We couldn’t figure out where we could safely put the chickens, until I remembered the old stock trailer parked by our driveway. This made an adequate summer chicken coop, since it provided both shade and ventilation, as well as protection from predators. After their initial bewilderment, the three chickens relaxed enough to lay three eggs while they were here. They certainly had a lot more room than if we had kept them in the crate in the garage, which was our backup plan.
Quite a difference from the photo I took from the same spot six days ago. The Black Forest Fire is 75% contained as I post this. Our house guests have returned home.
Unfortunately, the area is still considered under severe drought, and it will take more than a couple of days of occasional showers to fix. We are supposed to be getting hotter and drier weather again in a day or so.
We are approximately due west of the fire, which is moving in a northeasterly direction. Three times I’ve evacuated horses to my friend’s place in South Black Forest. This afternoon we moved two of her horses here. Three went to another friend. We are also playing host to three refugee cats.
This is the fire we have dreaded for years in this area.
I swiped this photo from Jack, who took it last week. A small herd of elk has been hanging out near our house recently.
It’s pretty, but I really hope this was the last storm before next autumn.
This is a still from a video taken by my friend of two of her cats: Clown and Oxer. Clown got himself down safely without assistance.
One knows it’s foggy when one can see the fog in the courtyard.
We’re guessing Clown (above) and Cuddles (below) are relatives. Clown was born on my friend’s property, to a young female that had shown up out of nowhere. While waiting for the young (and very sweet) cat’s first heat to get her spayed, my friend realized that while she had missed the first heat, a tom obviously hadn’t. (Clown’s mother is now a very pampered mouser and barn cat east of here.) Cuddles showed up within the past year. He was a very aggressive tom, so my friend trapped him, had him vaccinated, then sent him off to the the low-priced clinic for “snip-snip.” Cuddles was either handled as a kitten, or gives the lie to the idea that you can’t domesticate a feral cat, because he pretty much lives up to his name these days. It’s hard to walk out to the barn without him throwing himself at your feet, soliciting attention. Cuddles lives outside, though he is trying desperately to get inside, while Clown is an inside-outside cat. Clown has apparently decided he wants to be friends. Time will tell what Cuddles thinks. (Taken with my iPad.)
