Equinox - September 22nd.
( Photo? Date?) The elm branch that got cracked and torn, and is more or less a huge javelin poised to crash down and take out Father Joe's fence and/ or his bushes or the entryway to his side door. Very frustrating that I didn't have a ladder tall enough to get up there and bring it down. One of those things that, as my father's daughter, I should be able to do. Ultimately, we got lucky. It is still resting roughly where it was. Eric's Tree Service should be coming any time now to clean it all up. *Note - tree guy said they moved to the south valley. And someone promptly stole his THIRTY FIVE THOUSAND DOLLAR chipper. As much as I have wanted a tiny residential-sized chipper, I felt terrible for him.
Late August, early September Herbella started molting. Poor thing. She looks so ratty without her tail feathers. And so much smaller. (Diminutive). She does not, however, act embarrassed. She totally bosses the youngsters around; requires the respect and perks due to a matriarch.
Molting. The chicken yard looks like a hawk got ahold of someone--feathers EVERYWHERE. I can't remember from past years how long the process takes: ~4-6 weeks. I guess when it isn't YOU, you don't pay as careful attention.... She now has her tail feathers back and looks much more dignified. We were happy to see her do it early so she won't be cold later in the season. About the time she was over the worst of it, poor Sophie started. So the chicken yard still looks alarming, only with a quieter color palette--the lustrous black of the Australorps.
On the heels of Hurricane Harvey (again, if it isn't you...) Someone did a detailed wikipedia post already! August 24th on, for like, a solid week of Biblical rain and flooding.
Hurricane Irma From Sept 6, Wednesday, on we watched anxiously. At one point it looked like it was going to hug the coast, keep fueling its ire, and absolutely flatten everything from the Keys on up.
Sunday, Sept 10 Took a break from hurricane-watching to create a ramp for the youngsters to use coming and going from their part of the roost box. Was pretty limited in my options, so considering, think it came out very well. Then, of course, there was the task of convincing the girls that it was a good idea.... (hmm.)
Friday, Sept 15, 2017
Earheart laid her first egg! (We got the 5 youngsters April 24th... how old does that make her?)
Mid-September - sudden sunflower jungle. Lackadaisical onions. Sunchokes and Maxamillians finally starting to bloom. And our neglected mums. Flower seeds planted in the cement block planters completely exceeded expectations. Bachelor's buttons in several colors, Zinnias, and the late addition of some orange Portulacas. The sweet potatoes in the garden proper are a splendid dense carpet. Tomatoes and peppers humming along. (We are still using the marvelous white onions from early summer.) Time to plant some garlic!
Late August, early September Herbella started molting. Poor thing. She looks so ratty without her tail feathers. And so much smaller. (Diminutive). She does not, however, act embarrassed. She totally bosses the youngsters around; requires the respect and perks due to a matriarch.
Molting. The chicken yard looks like a hawk got ahold of someone--feathers EVERYWHERE. I can't remember from past years how long the process takes: ~4-6 weeks. I guess when it isn't YOU, you don't pay as careful attention.... She now has her tail feathers back and looks much more dignified. We were happy to see her do it early so she won't be cold later in the season. About the time she was over the worst of it, poor Sophie started. So the chicken yard still looks alarming, only with a quieter color palette--the lustrous black of the Australorps.
On the heels of Hurricane Harvey (again, if it isn't you...) Someone did a detailed wikipedia post already! August 24th on, for like, a solid week of Biblical rain and flooding.
Hurricane Irma From Sept 6, Wednesday, on we watched anxiously. At one point it looked like it was going to hug the coast, keep fueling its ire, and absolutely flatten everything from the Keys on up.
Sunday, Sept 10 Took a break from hurricane-watching to create a ramp for the youngsters to use coming and going from their part of the roost box. Was pretty limited in my options, so considering, think it came out very well. Then, of course, there was the task of convincing the girls that it was a good idea.... (hmm.)
Friday, Sept 15, 2017 Earheart laid her first egg! (We got the 5 youngsters April 24th... how old does that make her?)
Mid-September - sudden sunflower jungle. Lackadaisical onions. Sunchokes and Maxamillians finally starting to bloom. And our neglected mums. Flower seeds planted in the cement block planters completely exceeded expectations. Bachelor's buttons in several colors, Zinnias, and the late addition of some orange Portulacas. The sweet potatoes in the garden proper are a splendid dense carpet. Tomatoes and peppers humming along. (We are still using the marvelous white onions from early summer.) Time to plant some garlic!
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