Crumbly Rainy Windy Acres

 There was a storm July 1st. I am really glad I cut the lawn before it all happened. Funny thing is, I wrote this the day before, and we had a similar storm on Thursday. 

We are grateful for all those who are helping with the results of the storm(s).  You feel so helpless.

The sunrise was deceiving. 

 It was terribly hot. 37℃ was its peak.

During the storm, it was horizontal rain and winds.

 

 

 The Gardepro showed the shingles flying off.

   

 I went out front and found where the shingles came from.

 

Ottawa had 118mm rain (4"). Here in Lanark County we only had 35 mm July 1st.  We've lost a few branches. That beautiful white pine tree out front. I found a couple of tick nymphs trying to move the branches. Just to add insult to injury.

I could see it coming...

And it hit. Lots of power outages.

Ottawa had 118 mm rain,
lots of flooding.

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UPDATE: Another storm July 2nd. We had another 44 mm. Fred's lower deck burrow was flooded. I hope they weren't in there. Our power went out for a couple of hours. Joe went to Smiths Falls and fetched us some dinner. Good man. 

The tree damage is significant. There are branches to clean up. 

This tree's branches landed in the front yard. I got myself two ticks trying to cut branches up. Lesson learned. 

The wind blew over the deer fence. Lots of the milkweed plants are leaning over.

The shed: 

I went out to check Barry's Aspen trees. Not good. There were two uprooted.

A spot of colour in the chaos.

Fred's burrow

In between storms s/he looked a little wet. 

Then the burrow flooded. I will be anxious to count them today. 

Summer flies by

The water fountain needed work. I always have to clean it halfway through summer. I took it apart. The deerflies were flying. I wore pants.

We've really hard water. There are always deposits that build up on the pump. I cleaned it out.

That looks a lot better!

Our milkweed has the first Monarch caterpillar I've spotted. The first one was July 27.

I found more! I spotted our one Monarch laying more eggs. They eat a hole once they hatch, which is a good sign. The leaves are covered in aphids, the wasps and ants eating the aphid poop. It doesn't seem to matter to the caterpillar, I think.

It's a good supply of milkweed. 

 

The Tiger Lilies are in full bloom.

The Cedar Waxwings zoom about, peeping their pipsqueak sounds, like a little squadron.

Float plane overhead:

Butterflies abound, Black Swallowtail, Monarchs!

Cinnamon was watching for mice friends. Fred was feeding. We haven't only seen Fred for the past few days. I am hopeful but not optimistic.

My veggies are limited this year. I have a couple of cucumbers. Cross your fingers.

 

We had a nice storm yesterday afternoon. There was smoke from the fires out west. It cleared the air. I took a panoramic photo for fun. 

We're on the edge of a storm today.