Sunday 30 June 2013

Kitties, birds, ticks, rainfall, flowers: it's JUNE!

cats to walk– Dorah takes a rest


Tick Report July 8th: 80

Dorah: 35; Daisy: 38; Buster: 4; Sadie: 1; Jenn: 2.
I've found 3 fleas.

It's been a heck of a week for us. I'm glad it is nearly over. We like our road trips, but we've been busy with one thing and another.

This retirement isn't for chumps!

The backyard calls me. There is lots to do.

There's been much rain lately. I am happy it fills up the dry wetland. There is no joy in the swamp without moisture.
We won't mention how prolific the mosquitoes
Robins to watch
are, as I can't complain about the cycle of life!
Mind you, I've harvested 80 ticks in the past three months. We check the cats, and ourselves, very carefully. I grab a piece of tape for the ticks that aren't yet attached, roaming around Dorah's face looking for a place to purchase. Dorah is the winner as she seems to be a tick magnet.
A friend paid her vet $200 to remove a fully-engorged tick. We know you have to get them out fast and early. You don't want them putting the Lyme Disease bacteria into its victim. You don't want to put goop on them, either, as they may discharge or throw up stomach contents on you.

The woodpecker was upset with the jays, grackles and red-wings on the feeder and chose the hummingbird feeder, instead!


Rainfall Data
There was 120 mm of rainfall in May.
This month we are doing well, too. The June 7th rain was remnants of Hurricane Andrew.



2013
Date rain in mm
1-Jun 9
2-Jun 1
6-Jun 4
7-Jun 30
9-Jun 1
10-Jun 49
11-Jun 9
16-Jun 37
26-Jun 16
28-Jun 44
TTL 200

Cosmos is blooming, too

poppy in full bloom



10 comments:

Anonymous said...

You are not kidding about the ticks. When I was a kid living in Vermont...30-45 years ago, we never worried about ticks because we never had them. Now that we just moved to the Great Salt Marsh in Massachusetts, I have to constantly do tick checks when I'm out. I from March through the end of May, I was picking up 2-3 ticks each time I went out.

eileeninmd said...

Great series, love the pretty flowers and the cute birds. Happy Weekend!

Anonymous said...

I can't stand ticks!
I like the picture of the woodpecker on the hummingbird feeder!

TexWisGirl said...

oh, the ticks sound awful!!!

Sallie (FullTime-Life) said...

You're so busy; I'm sure you must wonder how you ever found time to work (a regular job outside the home). I'm not phobic about bugs at all, but ticks are scary! Take care all of you (2 and 4 footed).

Kay L. Davies said...

The thought of ticks just makes me squirm, Jenn. We used to be taking them off our collie all the time when we lived in mountain country. Dad used a hot needle to remove the tick, head and all, but I've forgotten how to do it that way. I'm just hoping Lindy's vet can provide something to repel fleas and ticks before we go to BC, as we plan to visit the mountains as well as the coast.
Meanwhile, I always enjoy pictures of your cats and flowers.
Luv, K

Coloring Outside the Lines said...

We had ticks at the river...now that I am home, I have been bombed by the chiggars...if it's not one pesky pest, it's another...but ticks are just awful.

Anni said...

Watching the large woodpeckers on the small hummer feeders is a bit comical...but they sure can accomplish what they're after!

Excellent post.

Unknown said...

We seem to have more ticks than usual here too. I love your orange poppy.

Judy said...

I don't check myself and Annie for ticks, but likely I should... Jake can make it almost to the corner of the street now (maybe a 5 minute hobble), so he is not at risk.