The clouds finally took their leave, and today was truly glorious weather! I went out early to feed the birds, and a huge Great Blue Heron rose up out of the pond and settled briefly on the pasture fence. Of course, I didn’t have my camera. I heard galloping hooves as the horses saw the heron, and it lifted into the air and flapped away gently, conjuring its pterodactyl ancestor across the morning sky. There are 35 fish in our little pond, and while I am fond of them, we can spare a few for the heron. Circle of life, nature’s course…
Bart rested up in anticipation of Fred’s arrival, and roused himself when he heard the shoeing truck pulling in.
Fred somehow managed to do a beautiful job in between good laughs and political discussions, our favorite diversion.
Bart is up and ready for shoeing 
Fred sets Bart on fire! 
Stone is smokin’! 
Oisin has fresh shoes from last week, so he is a spectator today
Connie from Pond Crazy came to fix the pump. I was in the barn with Fred, but Harry took a picture to document the event. Connie worked her magic and the pump is quiet again, with the sound of running water all we hear.
I set myself a goal today to ride three horses. But I began to wonder – what is the difference between a goal and a list of things to do… ? Ah, well, mission accomplished.
The red azalea blazes in the front garden.
Mistletoe was sad that she didn’t have a picture on the blog yesterday, so I made sure to take one today…
Harry got a shot of Roscoe in a sunbeam…
I got another shot of Harry in the studio…
My friend, Betsy sent some bird pictures from her back yard. Wow! I aspire to get such pictures! These are three great shots.
Pileated Woodpecker (photo by Betsy Jacoby) 
Mockingbird (photo by Betsy Jacoby) 
Wren with a twig (photo by Betsy Jacoby)
With regard to birds here, I have some sad news. The bluebird house had nesting material cascading out of the opening yesterday, so I investigated. Something had broken the eggs in the nest. I am very sad about it. I cleaned out the house and hope they can regroup and try again. Fred thinks it might have been cowbirds. They are parasitic – they lay eggs in other birds’ nests. But whatever it was, it is a sad turn of events in the bird community here.
There is trouble everywhere tonight. Riots and looting in the cities. We are dismayed and depressed, but feel so lucky to be here, out of the way. Anxiety rises, and it’s time to meditate and stay calm. As I write this, a big, masked raccoon varmint stares in the window at me. And I missed another photo op.
Finally, also off the beaten path, our beloved Montana mule baby is thriving. Her ears are so big they are out of the picture!
Stay safe, stay well, stay away from crowds, stay calm.
need apicture of a cowbird, please. Gray? Unprepossessing looking ? I may have one in a nest on a front porch wooden column that some finches were using earlier.
Cowbirds are known to steal the nests of other birds. They are black/dark gray with brown heads. I think the females are lighter gray. Not very attractive.