Helene Has Arrived!

The hurricane that hit Florida has progressed across the country and created more havoc.  The power went off at the farm at 2:08pm on Friday.  Although it was still out, we went out to check on things on Saturday afternoon and this was the rain gauge - overflowing at 5"+.  All since Thursday.

The pond had finally regained normal levels. I took the timer off the fountain for when the power restored.  As you can see, the rain was continuing.

Here was the pond before the storm.

There was evidence of high winds but not terrible.  A few trees down.

Lots of branches and leaves down.

And a bounty of acorns.

Even the turkeys looked like drowned rats.

Since the power didn't restore, we headed home to Mason before dark.  I called the outage line at Southcentral Power and they predicted a Sunday 2:30pm restore.  When I got up at 5:00 on Sunday, this was the status on their website - 46% of Pike County meters were still without power.

Finally, at 6:24am, I got an automated call to inform me of the restore.  40 hours out - what should I think about stuff in the fridge or freezer?

While I was there, I took a walk in the rain to check cameras and see what the damage may be.  

The rain was welcome for the food plots (that I had planted and then suffered 6 weeks of drought).  This was a no plow plot planted in brassica with just broadcast seed (no drill).  It's spotty but growing.

This was a tilled plot planted in brassica.  A little better coverage.  Both of them have lots of weeds starting.

This field had been sunflowers.  It was overgrazed by deer and then taken over by grass.  I mowed the grass and now there is some evidence of clover and chicory.  Volunteer seeds I guess.

The main field clover had been scorched by the drought but is greening back up.

Same with the driveway field.

Mystery fliers time - is this a flicker?

And how about this - a bat?  Update - several folks advised that this is a flying squirrel. Flying Squirrel

These two?

The pear tree by the driveway has been a major draw this year (since the apples are pretty sad).

Young bucks.

And crowds of does.

A fox.

Bobcat.

Turkeys.

Thirsty turkeys.

Nursing.

Steve's visit two weeks ago.

Archery season is officially open in Ohio but I didn't get a chance to hunt.

When we left, there was another 1/4" in the gauge and it was still raining.

Africa Safari - Random Short Video Clips

As time allows, I will be adding short videos to this post from our trip to South Africa, Victoria Falls (Zimbabwe) and Botswana.  These are just random short videos that may be of interest.  YouTube only allows me to upload a certain number of them per 24 hours so I have to remember to come back and add more later.  Anyway, these provide a little more action/reality beyond the still photos but they are unedited little snippets from the trip.  Here we go.

Baby Elephant

Botswana - Coming in for Sundowner

Botswana - Lions 1

Botswana - Lions 2 

Botswana - Lions 3

Botswana - Lions 4

Botswana - Lions 5

Botswana - Lions 6 

Botswana - Ride From Airport Arrival

Giraffe Carcass 1

Giraffe Carcass 2

Giraffe Carcass 3

Giraffe Carcass Leopard Approach

Giraffe Carcass Lions

Cheetah 1

Cheetah 2

Elephant at Zambezi 1

Elephant at Zambezi 2

Elephant Momma

Elephants Near VF

Elephants Heading to Water

Giraffe Drinking

Giraffes on the Move

Giraffes

Hyena on Kudu

Hyena on Road

Hyena

Landing at Mala Mala

Landing Qorokwe

Leopard Coming Down  Check out the eyes in this one!

Leopard Down From Tree

Leopard Impala 1

Leopard Impala 2

Leopard Impala 3

Leopard on the Move

Leopard Walk 2

Lion Cub Pair

Lions Four Cubs

Lion Males - Face Rub Greeting

Motoring With Tubs

Rhino Grazing

Rhinos Crossing in Front

Splash - River Crossing

Take Off VF

VF Family Shot - Falls Running

Botswana First Elephant

Leopard Face Wash

Leopard Impala 4

Leopard Walk

No Rain Again, Cynthia and Steve Visit

Joan's sister Cynthia came for a visit this weekend.  Cynthia and Steve live in Washington (the state) and haven't been to the farm in some time.  Sisters.

We did some touring.

Which led to some chores.

We also shot the crossbow - two weeks until the archery opener.

It'll do.

We also did some shooting at the 100 yard shooting house from the bench...

And also off of sticks.

We decided to have dinner in the gazebo - food delivery service.

It was a nice evening out there.

It's surprising but there is some evidence of the things that I planted coming up.

In spite of just 0.2" of rain in the last 5 weeks.

Lots of candidates for "poops of the week".

Including inside my hunting stands.

And outside them.

Violet.

More touring.

And more shooting - this time from 200 yards.

Not many bucks on camera this week.  This one is out of velvet.

This young dumbo still in it.

Coyotes and everybody else enjoying pears dropping off this tree.

And also over here.

Twins.

Normal doe activity.

Including late night drinks.

And sleepovers.

Predator!

Lots of acorns also stimulating activity.

We need rain and there is almost none in the 10 day forecast.