A little less dapper

The breeding season for most of our birds is over now and many of the adult birds look like they've been through a war.  Not only have they raised, in the case of the cardinals, multiple broods, but they are also molting now. This all makes for some pretty scruffy birds.  I think that the cardinals and blue jays always fare the worst, probably because they molt the feathers on their crests.  Anyway, I thought it would be a fun comparison to show him now and again in a few months when he will look all shiny and new.

We finally got some much-needed rain which started overnight and continued at a steady pace all morning.  I'm hoping that it was enough to perk my mountain mint up again and to ensure that the New England Asters bloom.  Because of the lack of rain and higher than normal temps, a lot of our native wildflowers have either died or gone to seed already which puts the pollinators in peril. We will have bees and butterflies and hummingbirds needing nectar and pollen all the way through first frost in October, so...

Jax has been remarkably good today.  He really doesn't like the rain so a walk was out of the question.  Instead, we played some fetch in the house and a little training work.  He irritated the cats when they came downstairs, wanting to get all up in their business with sniffing and licking.  They don't like that.  Then, when Hubs left his office for a few minutes, Jax found something that had accidentally dropped on the floor and ripped it up. But overall, he's been good.  

I released two lovely monarchs today for the mothers of a two friends of mine.  More coming tomorrow, so do let me know if you want me to send one on it's way in someone's memory.  I keep an ongoing list so it's easy to make dedications.

Well, speaking of Jax, he's waking up now and ready to engage in his evening shenanigans.  He just threw his bone at me, always a sign that he's ready to be entertained.  

Mom and dad sent a new batch of dark delight this way and I tried maple glazed pecans in dark chocolate - oh, yes...!!!

xo
Debbi