Laura and Alex Go Country

 Laura drove Alex out to attend a skating camp at Miami University in Oxford.  When the camp concluded we adjourned to the farm.  Laura liked the zero turn.

 Alex was an able farm hand - helping with the harvest.

 I think that I planted some delicata squash. I thought that's what these yellow bumpy things were.  Upon further review, these ornamental gourds were harvested too early.  But the zucchini is doing well.

 The Ranger throttle (idle) issues were solved this week. I don't really know what was done.  I read about issues with the IAC - maybe that was it.

The sunflowers are close with a few of them blooming.

 Alex found this turtle remnant.  The shell was broken in half and the turtle body is long gone.  I don't think that a predator would do that.  My theory is the brush-hog got it and the scavengers have cleaned it out.

 The pond has not improved.

Still lots of butterflies. We've been seeing monarchs, swallowtails, and others that I can't identify.  There was a hummingbird at the dining room window this morning.

The one foodplot that I planted in a legume mix has some beans and peas showing.  But it has a lot more Johnson grass and pigweed.

 I decided it was time to go.  I'll prep it for a fall planting.

 When mowing it, a buck stood up 10 yards in front of the tractor and ran out of the field.

 The weeds were well fed and happy.

 Sunflower strip in the main field.

 Next week should be prime time.

 Just enough rain last week.

 The pumpkin patch is happy right now.  I got the rototiller out but there weren't a lot of places where it could go.

 The vines are running,  Now it's down to hand weeding and this is where I lose the race.

 Not much evidence left of that deer block that I put out last week.

Touring.  Alex wasn't impressed with the cobwebs in the woods.

 We toured again Sunday so there will be more shots on the cards next week.

 What happened to the block?  First the crows came.

 Then turkeys.

The deer did get some.

And the groundhog.

Turkeys again.

Mom and fawn.

 Coyotes are out and about.

 Wonder what spooked her?

Bachelor party.

Mutant Jr.

Fawn back there.

 These are sunflowers too.

And a possum.

Meat Allergy Due to a Tick Bite

Most people are aware that Lyme disease is caused by a tick bite.  There are actually lots of nasty things that may be associated with tick bites but one that I've been hearing more and more about is meat allergy.  There is a condition that is created in certain people following certain tick bites where the person develops severe allergies to basically all red meat.  It can be so severe as to cause anaphylactic shock.  The condition may continue for life or may diminish with time.

Anyway, the New York Times has written a very comprehensive article on the current state of understanding about this condition and it's potential links or insights into other allergic conditions.  I'm always a little reluctant to post NYT links because I'm never sure if you will need a subscription to access the article.  But here it is NYT on Lone Star Ticks and Meat Allergy

While we're on the subject of ticks, here's another link that has a lot of info on ticks and can provide help on identification etc.  U of RI Tick Encounter

Here's another tick related article that I just saw.  Risk of Lyme Disease after a Bite

Gorongosa National Park

I previously mentioned a book that I read about this park in Mozambique.  It profiled an American philanthropist, Greg Carr, who worked to re-establish this park.  Here's the book.  White Man's Game

Anyway, today I came across this article in the NYT describing some of the recent activities there.  Interesting.  Nature's Renewal

In case there is any difficulty accessing the NYT link, here's the same article on a different website The Independent on NYT Article

We've Got Rain

 The last contingent of grandkids left town this week but I still had photos on the trailcams.

 They helped me celebrate a birthday before they left for home.

 One of my gifts was a customized birdhouse.

 And a new elk target that I managed to christen.

 The target stand is going to need a refresh soon.

 I got 3 shots in with each rifle from 190 yards before the rain chased me in.  I dinged iron each time.

 I had this in the rain gauge on arrival.  More on the way.

 The pumpkin patch was wet and the vines are running.

 This side is the later planting.

 I put on the rubber boots and waded in to harvest a few zucchini.

I don't remember planting these.  Are they delicata squash?  Ready to harvest?

Lots going on in the prairie plot.

 Sunflowers in the main field are getting close.

The sunflowers in the barn field are being browsed pretty heavily.

Here's one of the culprits in action.

We lost one of our grand-puppies this week.  Here's Leo during one of his visits to the farm. Playing fetch in heaven now.

When I opened the barn door there was a bird flying around in there.  Later I found this under the door.

On my way out.  I was racing the storm clouds to get the gate closed and locked.

 I had to pick up some birdseed and these deer blocks were right there.

Trailcam activity follows.

 Mutant Jr has a lot going on at left brow tine.

I thought interesting with bird (dove?).

The Ranger is acting up.  Idling so high it won't shift gears.  I couldn't figure it out.  Hoping that Van can.

 The rag is for wiping away spider webs.

Going to seem quiet without little farm helpers.