Summer storm

Last night when we came outside to put the chickens to bed and take fly masks off the horses, the sun had already set and everything was bathed in golden light. A huge rainbow was overhead and we were surrounded by thunderstorms. Dan took some stills and also this short video.

Towards the end you will see a ladderback woodpecker appear who pops into the hole in the agave stalk where he was hatched. So cool!

If you have a device that does not support Flash (shame on Apple), you can also see the video here https://vimeo.com/103447745. What a gorgeous time of year.

Hummers on the move

August is the month for the hummingbird migration, and it is when we see the largest number of hummers in the year. There are always some around, with only one or two during the winter, but I am filling feeders every day now. Most abundant are the black-chinned, but during migration we also have the rufous hummingbird. They are small birds, but what they lack in size they make up for in feistiness. We call them "Rufio" (as in the movie Hook - how I will miss Robin Williams).

The rufous travel the furthest of all hummers: they breed in Alaska and spend the winter in South America. Such an amazing little bird. No wonder he monopolizes the feeder: he needs the calories.

A doggone good time (by Emma)

This morning we met our friend Mary, who lives with my half sisters, at the Cochise Stronghold for a short walk and a dip.

Who is coming? Is it Mary with Emily and Claire? Oh, yes!

We ran up and down the trail.

Took a dip in the creek. We got nice and wet.

We all ate grass, and some of us threw up.

I really like going out with them. We all had a wonderful time.