Tuesday Triumph - keeping an eye out

Triumph made many visits during May and I'm catching up on some of the better photos. In these, she is looking behind, keeping her eyes peeled for anything sneaking up on her. She seems to always be looking and listening to what's going on around her.

She stands a chance of making it, if she is cautious of any threats and stays out of the way of vehicles. I have my doubts if a hunter would want to take a shot at her but there always is that one guy...

She's welcome anytime to stay at our place.

White Turkey

This mostly white turkey showed on a May morning. Maybe a domestic turkey escaped and crossbred with the local population but this was an unusual find on the camera.

She stayed with us for a couple of days and I captured 3 seconds of her walking in front of the apple trees.

Something new and unusual sometimes stops by at the acreage before moving on.

Rest among the walnuts, looking down the hill

Another moment of rest and reflection in the shade of the walnut trees, looking down the hill to the east. Taken the summer of 2018, after a few hours of trimming, I took a short break and listened...



At this point in time, I was only on row 4 of 12, so after this short break, it was back to work!

Swallows on the water

Taken during the calm period here on 5/23/19:


A peaceful time watching the swallows feed on the water.

Monarchs in May

This unusual spring has brought the Monarchs back to the area. Maybe I haven't been paying attention but it seems that there are more this year at the end of May than in previous years. Perhaps our cultivation of milkweed plants are paying off.

This butterfly looks weak from its long spring migration as the colors are faded. It didn't help that I was stomping around and disturbed it. This little one is taking a rest on a young milkweed plant.

Tuesday Triumph and friend

In April, Tiumph appeared in the SE corner on the 26th:

And a few minutes later, another doe came into view:

It looks like maybe Triumph isn't quite alone all the time.

We named her Triumph - Tri (for the number 3) and umph for all the extra effort she will need to survive.

We keep an eye out for her for her next return although with the recent massive growth of weeds and muddy conditions, I haven't had a chance to mow. Maybe this week will be a bit drier.

Monday Mom - Trying to keep up

At mom's side, this little one is trying to keep up with her:

Tempest again

"It can't rain forever, can it?"

Those words that were sent to me a couple of weeks ago seem now as a plea to nature. Another round of storms last night with multiple tornado sightings in the county, including damage and at least one injury.

There's been plenty of unrest and tears from the clouds. Let's hope it ends soon.

Weekend damage update

Weather has obviously hindered any work on the pond deck, or rather the cleanup of the debris from the pond. On Sunday, with the water nearly topping the dam, I was able to drag some of it out. Using a pole saw to reach out to cut the deck into manageable pieces and looping a rope around a couple of the poles to mostly drag them out as well. Some of it still remains floating

Some debris remains and it concerns me but time, weather...

For instance, Monday I had to be elsewhere during the morning, like at the homestead when the power went out. Someone needed to be on sump pump duty.

And it was raining anyway.

Monday evening, I stood on the dam looking east with the wind at my back. The damage behind me could not be ignored. The storms of the past week (some of which not weather related) reminding me of the power of our actions and, in some cases, inaction. The storms affected more than a few.

If I had taken better precautions and braced for storms...

If I had paid attention to predict what could have happened...

Still looking east, a few hundred yards down the hill, the Mrs.was weeding around the buckeye tree, our legacy tree for Buck. She didn't notice the doe that bounded out behind the cedar trees and headed south. I couldn't tell if this was Triumph, but I hoped it was.

The damage can be repaired but unfortunately it will take time.

Tuesday Triumph

After nearly a month's absence, we began to worry about our one-legged three-legged* deer and our thoughts naturally progressed to something tragic.

We were relieved to see her return to graze just east of the apple trees. She's still with us and somewhat healthy.

The neighbors have yet to see her as she seems to be comfortable here.We don't mind as it seems we are handicapped accessible.

*Updated - Apparently I can't count