The buzzing is back

Possibly thanks to some overnight rain and occasional showers, I have been noticing more of the little critters.

Yes, I know, flies. But they are kind of pretty....

The benefit of them is that they sit still.

So too this hoverfly, who was finding some of the last dregs of nectar.

That was also the task of the bees.

And of this rather small butterfly.

Some of the plants look rather sorry for themselves. Of course, I watered the little trees. I also gave some water to the cherry and the tree peony, both of which seemed to be suffering.

The forecast is more normal now - with days in the low 20s and showers. But the drought and heat must have taken a huge toll. Especially, I would think, on small mammals.