One could only conclude from the evidence, that the weather Gods were in a very bad mood yesterday.
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When, after 24 hours of grumbles the rain stopped, thick mist came to replace it.
But at least it was quiet and Dee Dee could come out of hiding.
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“Thunder?”
“It sounds like canon balls!”
“I’ll be downstairs.”
“Where they can’t get me.”
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Time to share some recent pictures….
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A damp Peanut arrived one morning
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“Yo! That’s a fox!”
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“I think I’ll go this way…”
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“Heavens, it’s just Peanut!”
“Can we get on with breakfast?”
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Nibbs stalked past without turning a hair.
And sat at the front door, preferring alfresco service that day.
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His Nibbs happened by on the day of Lily’s recent great sulk.
Was she distressed that everyone had been chewing on the catnip she‘d found?”
She marched indoors and straight downstairs, wailing the piercing lament she has been perfecting, just as Nibbs arrived.
His ears went up, he tilted his head and ran to the top of the stairs.
“Aow?” he inquired, rushing to help.
It seems his attention was not appreciated as Lily remained in her bed all day.
Nibs went off muttering : “Women!”
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One evening, a new arrival.
It would be hard to miss such a beautiful and unusual sight.
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Pigeons come and go here. It’s a long time since I saw pigeons in other parts of the world, so I can’t say for sure that I never saw one this colour before, but certainly not here. I wondered if it would return. Sure enough, next morning:
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It came to breakfast at the seed tray,
without the bluster of the usual gang.
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“I’m just another brown-white bird”
it said, politely acknowledging the others.
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“Do you expect to be here often?” asked Master Sparrow
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Juvenile Red-wing engaged it too:
“I say. You’re awfully smart!”
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In its modest way, it seemed keen to pose
as if it knew I admired it.
Titling its head
Looking at me.
Where did it come from?
It flies with other pigeons yet seems not of their flock.
Another of our mysteries.
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Bird vetch attracts white butterflies
and other flying creatures.
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Then a couple of days ago Grant came to fetch me after getting another surprise…
“Really? That’s so cool!
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All summer, we have not seen a single Monarch butterfly.
Yet, at least one has been here!
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While watching out for one caterpillar
Grant found two more.
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My finds were more ordinary.
An unusual bifurcated milkweed leaf
where two days later I surprised a grasshopper
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“I hope you’re not saying I’m ordinary!”
No. Of course not.
It was still there the following morning.
Perhaps it has a lot to think about.
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I also found these two cheeky chaps.
Tussock moth caterpillars.
Aka leaf-shredders!
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And on one of our very wet afternoons, this juvenile woodpecker came looking for nuts.
It stayed fearlessly watching me as I took its picture through the rain splashed door.
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Furthermore, when rowdy Blue-jays arrived to challenge it, my bold little friend chased them off.
One brand new Red-breasted Woodpecker lunged at 3 Blue-jays and they flew away.
I was impressed!
(Blue-jays are tough!)
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“That’s my child!”
It is an daunting beak!
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Another damp juvenile. A Towhee
Parents nowhere to be seen.
But they must be somewhere near.
A busy day with all those comings and goings!
We have many wood pigeons in the garden, two of them are even nesting in the front hedge. But I have never seen a brown and white one. (Nor a juvenile Woodpecker.)
Best wishes, Pete.
It is a beautiful pigeon (I have never seen such a colour). You actually have quite a few new faces here in your garden – great to have them drop by too.