Poor air quality is not something we normally worry about here but an alert was issued on Wednsday and today the air looks decidedly smokey.
Presumably this is from wildfires.
They have seem to have become the norm which I find quite disturbing.
So many of these fires are caused by humans, and sometimes deliberately which is incomprehensible.
One sympathizes with fire victims, of course, but at heart it is the lost wildlife that makes me despair.
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It has always been animals that mattered most to me.
Human causes naturally enough have the greater financial support and the more immediate response after disasters.
So, my humble support will always go to animal causes.
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The early squirrel gets the nut.
Ghost reasserted his tenancy!
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“So happy to be back.”
“These nuts are better quality.”
“And I like it here.”
“In spite of all the competition!”
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Abandoning the field…
“I don’t compete with fledglings!”
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They arrived from all directions.
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“Does anyone know how to drive this thing?”
“Don’t just stand around! Help us!”
There was a growing concern over the availability of peanuts.
So maybe they thought they would drive into town to get some!
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“Mercy! Shove something in its beak!”
“I did!”
“Well keep them coming!”
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“Wow!”
“No-flaps take-off!”
“I want you to teach me that trick!”
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Ghost found a quieter snack bar
We think he’s looking a bit thin.
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Perhaps he’s been busy, like Rusty.
Otherwise known as Randy.
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Hormones get the better of him.
When there’s no lady squirrel in sight,
A table leg will suffice.
(I kid you not)
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“Oh, missus!”
“You didn’t tell?!”
“I can’t help being red-tailed!”
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Talking of tails…
What happened to the end of this one?
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Something untoward befell it.
These squirrels beat each other up quite viciously and often the wounds fester.
But Half-tail seems fine.
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So much for not naming wildlife.
This is probably one of Little Red’s offspring from last year.
She had more recently.
Little Red is also identifiable by her tail.
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Working in an airport, even if you are an aeroplane fan, the novelty soon wears off.
With one exception.
If I heard Concorde, I had to see.
I still would, but those days are gone.
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When Concorde G-BOAG flew into retirement at Boeing Field in Seattle, I thought I should never again hear the unique sound of her engines , but of course, grace a YouTube I can still enjoy nostalgic moments.
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These days, other birds bring me to the window.
Sadly there often isn’t time to get the focus sorted out.
Magnificent Great Blue Heron
It opened its gorgeous wings but I was wobbling about and then it was gone…
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…not wanting to be confronted by an out-of-focus, but quite daunting
Red-tailed Hawk.
Good blog per usual. I am now on your side of the U.S. – flew into Hartford yesterday. Long trip from Seattle starting at 3 A.M.
Yes, it’s tiring. Get some rest!
I do wish they’d teach these creatures to pose properly!
Thank you, Carolyn, for a wonderful post and brilliant photos!
Joanna
Last night in NYC I started smelling smoke and it didn’t go away until about 5am. And my thoughts ran very much along your lines.
By the time of he morning stroll, the smell was gone. And now a heavy rain and a thunderstorm. We need some rain here after some glorious late spring days but I wish the rains of those afflicted areas up north. As always – Thank -you.
I’m sure Ghost is happy to be back and enjoying delicious snacks. But in today’s post, the birds (and their conversations) steal the show. I had such a good laugh at: “Does anyone know how to drive this thing?” 😅. You have an absolutely wonderful imagination Carolyn!
I wasn’t a fan of aircraft, but I agree there was always something special about seeing Concorde take off from Heathrow.
Those birds really do look as if they are trying to drive the sack-barrow!
Why people start wildfires is totally beyond my comprehension. The images of burning Koalas in the Australian bush fires still haunt my dreams.
Little Red is my favourite, I admit.
Best wishes, Pete.