This baby swallow did not know enough to be afraid of me. I have become a fan of swallows since being here. They have to rank with hummingbirds at being fast and adept in the air. They can transfer food from one to another in mid-flight. At dusk here, they start weaving in and out catching insects in the air.
The last week or so has seen cooling temperatures, probably down 10 degrees from most of August. With the cooling, the swallows have become much less visible. They are gone from the telephone wires and sunning themselves on the sides of the buildings.
A couple of clear, cold nights caused the farmers to put large water jets in place in case it got close to freezing. Luckily, the cloud cover returned last night and the temperatures were warmer.
Another sign of the change in season, it’s hunting season. The Skagit Gun Club either owns or rents a number of farming lots within a mile of where I’m at. I heard the first shots yesterday. A man got in a ATV with a gun and not much later I heard the shots. Luckily, most ducks I’ve seen in this area take off when they see people. Also, the Department of Fish and Game are nearby and can keep an eye on hunters to insure they are following the rules.
Just recently, a 14-year-old boy in Concrete, Washington shot and killed a woman hiker while out hunting for bear with his 17-year-old brother. He had taken a class on hunting with a gun (when he was 9-years-old) and thus it was legal for him to hunt without adult supervision. His trial is just starting.
A heron by a farming channel. The heron’s here are just like the ducks in flying off when they see people. Pretty sure it is illegal to hunt herons though.
There are wild blackberries all over this area. Also have noticed the above red “pod”. Not sure what it is.
