It's mid-August and yesterday the heat came on in the house. Unbelievable. Just a few days ago it was unbearably hot and humid, this morning it is 50F. I love this temperature, but I could do without the oil bills for another couple of months.
I woke up way too early and couldn't get back to sleep, and despite the multitude of channels, there was nothing of interest on TV, so at 4am I got up. PopPop came down at about 5:30am and while we were waiting for coffee to brew, we spotted the deer in the backyard. He's been spraying some sort of deer repellent to keep them out of the garden, but the doe came right up to the back of the garden anyway. Maybe it's working, since she didn't go in and eat anything. She had her twins in tow and she was busy keeping an eye on them, as well as watching me.
The early morning birds were in full voice by 6am, including the tiny Ruby-throated hummingbirds. Aside from the hum/buzz of their wings, they do a fair bit of chirping. I haven't seen the male for quite a while now, I don't know what's happened to him, but I saw two females on the feeders this morning. Not much light and shot through the kitchen window, so the photos aren't very good, but the birds are readily visible and identifiable.
It's nice to hear about your cold snap. I had been worrying that the weather in the northeast was no better than the hell we're going through down here in central Florida. I drove out to the beach in New Smyrna yesterday but I couldn't take it. The sun was roasting me before I got to the water. I left and went back home to recover in the A/C. The hummingbirds surely like hanging around your house. I almost never get to see them sitting still. How is the garden anyway. It's harvest time. Let's see some fruits.
ReplyDeleteomg, we have some humongous squash coming, once it's ripe. It must ripen on the vine, it won't ripen once picked, like tomatoes will. Speaking of tomatoes, they are doing well for us this year, since the deer haven't played much tomato soccer so far, though we do see the occasional piece with the tell-tale dental impressions. We've had loads of cucumbers (the deer seem to enjoy nibbling on them as well), way more than we can give away, and green peppers aplenty, though we actually can eat most of those. We're easily able to eat the beets we've got coming, and are they ever yummy, so sweet.
ReplyDeletePopPop said the male ruby-throat showed up tonight while I was engrossed in the Arlington Million (alas, the Tin Man finished second). Good to know he's about, and that probably means a second clutch of hummers is imminent, since the males only fertilize and don't help out with incubation or feeding. Hmmmm...I'll reserve my comments for another day. I'll keep an eye on the hummers and report here.
Great pictures... we only saw the male hummingbirds while up there this summer... now the females are out and about! The twins are so cute... bambi's indeed. Pop Pop should just break down and plant a deer garden for them in the back of his and then put a little fence between ... give some, take some. I love that the twins look apprehensive at entering the yard! so adorable! Beware of the "pear picker" I do want to know the progress on the pear situation!!! is it time to get ready for stealthness??? how I want to be there for that!
ReplyDeleteOn another note: Isn't it wonderful that we can look out in our own backyards to see the beauty and thrill of nature at it's best. Thanks for sharing, this all reminds us that real vacations are anywhere you take the time to look around, pause and enjoy... Great stuff!