Morning comes early in my yard. Birds of all kinds begin their day between 4 and 4:30 AM, regardless of the time of year. This morning, it was not the usual rooster greeting joining the wild bird song. But, a hen who was distressed by something. So... out I went. All was calm in the hen house. When I went in and shined the flash light into every corner, the hens watched the light with curiosity, but stayed perched. Not time to get up yet. So... I went out and scanned the yard. All was quiet. No signs of predator. But, in the early morning light, I did get to marvel at a pair of bats who were soaring and diving over the yard. And, the bird song was glorious. Just before I came in, I caught a glimpse of the creature that caused anxiety in the chicken coop. A hawk swooped up past me, within about 10'. He was apparently hanging out, peering in the coop windows. Thank you, Lord God for the beauty of early morning. And thank you for rousing me out of bed to get to enjoy it.
It was miserably hot and humid today. Not a good day to be working outside. But, a good day, none-the-less! Today, I spent a good part of the day ripping out the strawberries in one bed and 2 walkways. for some reason, their productivity was pathetic. Perhaps due to overcrowding, or perhaps due to disease. Little round rust colored spots on all the leaves. I saved some of the "un-tarnished" runners, and will plant them. along with some garlic sets between the new planting of pole beans. Only allow 12-18 plants in the 4' x 10' bed. The newly vacated strawberry bed will be amended with lots of chicken compost, and perhaps, then covered with shavings/lawn clippings/coffee grounds to percolate until next spring.
I'm so thankful for air conditioning. It gives a good opportunity to sneak inside for a cold drink and cool down before going back out into the yard.
The panicles on my Elderberry plants are getting HUGE! I'm over the moon excited to have that plant finally producing. If the deer don't get it, I may actually get a bit of a harvest.