More Farm Photos

Well, it took many months to happen, but one of the fantail pigeons finally got brave enough to venture out for a look at the big world:

He flew to the roof of the milk house:

I think he was the father of the current baby, and his toenails clicked and slipped on the metal roof:

He flew down to the unsure footing of the window trim, then down onto the lawn where he pecked like a chicken. He was only out a few minutes and then went back inside the barn. He's been out several times since:

The Purple Loosestrife in the drainage ditches along the road began to bloom:

And this new (to me) flower. It was a good six feet tall and also growing in the drainage ditches. A little research in my field guide revealed it to be Hairy Willow-Herb, an introduced species, similar to the the native Fireweed:

The cattails in the drainage ditches were spectacular against the summer sky. By the way, those purple flowers in the background were Hairy Willow-Herb buds, just about to open:

The yellow Asiatic Lilies were all gone, but the orange ones were happy and healthy:

The Tall Garden Phlox also burst into bloom:

Last year they attracted Giant Swallowtail Butterflies, the first sightings in St. Lawrence County. I'm hoping for a repeat this year. Just yesterday, however, a small, young hummingbird was feeding in these flowers. I tried to get a photo but the little bird was too wary:

I've been noticing a pleasant, green apple smell when I walk across the grass and especially when I mow the lawn. But I knew what it was: Wild Chamomile, and we have a bumper crop this year. It is growing everywhere:

The baby fantail pigeon continued to grow. Here it is at 23 days:

Update On The Pets

It's been easy living this summer for the household pets. With two exceptions, every one of them has been happy, healthy and comfortable. The two exceptions are PeeWee, who had another stroke (but recovered) and Bramble, who developed a urinary tract infection (and is being treated):

Georgette continued to bless the upstairs with her orange glow and friendly demeanor:

Daphne and Fergus shared a fleecy dog bed:

And all the dogs share the bedroom with me. PeeWee was there too when I took this shot, just out of the picture:

And there's PeeWee, who has his own personal doggy bed:

Draco kept watch on the living room from a rocking chair:

And Seamus looked adorable at the foot of the bed. He's lost more than 10% of his body weight this summer and is feeling much more comfortable and energetic:

PeeWee seems to slip a little farther off into outer space with each stroke, yet he's still a happy member of the family who enjoys being with us. I think that having all the other dogs and cats around is a great comfort to PeeWee. If he was all alone, I suspect he'd panic:

Daphne, Snoozey and Clover:

A collection of five pets on two fleecy dog beds:

And Draco again posed for the camera, this time on a kitchen chair:

The lazy, happy days of summer. Daphne decided to lie down on the ramp and take a snooze: