Birthdays, Squirrels and Birds

Quote of the day:
“After years of unusual work in exotic places, I realize that it is not how far off I go or how deep into the forest I walk that gives my life meaning.”
--Maria Fadiman

We’re off shortly to pick up the cake for Merrie’s big day tomorrow. She feels like it’s time for her to drive by herself, but I’m not sure. She is walking the dog in the neighborhood by herself each afternoon. It’s going well, except for the times Sophie simply must chase a cat and yanks at the leash. Merrie has had to let go a couple times. Sophie has yet to catch a cat.

This morning we watched as the dog chased a squirrel across our patio. Score: rodent 1, German Shepherd mix 0. Not even close. A couple of ground squirrels have taken up residence in our backyard, and Sophie has taken on the task of closely monitoring them.

The migratory birds may be arriving. There was a beautiful yellow-orange Bullock’s Oriole roosting in one of the trees this morning. It had a sort of Lone Ranger mask. And it was alone.

Yesterday there was a pair of hawks doing a call and response. One was in our backyard and the other was down the canyon a ways.

Merrie has refilled the feeders and the birdbath. The feeders are close to our house under dense tree cover. The birds are pleased, and I think the hawks can’t see it.