Good morning everyone and Happy Sunday! It is a beautiful summer morning again, but also very smoky still. There were 115 forest fires burning as of last night, the number keeps climbing. Several new fires have started up about 25 to 30 miles away from our town, but they are all small fires though only one is under control. The largest is 75 acres now which is still in the small category. But because it’s not under control it’s a fire to watch.

The largest fire in our northwest region is now nearly 300,000 acres, with others over 200,000 acres as well. And a lot of the fires are between 50,000 and 150,000 acres in size. Once they get that big, they grow quickly. One thing that has helped is having no wind at night and only a light wind during the day. The gulls were late for their breakfast this morning, I was beginning to wonder if they would come at all, but they finally showed up just a short time ago.

The chipmunks have been very busy, and Slim has been here too. Once I was outside while a chipmunk was getting his peanuts and Slim showed up, but I pointed my finger at Slim and said no, so he stayed still and didn’t chase the chipmunk. After the chipmunk left I told Slim he could come and get a peanut, which he did and ran off with it. Another time I just spoke through the window and Slim stopped so the chipmunk was able to leave without being chased.

Poor Slim, he was looking around to see where I was. But just hearing my voice stopped him anyway. The crows have their young ones around now, just two this year. They lost their first nest to the ravens so had to try again, that’s why only two babies this year. Those little guys, well not so little, are certainly noisy, constantly squawking for food as they sit up in the birch tree. It’s a beautiful summer morning! Have a wonderful day everyone and God bless!

Steve and Muffin. (top featured image is the wild white onion beginning to bloom)

©2021 Steve McLeod.