27 through 30

Admittedly, I haven't worked all that hard on photographing my yardbirds this year.  Lots of reasons.  But today there was such a flurry of activity around the garden that I had to try to capture some yearly records.  My pick for the Main Event today is this Red-eyed Vireo, a bird more often heard than seen as they males sing continuously; throughout the entire breeding season.  In Extra is an Eastern Phoebe sitting on our new fence, a Blue-headed Vireo, and a slightly fuzzy shot of a Black throated Green Warbler.  There were also 2 hummingbirds, ravens overhead, and what appeared to e a Savannah Sparrow.  The groups moved through quickly, snatching insects out of the trees and then moving on.  The second group that came through probably had 20-25 birds in it so I am sure there were more species that I just didn't see.  Anyway, it was fun.

This morning, in a light drizzle, the fencing contractor rolled up with two employees and they set to work.  By 1 Pm they were gone, the fence finished.  We have to let the cement cure for 48 hours so we won't let Jax loose in it yet, but it is such a relief to have it done!  We went with a very basic black chain link, 4 feet high with three gates.  It will serve our purposes well and kind of blends into the woods nicely.  

Jax has been at day care all day as we knew if we didn't take him somewhere he'd  be at the window barking the entire time the guys worked on the fence.  One of his new playmates was there today so we know he will be getting some good exercise and fun.

I'm deep into looking at flights to South Africa now as the details of the trip arrived via email last night.  There really isn't an easy way to get to Durban from here so I'm reconciled to it taking a day and a half, roughly.  

RA pain better today, happily.  And I am going for plain dark today.

xo
Debbi