreek, OH Scout troop as his final river guiding run then he went full time into guide company management, and a few years later switched careers.

Fun for a while, but the old frame kind of wears out after while.

Thanks Bill. Yes, I would believe it. We have a lot of Milkweed around here. It's become one of those plants that are recommended for having a native species garden to attract insects, birds, small animals, etc. Good stuff. Many thanks for all of your research!

Milkweed. According to one reputable website, about 8 different species in the area.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Asclepias

----->Bill

Thanks Bill. Everytime I tried to get closer, they would all fly away. Yellow is my favorite color. There were quite a few of these butterflies around that puddle when I first approached.

Thanks Bill. They were pretty little things that caught my eye as I was going past.

Thanks Bill. I would have guessed in the Rudbeckia family. The leaves are very similar to the pink coneflowers in my garden. I'll have to take a closer look at the Black-eyed Susans' leaves.

Cool name for the bug! No wonder it wasn't afraid of me. Thanks Bill!

Orange coneflower?
https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/142654/browse_photos

Or black-eyed Susans?
https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/62741/browse_photos