Wednesday, October 20, 2010

Cirque du Prairie

Although recent days have been warm and sunny, the days are definitely getting shorter and nights are much cooler.  The ground has been covered with a light frost several mornings, but nothing serious enough to affect the garden yet.  But even though the plants that survived the summer's drought are still hanging on, one group of performers has already packed its bags and left for their winter home in Florida.  That's right--the circus has left town!

What, you didn't have a circus in your garden this summer?  If you missed it, let me share some of the most popular acts that appeared here this season:


There were balancing acts high above the floor of the Big Top.



Tightrope walkers . . .



 Acrobats . . .



. . . and Contortionists.


 There were so many daring feats they made me dizzy just watching.


This performer scaled a sheer vertical cliff effortlessly without any ropes.



There were numerous balancing acts that would make your head spin . . .






The lion tamers were equally brave, showing no fear of the mighty cats with their powerful jaws. 


There were jugglers as well who could catch a stick in mid-air.


And what would a circus be without the clowns?

  I think we might have had a flea circus visiting, too, but I repeatedly sent them packing!

(Please note: The juggler, clown, and "lion" have not vacated the premises
but will be overwintering here.)


And the most breath-taking of all--the trapeze artist, swinging from high above without a net. Gasp!



There were many times over the years, back when my four children were growing up and I was teaching full-time that I thought my life was a three-ring circus.  But life goes at a much slower pace now, and my juggling talent is seriously diminished.  Instead, I'm content to sit on the sidelines and cheer on my little circus performers.  I do hope they come back next summer for a return engagement.

35 comments:

  1. Oh Rose, this is just a fabulous post! Great critter captures, funny descriptions, wonderful memories of the wildlife circus that keeps us entertained all season. Love the cirque du Prairie :)

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  2. Hooray for the garden circus! Fabulous photos of furry friends. Brava to you for raising 4 kids while teaching!

    My 3 ring circus is currently spinning so fast I can barely take photos. I'm looking forward to some slow garden time as much as I'm enjoying the action now.

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  3. This is brilliant, Rose! The prose and photos are superb! The clown and wild cat are especially enjoyable, well done! :-)
    Frances

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  4. I am always delighted by a circus Rose. I too am already axiously awaiting the arrival of the summer circus. Hopefully there will be more "water" acts next year.

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  5. I loved this post Rose! It's a thrilling carnival of activity in the garden~There's always something to thrill, chill or amaze us! I feel bad for folks who never get this close to see it all! gail

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  6. That was fun Rose! I'd be glad to come to your circus any time.

    Have a great day!

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  7. What a fabulous post! This really brought a smile to my face :) I feel like you just put me in a really good mood Rose! This post is what all us bloggers try everyday, to create art. Bravo!!

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  8. What a fun post. How clever!
    Balisha

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  9. I just never know where you're taking us with your imagination, Rose. Now I wish I'd stocked up on peanuts and popcorn to munch on while enjoying the show. Some of your performers are settling in down here in Florida. I hope the drought doesn't steal their thunder.

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  10. The circus is fun to watch in deed. Great post!

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  11. Great post Rose! I love it!

    What's the plant with the beautiful fuzzy purple buds?

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  12. Just look at those wonderful photos! Brilliant. That cat with his tongue out and the doggy on her back are so sweet and of course the caterpillars and creatures and butterflies and the plants. Thats all of them!
    Maggie X

    Nuts in May

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  13. Delightful, colorful, and clever, Rose! I can imagine you had as much fun creating as we did viewing :) Thank you for the smile :)

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  14. Cute! I will also miss the butterflies and other garden visitors.

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  15. Oh, Rose, I loved this post!!! So charming and such truth in your words and pictures. I enjoyed the acts and when I got to the lion, I laughed. Thank you for the smiles. I know your circus will return because you give them just what they need to perform.~~Dee

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  16. Glad you all enjoyed my little "circus":) The last photo is what actually inspired this post as I watched the mantis one day swinging slowly from one stem to another as if he were on a trapeze, and yes, he was upside down.

    Sweet Bay, the purple plant in two of the photos is Russian Sage. It looks fuzzy, only because my camera blurred the closest stems:)

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  17. Hi Rose,
    This brought a smile to my face. Cute circus performers... so talented and amazing. " He flies through the air with the greatest of ease...the daring young bug on the flying trapeze." That music is in my mind now.

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  18. What fantastic photos. I have been so busy recently and have really missed visiting all my virtual friends. I guess I have missed a lot. Do you have a new camera? The shots are so clear and beautiful, of course the photographer is also superb.

    Your garden flowers are so lovely, I do miss having a garden to go out into and pick flowers from.

    And how did you get the Lion to make that face for you?!!

    Great to be back in your garden again, thank you

    Sx

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  19. Rose, such a delightful and wonderful post! I love the beautiful caterpillar; we have never seen one in our garden. Thanks for the smiles... now off to the kitchen. Enjoy your weekend.

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  20. Enjoyed seeing all the performers, furry and non-furry alike. Clever idea for a post! Kudos! :)

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  21. Oh Rose! You have such a creative mind, I enjoyed every word and every photo. I loved all your little creatures but as usual my heart was won by the juggler/clown :) she is such a darling, I wish I could give her a hug!

    Beautiful photos and a wonderful read...thank you :)

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  22. I enjoyed the wildlife photos, and the accompanying story. Watching animals, both big and small, is such fun in the garden.

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  23. Fun post Rose! ;) I love your the tongue on your cat and Sophie is always adorable. :)

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  24. Rose, this is a delightful post. Such clever narrative for the photos and a wonderful way to showcase the 'odds and ends' pics. The star performer has to be Sophie-she makes a wonderful clown! :)

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  25. Rose, this is one of the best posts ever! I love it. Two thumbs and all my toes up! Of course the fierce lion was my favourite, but the bees come in a close second.

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  26. J'aime beaucoup le Cirque du Prairie! C'est si beau!

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  27. I love your circus shots, and had a good laugh at the clowns! What a clever and silly way to enjoy all the stuff gong on in your garden.

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  28. What a fantastic post Rose - love all the antics and cannot believe your "lion" shot - that's what I call a substantial tongue!

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  29. Those photos are absolutely amazing! Each one I kept saying, 'Wow!' And, of course, the clown is the best!

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  30. Quel cirque! I'm jealous of your caterpillars!

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  31. What a fun post! Put a smile on my face. You certainly are creative! I loved the cat with tongue stuck out. I just got my son's cat, as his little boy is allergic. I think Moby will keep those nasty squirrels out of the bird feeders this winter.
    Hope the flea circus has gone for good!

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  32. Rose I don't normally watch circus acts but all your performers were most enjoyable to watch..Bravo to each one!
    I will surely attend again next year!
    Oh the ferocious feline and the clown stole the show! Great post!

    Now that I'm settled in I should be more regular with blogging! BTW.we are off to AZ for American Thanksgiving!We've rented a house for snowbirding so if you are there over the winter do stop by.

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  33. What a charming post. And beautiful photographs.

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  34. Dear Rose,
    This was a fun post. I love all your bugs....
    Your mantis looks like it is a Chinese Mantis. They are huge! I took photos of one this afternoon that was swinging in the wind!
    Your "lion" is so funny...
    I will miss the bugs....
    Sherry

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