Jane decided to give Derry today off, so she came over here and rode Oisin. It is always fun to ride the Pearl Brothers together. It was another cool morning, so we had to go out to the field and drag the horses in to ride. And we did see the first horse fly today, alas. Soon the horses will be begging to come in.
We were walking along, having a lovely morning ride, when Oisin saw a deer and leapt halfway across the hayfield. Jane still has great reflexes and was soon back on track! Bart was so amazed, he hardly spooked at all.
Oisin & Jane shortly after a deer spook 
Back on the trail again
After riding, it’s time for breakfast with Harry. Roscoe was enjoying the morning sunshine. Then he yawned, opening his frightening maw, ruining the peaceful scene.
Peaceful Roscoe 
Horror movie Roscoe
Nathaniel arrived to help install a new main gate by the barn. Long ago, Oisin tried to jump the gate in one of his youthful fits of impatience. He did not succeed in clearing the gate, but he did bend it and damage it, and over the years it has deteriorated until this week, when it actually broke and became dangerous. The new gate is red, but very stout and a huge improvement. Had I attempted to do this project myself, I would still be out there working. Nathaniel (with my observation and minimal help) accomplished it in an hour!
Puttering around the place, doing this and that, I met up with this toad. I feel so lucky to have toads around. Hard to see in the picture, but a handsome specimen.
Not so hard to see is Cora, getting a drink at the birdbath. I didn’t bother with pictures of Marmalade today, but he was right on time for breakfast and dinner. Licorice seems to like him!
Another visitor to the bird bath, and a handsome specimen of a rodent…
And then, my favorite photo subject arrived. I thought this would be the day I might get an “in flight” shot. Pileated – from the Latin pileatus, meaning “capped”. I got many shots, thinking I might get lucky, but… not yet. The mission will continue.
Pileated Woodpecker 
Stretching his wing 
Wing stretch 
Preparing to fly 
Lift off !! 
Missed it again…
And finally, Rainy, the Montana mule baby is growing up, but still adorable.
Ears too big to fit! 
Coming in for a closeup
Stay safe, stay well.
Wow, so close on the woodpecker, nice! Have you ever tried the burst shot on the iPhone? It might catch him. Way to stay in the tack Jane! Oisin appears to be properly chastened and submissive upon his return to domestic horse duties🙂 Enjoy.
I was using the burst setting, Linda! I have trouble with focus, because they move so quickly, but my theory is that they jump into the air (a shot I got thanks to burst), then “fall” as they take flight. They drop so quickly, I lose them, then they rise again, but by then they are out of range.
Well OK then, just an idea—now that I am a new IPhone user haha! I cannot imagine getting close enough to one to take its picture in any posture! The wildlife we do have here are very wild. Catching/killing wildlife is popular local entertainment. Yes, I can see how following them on a phone screen would be hard!
Oh, I am not using an iPhone, Linda! I am using a fancy DSLR Nikon that I bought used from Jane. I could never get close ups of birds like that with my phone, though I understand the iPhone11 has a great camera. Mine is an older one. Some of my blog pictures (especially riding) are iPhone shots, but I use the Nikon a lot. Thank you, Jane!
Our wildlife is becoming increasingly tame here. An indication that we are not really in the “country” anymore.
You are giving us a closer account of the woodpecker than I would ever have. His wings are beautifully colored. And his feet and legs have got to be so strong because of his flight behavior. Nathaniel has some serious skills. Rainey is growing so quickly.