More Stumping and Scenes

With the cooler weather and the fields eaten down, it was time to start the annual stump removal program. The horses watch to ensure that no grass is being destroyed. After two days, I was able to fill the trailer with stumps.

 There have been no bites for the free firewood, so I guess once the snow flies, I will have three large bonfires of firewood. Pity!

 The mattock makes short order of the stumps, provided that they are rotted up enough.

 Alpine: " No cutting up grass! I like to pick my own salad!"

 The yellow jackets are still swarming. They know their time is near.

 When they are stopped by the camera, it is amazing to see the patterns and colours .

 While cruising around the uncleared area, I did manage to find two choke cherry trees. There was not enough to do anything with this year, but if I open that area up a little and get more light in, then maybe choke cherry jelly is on the program for next year.

I have been feeling listless for the last couple of weeks and yesterday I decided to go back on my Vitamin D pills for the winter. I started with a triple dose and today, I feel better than I have for several months.

Fall is Getting Close!

Hundreds of these yellow jackets are swarming our cedar trees. It was like sitting in a cloud trying to focus the camera on one. This is a sure sign that fall is near. In fact, I took the snow blower out of the storage shed and put it in the garage, all ready to go. It even started on the first pull!

 There are also a few wasps mingling in with the swarm.

 This baby wood pecker was sitting in the tree enjoying the hum of the wasps and generally having a good restful morning. By the size of him, I am guessing he's from a second hatch.

All is pretty quiet on the home front, so I figure on going out and washing some windows. Blecht!