The summer birds are leaving….gradually one group by another is flying away from our farm to locals further south.
The Robins left early, going in sometime in July. Then the Orioles emptied the the sugar feeds and left. I have not seen a Western Meadowlark for ever so long; the blackbirds swooped down into the feeders early one morning then took off in a cloud. I will have to wait until spring to see and hear them again. 🙂
It won’t be long before the Swallows fly. The last of the babies are ready to fledge any moment. I hope I can capture the ‘gathering’ as they swoop and settle on the electric wires waiting for all the other swallows to gather with them.
So far the Hummingbirds are still here. I am so glad! They bring me joy as they buzz and hum while I weed and water.
Then one day last week the owls came back….singing their night songs as they hunted for mice in the fields. The crows and raves are letting me know they are here also and they really DO like black sunflower seeds.
Fall has arrived.
The trees are starting to sport yellow mixed in among the green, the weeds are turning woody and going to seed even if they are only ankle high…they know. Time is running out.
My garden is still blooming well, the seeds have not started appearing. Which is good. I’m not ready for winter.
Today the little girls are going to have a sleep over—the schools in Delta start on Wednesday, but the schools in Craig don’t start until next Monday. There is much sadness as this leaving. So in a great burst of compassion I asked if they would like to have one best friend each to spend the night tonight. (I hope this Grammy is up to it) I will take the best friends home sometime after lunch tomorrow.
Wish me luck, it’s been a mighty long time since I’ve had sleep over’s at our house. Can you just hear it now….chattering until Mid-night…lots of giggles and whispers!
Your friend,
Linda
Life on a Colorado Farm 
Winter will be hard on your heart this year. Maybe you should be planning trips to see the G’kids once the crops are in. I hope they can come home for Christmas. ((((HUGS))))
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love your hummers. good luck with the sleepovers!
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All the best grannies suggest sleepovers Linda – and they will remember it for ever. Lovely post -our birds are beginning to gather too and the leaves are turning. As we say here – it is getting very backendish.
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I know you’ll do fine. Sounds like fun….
Same is happening here with fall arriving,although we still have robins. Warblers are coming through and many species are already gone.
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I hope you survive the sleep-in tonight. You may not get much sleep, but it should be lots of fun, We still have several hummingbirds around our feeders. They really like the Canna lilies you gave us as well.
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Grandma sleepovers are the best! Our hummingbirds are still here in full force but I keep on reminding my mom & daughter to enjoy them now as it is quickly coming to an end. 😦
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You are doing a good job. With everything. {{{hug}}}
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What a nice Grandmother you are. You will miss all of those giggles once they are gone. BUT—I’m sure those precious grands will come back often to keep up with the farm, you all and their friends…. You and they will be fine.
Glad your hummingbirds are still there. I love to hear them when they flit around my head going from one thing to the next… My problem is that I cannot get a photo of them!!!! Maybe I need to place all of my hummingbird feeders near each other. My three are spread out all around the house.
Welcome to Fall. We are having some signs here too.
Hugs,
Betsy
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Gammy, you are up to it (cuz you can rest later) and it will be a blast those girls will remember forever! Have fun and enjoy 🙂
Not. Fall. Yet.
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Sheesh! You are brave. Sleepovers are exhausting. Our summer has been cool and short too. My tomatoes are taking forever to ripen because it has only been in the low 80’s (not complaining!)
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You will love every second of it.
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Not till Sept 21 🙂
I had to take drastic measures so my little ones could build energy for their trip south and the Orioles are still here and their containers of sugar water were being covered and drained by yellow jackets 😦 so I cut open a jug added some sugar and some apple cider vinegar and water shock well and added a banana peel 🙂 gut a small hole so the bees could fly in and not get back out we had a bad smarm here due to the sugar water do you get bees all over yours?
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Ah, early fall here as well. Noooooooooooo! The Canadian Geese are do their practice flying with their young…..teaching to fly in the V formation with lots of talking. Robins are still here and, of course, the Jays that stay all year. Crows are coming in and gathering in a large flock. But the best news is that the pair of Sandhill Cranes have finally raised a baby and have been giving flying lessons. First just a few feet off the ground, and now higher up. First short bursts and now longer flights. First fledgling in 7 years that the coyotes havn’t gotten I am so NOT ready for winter. Such fun with the grands and a sleepover. Take lots of pictures and let us see, too.
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Love your pictures! Yes, our backyard is getting quieter here too with our regular bird customers gone…there are a few hints of reds and oranges creeping in and some yellow leaves appearing. It’s been a very cool summer here and it’s gone so fast. You’ll be lucky if the chatting only goes on until midnight at that slumber party! Have fun!
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The robins are gone from here too. The black birds are packing up. The quail are starting to come around more. It’s fun to watch the animals and the changing of the seasons.
Have fun with the sleepover! Movies and popcorn!
Cheri
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I am sure the sleepover will be enjoyed by all. Enjoy the “now”, as tomorrow will come soon enough. With a bit of luck the business of harvest will help to make the change less. My daughter’s move has been less hurtful than I thought it would be – Skype is amazing! You are in my heart.
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Giggles are the best sounds ever. And I’m sure there will be some sugary snacks to turn up the volume. Have fun!
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Great pictures of the hummers, I have been very lax in keeping my feeders full for them.
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I haven’t seen many signs of fall yet. 😃😃😃. So not ready to any think about it.
You will definitely sleep good after a fun night with the grand kids!!!
We are headed home today for a couple days. Joining Seth up at college for a parents meeting/tour/kickoff. 5 1/2 hrs drive. Then a day at home to take care of whatever business needs done when we get there. We need a small break from the dust that wheat straw baling stirred up. 😊
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The sleepover will be fun. I guess I should get ready to host the birds coming down from the mountains to spend winter in the warmer valley. I’m just not ready for fall or winter.
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As always, such beautiful pictures. The hummers are so pretty. Winter is around the corner and winter brings a season to rest up for spring. For me it is also crafting time, but I will muss he warm days of summer.
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I felt fall in the air yesterday morning too. That crispness and I am ready. Your hummers are super amazing – our migration was small and short this year and we have one hummer left using the feeders and soon he will be gone too :-(.
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Already? So soon? Where did summer go? There is glory in the fall too, so enjoy the last weeks of summer.
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