In a Robin's Nest (photos by Jon)

The work of a robin isn't done til the fledglings take off on their own. By then, parents often have another set of young ones to take care of. And I thought raising two boys was crazy! 

These first two photos were taken May 28. The babies were barely hatched. You can kind of see little open beaks in the second picture. And mom is much less harassed looking! 

 This one was taken during a very hot evening, June 1, -about the time we had some thunderstorms. Mom's panting on the nest, protecting the little ones. Her nest is high in a lilac, but fairly exposed to the elements.

 Waiting to be fed. Jon shot all of these pictures this last weekend (June 7). The babies are larger now and about ready to fledge. They can jump from the nest about 13 days after hatching. The next week is the toughest. They can't fly well, need fed by the parents, and are at their most vulnerable. I'm afraid the neighbor cats are going to enjoy fledglings in a short while. We try to chase the cats away, but 24 hours a day in 10 or 15 (til they youngsters are strong flyers) is a lot of unseen hours for neighbor cats to wander by.

 It is almost like she's teaching them how to fly, but Jon really probably just caught the mom as she was getting ready to forage some more. Baby robins eat a lot and both parents feed them. A robin can make 100 trips to the nest to feed babies each day!!

 They are very well camouflaged in this lilac nest!

I got the information on robins NOT on my favorite All About Birds site, but on one about American Robins. If you follow the link, you can find even more fun facts. Also that if one does fall from the nest, before it is ready to jump, it can be put back carefully. I didn't realise "robins identify their babies the way we humans recognize ours-by sight and sound, not by smell. So if you can safely put the babies back in the nest, go ahead!"

Hiking with Guns 1

Eastern Oregon Blue Mountain squirrel are picturesque. Especially in a rainy woods- Because it was so wet, Jon took quite a few forest photos. 

It also snowed above the guys and both decided it was a cold way to hunt. 

Jon went out again on Monday. Steve worked. Jon got his deer and Tony celebrated from afar with a couple of quips. The first one is rather apt since Jon actually discovered the deer he was watching was a buck duo sitting in the tall grass and brush. After Jon shot the nearer deer, the other sort of stood around and then wandered off. Jon really wished his dad had been there! 

Jon dragged it across the grasses with a four wheeler and then got it into a trailer (I think this is how the story goes. However, I'm sure he'll tell anyone who asks!) 

He got it out of the trailer with Bob. Definitely a good use of different sorts of tools and truly a Red Green sort of handiness..without the duct tape! 

 This sunset is from a couple of days BEFORE deer season, but it always good to end with one.

 

Flour and a New Year

Be at War with your Vices, at Peace with your Neighbours, and let every New-Year find you a better Man. ~Quoted in Benjamin Franklin's 1755 Poor Richard's Almanack, December 

Tony had suggested adding assorted ingredients to make colors, but Jonathan stuck with basic aged flour. Flour I tossed out after finding it in my cupboard when arriving home after two years. I wasn't sure how good it would be for baking, but it fired well. My own photos from New Year's Eve were not as clear as the ones Jon took off of the video he shot on New Year's Day, so I used his. I also found several creatures inside his flames, which he thought was a bit silly~ I reckon he'll not end up as a Firework Maker's child! He also told me the objects near the flames are not as close as they appear. 

Enjoy and imagine! 

Hiking with Guns- First Foray

Jonathan took all of these photos on the first foray up to the ranch on the first weekend of deer season. Nary a deer, but great scenery. As usual!!! 

Jon was intrigued by the odd shapes the trees had. Probably from the winter snows bending them over. 

Steve out in the grasses. 

             
                 

 A sudden storm came up while they were out on Sunday evening. Jon said, 'It looked like it was heading toward the ranch, but it veered off and followed the Umatilla upriver." They were a bit concerned as they watched rain and lightening come towards them, but they didn't get wet and the photos are rather awesome! You can see the layers of clouds and sky and earth.

 Jon got a new scope. He was attempting to photograph a bird thru it. Jon told me, "It {this scope} is a bit more complicated than the last one." The other photos are random pictures  he sent.

 Sunset on Monday night. They didn't get the chance to get out and hunt during the week this year, but there is one last weekend left. Steve is taking the Mercury to the annual Harvest Fair car show and will join Jon later.