mid-summer mid-air report

We’re about to enter into the third month of summer here (above the equator).   The average

low and high temperatures have just started to go south, so I wanted to file a mid-summer

mid-air report just before the deadline.

The three baby barn swallows are spending less time in the nest above our backdoor.  That’s

good, because there is less nest for them since they’re now as big as their parents.  Yesterday

the entire family was flying an elaborate and methodical pattern around Ollie, chastising him

for being a cat.

The male grouse that have been looking for love for months finally hooked up or gave up.

We’re not hearing their drumming call in the forest anymore.  Way to go, or sorry, guys.

The deer flies and black flies that typically bedevil us for two weeks in July have extended

their bedeviling season.  They’ve been around for six weeks, though not as abundant as

usual.  I’m wondering of this will become more common as the globe heats up.

The chickens seem to have put Slinkee’s double homicide behind them. Given their attention

span and their willingness to eat one of their own, I’m guessing that their mourning period

could have been measured in milliseconds.

And when they do chow down on a former colleague, do they think “this tastes just like me”?

The surviving seven are comprised of three of the original flock and four of the new girls.

They mingle well in the yard, but roost separately in the two rooms of the coop.  Oldtimer

Hudi slept with the younger group a few nights to try to expand her hegemony.  The kids,

however, saw right through this shameless power grab and sent her packing.

Princess has emerged as the star of the group.  Bright, pretty and personable, she is always

the first to greet us in the garden.  This may not be a friendly gesture so much as a rush to

get out an open gate.  It feels neighbourly, nonetheless.

The fish netting we put over the gardens to keep eagles and their ilk from getting in has

worked quite well.  However, it did not deter this sunflower from getting out.