Early this morning, as I was putting out the bird feed, I met this little guy enjoying the bird bath, though he is not a bird.
A Common Gray Treefrog (that is actually the name)
Later in the morning, we had other visitors to the back porch who were not birds.
Tom Morris (common orange cat) 
Squirrel Nutkin (common rodent)
For the horses, another day of rest was brought on by thunder to the south and thunder to the north. I am a coward about riding in bad weather. I have been known to jump off my horse and run back to the barn on foot so as not to attract lightning with steel shoes. Of course, I am leading the horse as I run, so probably no safer…
No complaints from Bart – he loves resting! 
The Crouchers are also fond of resting
At any rate, the bad weather skirted us this morning, so I did get some outdoor work done, and took some bird pictures. There were three pileated woodpeckers, but I couldn’t get them all in one frame.
First order of business – kill hornworms. 
Yippee! Hornworm bodies on the lawn! 
Two pileated woodpeckers (note cardinal reflected in the glass) 
Woodpecker # 3
Harry had to have a basal cell carcinoma removed from his head. I drove, and off we went to St. Luke’s. It was a frightening drive. There were curtains of rain, massive downpours all of a sudden, and then nothing. At one point, we could not see anything through the windshield, briefly. I was cursing and complaining, but we survived the trip. Poor Harry had his head burned while I waited in the hall waiting area (social distancing) recovering my nerves. He was braver about the pain and stench of burning than I was about driving, which wasn’t hard to do.
Since we were across the river, we went to Whole Foods for some treats. We got home in time for more rain here. Harry went to work in the studio for a while.
Something is not quite right here… 
Nettie worries about storms more than I do! 
Harry’s damaged head 
Let’s have a drink! (Note self portrait sketch by daughter Anne on the wall)
The horses were able to go out early, since it was cool and rainy. Later, the skies opened up and drenched them. They didn’t seem to mind. The rain gauge read one and a half inches already today as the sun went down.
The skies are threatening this evening, but there was sunshine this morning, and there will be sunshine again. Chin up, as pileated woodpecker # 3 reminds us…
Stay safe, stay well, be brave (but wear a mask and social distance). Also, laugh.
It’s great to read about you, Harry and all the lovely creatures that surround you, and a special “shout out” to those “Crouchers!”
Wow I love your woodpeckers! #3 looks like a youngster remembering better times when food simply dropped in to that upraised beak. Some amazing engineering, woodpeckers. We are grateful that Northern Michigan is back to chilly evenings and powerful sunny days. We might even be getting a new roof soon, yippeeee! Tink is doing lots of stroller rides. Lots of laughter here, even though we often feel like the lone mask-wearers. Stay safe and be well.
I remember a thunderstorm at Bridlespur horse show in April, and you running with Marilyn’s Saddlebred mare!
That was a particularly scary storm, Janis. I remember it well. Only one correction, Marilyn’s Saddlebred is a gelding (though a very refined one). She still has him – Chilly Willy! He’s an older gentleman now. Glad we all survived that storm! Bridlespur (now Blue Heron) has had some doozies.
not a coward but smart! I rode through a storm last week (it was such a relief from the heat!) only to find out the next day two cows on the property were killed by lightening in that storm – I think I came in before the worst of it but I cut it too close for sure!
ACK!!! Jana, that does not help my anxiety level! I am so glad you survived. Jane’s lovely Selle Francais mare, Iris, was sold to a woman who had TWO broodmares hit by lightning in one incident. They were not wearing steel shoes, and I would imagine the cows were barefoot, too. So scary!
We in Lexington Ky need rain! I envy you all and the rain, although stormy rain. Love the Blue Jay pic! And your humor, “common orange cat” “common rodent.” Gave me a much needed good laugh. Time to go to the barn! Come on Etta, let’s go!