Still competing for presidence

The front yard standout, hands down, is a cluster of Asiatic lillies that continues to flaunt its color scheme as well as its fragrance. This bunch bursts out the beginning of July each year and dazzles passers-by until, well, until about now, in spite of the heat and neighborhood water-rationing. Alway hate seeing the petals begin their seasonal cascade.

Soaking up the cool

Late morning and the heat index is climbing. So what do you do? Soak up as much fresh air as possible, in as cool a spot as you can find, before Bellingham temps hit 80 degrees or more for another day.

Boys gotta have their toys

A week into Casey's recovery and the boy is well on his way to catching a Frisbee again. The doctor's orders were to keep high activity on the down-low - no running, jumping, etc, etc. And so far so good. The incision looks great and you'd never know that he ever had surgery, a week and a half ago. So you know what, he deserves a reward, and nothing tops a new stuffed toy.

In fact this latest addition to his pile of Asian imported stuffed animals hasn't left his side for a couple of days.

  

Post-op

Waiting at Happy Pooch

What a week! But the dust has finally settled after an unsettling encounter with a tumor discovered while being groomed by Melissa at Happy Pooch Styling and Spa three weeks ago. Long story short, Melissa was concerned about a subcutaneous lump in his groin that we might never have never noticed, that is until she gave him his summer haircut and found it. On her advise we took him to Fairhaven Veterinary Clinic that very same afternoon, and surgery to remove a suspicious tumor was successfully performed this week.

Well, the patient has been on the mend and is doing well. The mass was atypical and removing it was a good move. And the lab report for the tissue...benign. 

Not much sleep this week, needless to say, but we'll be back to normal soon. Casey is still adjusting to his new accessory, a post-op collar to keep him from exploring the incision. But now, following doctor Kris Johnson's orders to keep him fairly inactive for two weeks - no running, Frisbee, and on a leash - is the real challenge.

Rufus dilemma

Our resident rufus hummingbirds have been presented with a dilemma this week. The vibrant lucifers are bursting out almost within a beak's length from the liquid feeders. They love their one-to-one water/sugar troughs but the enticing flame-red blooms of the crocosmias have been irresistible.   

Doubling our honey crisp apple crop in one year!

Honey crisp apple #1

Honey crisp apple #2

Incredible. In just one year Victoria doubled her organic apple crop! 

The sky's obviously the limit in 2016.

And it looks like Casey couldn't be happier.

Making the rounds at the Farmers Market

The Saturday routine in the summer includes a scouting trip to the Bellingham Farmers Market, checking out everything from local artisans to in-season produce.

Unfortunately, the kid always has to be satisfied with a walk around the perimeter for his people watching. Casey's all right with that even though we still think Border Collies ought to be exceptions to the rule. 

But the crowd inside today was way more hustle and bustle than laid back and by the time we were done with the fringes, the shady backseat of the car was looking pretty good to Case.

Still laying low

When Casey obsesses near a shrub or bush this week he's got his eyes on the last surviving robin chick, maturing on the run with the help of her parents, who ward off crows, jays, and even give Casey an earful if he gets too close.

The chick has been showing up down low in the ground cover and higher up in hydrangeas. With survival skills clicking he's been showing up each morning in spite of the odds. 

So far so good. Our cute little guy, with a few breaks, just might make it through this week. Stranger things have happened.

Taking flight/flutter

Survivor 1

Exactly 13 days after they hatched two chicks were left standing, or falling/fluttering from the nest. All that remained were pieces of two hatchlings, evidently done in during the night by whatever critter does that sort of thing, before the parents could chase them off. It's a tough world out there.So for now, according to the county Wildlife Rehabilitation Center, our chicks will be hanging around the backyard until they take flight for good.  

Survivor 2

In the meantime we get our deck back. Of course when we venture out on the grass the new parents will be keeping close eyes on us, and of course Casey. He was actually nose to beak with the first chick to exit the nest, in a Border Collie crouch, just trying to help. 

So we can add robin fledglings to the kid's list of "herdees," which also includes Stella and an occasional chipmunk.

Papa robin keeping a watchful eye

   

Quick checkup

Hanging around a veterinary clinic waiting room, not one of Casey's favorite preoccupations. In fact we usually wait in the car until the last minute before bringing him inside. He's definitely not a tugger or pacer, but he can't just sit around, usually jumping up a seat next to ours - or higher - to pass the time. 

And today, why would he stop there?

I'm fine right here, thanks.

 The window ledge was obviously the reassurance he needed.

So much for morning on the deck

With temperatures starting to inch up, eventually hitting nearly 80° today, the kids have obviously had enough of coffee on the deck. 

Beyond cute, really

Just over a week now and our porch chicks are no less demanding, and now showing signs of progressing through that "so-ugly-they're cute" stage. In the meantime their beleaguered parents have been fending off crows and delivering worms every waking hour. That empty-nest syndrome has got to be looking good about now.

Long day, kiddo

Golden overgrowth

Just eleven days from the May 17th post about our buttercup invasion.  The overgrowth is now chest high in areas, with Casey occasionally getting swallowed up during his excursions.  Amazing.

Newbies come through in the "clutch"

Big day today. We knew something was going on in the robin clutch. Mama was in and out all day, and Papa was no longer scarce, showing up on the fence and yard. So...I took a peek. Inquiring minds needed to know, and the new mom hadn't seemed to mind us being up close and personal so far. And whaddaya know...

Three chicks. At least three so far...I didn't want to hang around or be too intrusive. 






And Casey was pretty excited about it as anyone can see, as well as plainly hear in the video clip.

Good morning, little Mama.

Don't mind us, girl. We're just passing through, and we'll try to keep the noise to a minimum.

One week down

Four American robin eggs (bottom of mirror)

Just an update to our Sunday post on the robin roost

So, all's well, and Mama Robin seems OK with her current nesting situation, in such close proximity to a loud collection of cohabitants.  We thought she'd be long gone after Casey burst out of the back door one time or barked to be let back in.

One week down, one to go before the fledglings appear.

Golden meadow invasion

Right on schedule, and seeming to arrive almost overnight, our neighborhood meadows, even lawns, are flush with golden carpets of buttercups. This brilliant Northwest version, the Creeping buttercup, is one of many welcome additions to Bellingham's many emerging wildflower mosaics.

Sunday songbird serendipity

Well, this is a first. Of all the potential roosts available among our yard's shade trees, a feathered family is now being raised on Casey's back porch. Obviously the parents' peril meters didn't register the first indication of a threat.

We first noticed this robin's unperturbed brooding when Casey and Stella seemed to be preoccupied at the back windows with something going on outside. And today, instead of the new mom taking flight, she let us get a good look at her as she stepped out to stretch her legs.

Now, with another month to go before the fledglings leave our deck for good, it looks like the newness could already be starting to wear off, at least as far as Casey is concerned.

Favorite Friday Harbor photo

Keeping an eye on Vic