It's hot down here; highs in the mid-80s F (>29C) with "feels like" topping 100F due to the high relative humidity. We venture out in the morning and again in the evening with a quick noontime walk in the shade for the dogs. The weather pattern will break in another 3 days or so. Whew!!!
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| Barnie in a sploot. Or is that a semi-sploot? |
It was so miserable even at dawn this morning that Barnie refused to walk more that the bare minimum.
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| The air is thick with moisture, but no rain in sight. |
Lots of bird nesting activity, though. I have been watching a pair of Social Flycatchers tending the nest they built at eye level just off the veranda where I sit every morning with my coffee and computer. I think they may have a helper, too. Good thing since they have to fend off big, marauding Brown Jays who want to eat their young! And they also have to chase off the Kiskadees who want to steal the nest for their own use. The parents are doing a fine job and it won't be long until the nestlings fledge out into the world. The Kiskadees finally settled on another nest site.
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| Kiskadee nest in the crotch of a gumbo limbo tree. Their favorite place to nest used to be the rain gutters until we put an end to that with gutter guards. Don't want nest debris and bird poop in our water supply! |
A little farther afield I came across these sizable owl pellets. Fur was visible upon a closer look. Not sure what kind of owl it might be.
Life and death go on in our backwater world. We watch as the world at large goes to hell, with the trampling human rights and real freedoms - not bullshit freedom to not wear a mask, but actual freedom to live and speak and to procreate or not procreate without the will of others being forcefully imposed upon you. We continue to send financial support (ACLU, Planned Parenthood, subscriptions to various news outlets to support journalism) and try not to feel helpless to change things.
Financial support is sometimes the most effective resistance.
ReplyDeleteI like your birding notes, such different species from the ones I'm familiar with. Some of the habits are not so different though.
Thanks, Boud. Birds have their share of bullies and opportunists, too!
DeleteSo much of it is about trying to not feel helpless. Meanwhile, where you are is beautiful.
ReplyDeleteIt has been an emotional struggle for me and that makes me feel even more guilty because I, physically am not directly impacted; only my soul. Sometimes all I can do is withdraw and try to find the sweetness in my surroundings. I know you understand.
DeleteSame here since my marching days are done, Love the photos and sorry about the heat.
ReplyDeleteWe all do what we can. Glad you enjoy the photos.
DeleteIt's amazing how high humidity can increase the heat feel. And discomfort. May you get rain soon.
ReplyDeleteAnd may women someday not have to fight for our most basic and personal of rights!
Perhaps rain on Thursday! Human rights - only guaranteed if you are a straight rich white man.
DeleteI don't favor heat, but I prefer it to cold weather (we had some pretty cold days this winter).
ReplyDeleteKudos to you for supporting human rights and freedoms in the world!
I'll take the heat over the cold, too, DUTA!
DeleteI hope the flycatchers hold out against the territorial usurpers! I wouldn't have known what those owl pellets were if I'd found them. Once again, your description of the weather and the photos remind me of Florida.
ReplyDeleteThe weather is very much like a hot Florida summer right now. Fortunately, this won't last long and we will be back to a little less humidity and a little more breeze. My sisters, both educators and wildlife enthusiasts, have encouraged me to collect the pellet, sterilize if by wrapping it in foil and baking it, and then dissecting it to see what got eaten. I'll take a collection baggie when I head up that way again. A fun project in store! The flycatchers are persevering.
DeleteHope the extreme heat has broken by now. We are just beginning to warm up - got to 25C today, very pleasant! The owl pellets are very interesting. I guess the owls are keeping down the rodent population.
ReplyDeleteYes, the heat has broken a bit and it was cool enough (i.e. less than 80F at dawn) to go for a run this morning for the first time in 5 days. Enjoy your good weather - I hope your injured finger doesn't slow you down!
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