Landed in Oregon IX

August 27, 2007

Haven’t noticed the deer so much since our return from Montana. Apples are laying about on the ground. Tonight, though, the mother doe and fawn were here, and an early adult spike and doe were here.

August 28, 2007

The squirrels were getting into the feeder. So, Sharon put a cover above it. Then Fiona started raiding the feeder. So, we relocated it to the deck. Where Cappy found it easier to catch the finch and other birds. So, ...?

I need to note Fiona. She had to learn raiding the feeders from watching birds. However I have not seen evidence of other deer learning to raid feeders from Fiona. So at this time we just have a genius doe.

August 30, 2007

The long, hot summer. Cappy, white, deaf, hunts grasshoppers in the driveway. And he rolls in the dust. Does it just come naturally or did he learn from watching the turkeys. Who, by the way, are starting to group up with both sexes. Cappy comes into the house now, mostly grey, a cloud of dust.

When it became hot in July, the bees started hitting the hummingbird feeders. Now it is not so hot. But it is drier. Today I watched one bee fend off repeated hummer efforts to reach the feeder.
September 3, 2007

Summer is the Velcro Season. It starts maybe in July when the blooms shrivel and the seeds form and last until after the Fall rains. The seeds stick to socks and shoelaces, but not to leather. They stick to denim and hair on arms, legs, head. They sneak into washers and dryers and come out on socks and shorts and bras, surprises (and curses) first thing in the morning. I keep thinking I will plan a Velcro campaign in early summer. Maybe next year.

Today I watered the five trees (planted year before last) on the other side of the creek, adjacent to the kennel. They are doing fine. The vines are running wild. My son Luke said hello (another story). I will devote a little time to whacking vines.