They both gave us a fairly good imitation of little black flying squirrels today, both before and after we returned from our afternoon ravine perambulation. They do that sometimes, go slightly berserk with happiness and/or anticipation, and just being exuberant little puppies. They're swift as birds, leaping joyously about, taking flying leaps through the air, twisting, turning, performing little arabesques, challenging one another over who is capable of covering more ground faster, and who can leap the highest effortlessly.

Although Jillie gives it a good try, impressive even, given her stout little conformation, she cannot match her brother for speed and agility, but not for lack of unself-consciously making the effort. She gets high marks for that alone, and fairly good marks for the results of her efforts. But it is Jackie whose performance turns us gape-mouthed with wonder. He is sleek, wiry, energetic and without thought goes into his impressive aerobatics routine.

They know all the signals, when we're both finished doing whatever it is that needs being done around the house, and begin to prepare for our outdoor excursion. They know the subtle signs, long before we move into the final preparations of hauling out their collars and harnesses and fill a water bottle and prepare to leave the house. They know, as any self-respecting dog would.

When we set off this afternoon the sun was ascendant, ruling the mostly blue sky. By the time we returned an hour and a half later, the sun had retired after a hard day's work, clouds moved in and the heat generated by the sun's presence evaporated and none too gradually, given the wind dispersing heat and introducing cooler temperatures.

Until the sun was obscured by clouds there wasn't a hint of mosquitoes. As soon as cool shade set in not only were the mosquitoes encouraged to take up where they left off yesterday, but swarms of blackfloies arrived to circle our heads for the first time this year.This, despite the wind, which in theory should sweep them about, not aid them in giving offence. Although we were wearing eye glasses and they're one line of defence, the tiny black pests who don't think much of civil distance went straight for eyes, mouths, ears and neck.

Blackberries beginning to bloom

Their presence along with that of the mosquitoes convinced us to move along a little more briskly. The blackflies were a dreadful nuisance flaunting their presence, but didn't seem to be biting, whereas the mosquitoes seemed convinced it was incumbent upon them to do double-duty. Jackie and Jillie, black as they are, also invite biting insects, but their hair is so overgrown, with the prospect of grooming awaiting two more weeks' passage, that though we see small black swarms around them if they stand around for longer than two seconds, the pests don't seem to penetrate their haircoats.
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Milkweed

We noted that milkweed plants are beginning to grow, and that'll be good news for Monarch butterflies, when they arrive. We've seen the presence of large, gorgeous yellow Swallowtails as large as the tiny hummingbirds that have also visited. They seem to appreciate the woodland phlox now in bloom and the blackberry blossoms, now in great abundance.
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When we returned home and wandered briefly around the garden, I couldn't help but linger before the most favoured of our clematis vines, boasting an embarrassment of blooms this year. The bearded Irises, front and back of the house are also in bloom now, and the cultivated Columbine that seems to rebirth itself here and there in the gardens, has also sent up its bright pink flowerheads among the hostas and other plants in the rock garden.