We’re having a heat wave

The last five or six days or so, we’ve been having an early heat wave here in upper Minnesota.  The weather has gone from cold rainy days in the 40’s to hot sunny days in the middle 80’s seemingly overnight.  It was like going to bed in March and waking up in August.  I’m not complaining, mind you, but what extremes.  Along with the hot weather has come a more than abundant hatch of mosquitoes.  About that, I’m going to complain. 

                                         It seems ruby-throated hummingbirds like grape jelly too.

My entire summer here last year I could sit outside with Emma until just before sunset.  Not so this year.  Even in the middle of the day, I’m being attacked by hordes of mosquitoes.  I hate putting all that spray on, but I’ve had no choice.  I expect plenty of the little devils if I’m working in the woods or near the water, but not in the open area around my rig.  I’m thinking this is going to be a pretty buggy summer.

Things have slowed down a bit at the Hard Rock Bird Café as nesting season has begun.  This robin obviously has young as it flew off with its mouthful of food to feed the youngsters.

The awful tasting water situation has been solved.  Although there was plenty of salt in the softener, apparently it got jammed up in the big salt bin over the winter from lack of use.  That means the water was coming from the well, and not encountering any softening effects from the salt as it flowed through.  That was fixed yesterday, and I’m back with tasty water once again.  I’m glad it was an easy fix, as that was a deal breaker for me.

The old woodchuck is back once again to torment Emma.  I have also seen the fox almost daily making its rounds shortly after dawn and just before sunset.  They’re both crafty enough to know the length of Emma’s tie out, and take full advantage of it.

I’ve spent the last couple of days doing mundane chores, and getting a power point program ready for a group of about 30 seniors in a local town.  My presentation on beginning birding will be on Friday in the morning.  I chose the morning since some of you may remember my last experience giving a tour to seniors right after lunch in a nice warm bus on Anahuac NWR.  ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ….  I’m hoping this group will be pumped up with lots of morning coffee. 

I leave you tonight with a view of a gorgeous sunset outside my rig on Monday.  I made the mistake of stepping out to take this pic in a t-shirt and shorts.  I was eaten alive, and the picture didn’t even come close to showing the striking colors. 

Thanks for stopping by… talk to you later,  Judy