Bluebird Chick has Fledged

I was in the right place at the right time yesterday.

I saw the bluebird chick fly from the birdhouse,
just as I was walking by.
Truth be told, I probably scared it from the nest.

Both parents were flying around my head trying to keep me away from the chick.

I left them alone to finish raising their baby.

Equine Jenny Craig

Due to the unrelenting rains, the grass is lush

and riding is difficult or non-existent in the muddy conditions.

Thus, I have two portly horses.

 My choices are increased stall time (with no exercise)

or grazing muzzles.

I chose the latter, although it killed me to do it the first time.

I know it is best for them.  

Heavy weight on those slender legs is dangerous 

and overweight horses on lush pasture are more prone to laminits,

a very painful condition.

Rocky with his grazing muzzle.

Mom!  You've got to be kidding!

Jaz in his grazing muzzle.

What is this?!?

Before you think I am totally heartless & cruel,

you should know that the muzzle has a small hole in the end.

 Once the horse figures it out, he can get small bites of grass.

Meanwhile he's outside getting some exercise and fresh air.

Believe me, it hurts me more than them! 

Mayapples blooming

Its May, time for Mayapples.

Mayapples are those little umbrella plants that grow in the Spring.
They are also called Witches Umbrella, Devil's Apple, Hog-apple, Indian Apple
American Mandrake, Racoonberry & Wild Lemon.

Under the leafy top hides a bloom.

Then the flower petals fall off and this small fruit forms.
This plant is best admired and not eaten.

All parts of the plant are toxic except the fruit. 

Garden Update

May 10th is the date of our last frost.

Everything can now safely be planted.

The garden in early May.
Broccoli & peas in the foreground.

Salad greens coming up!

 Onions & garlic enjoying the cool Spring weather.

Peppers

Potato plants sprouting in the new potato bag.

 A nice healthy tomato plant started in my basement.
The grow light and seed starting kit worked well.
All of the seeds sprouted and grew into nice starts.

 Spinach looks a little sparse.

Rhubarb is flourishing.

My favorite herb, cilantro.

In addition, green beans and pumpkins and basil are planted.

A Turtle Tour

We have several species of turtles in the area.

Here's who I've found.

Map turtle

Large snapping turtle

Box turtle

Spiny softshell turtle

More Muskrats

I checked the area where i first saw the muskrat

and what do you know, I found two of them.

A large brown one and a smaller darker brown one.

They never noticed me, so I got some shots of one grooming itself.

And finally swimming away

Raising a Family

The bluebirds are back in their house and working on their family.

On May 2nd, I noticed activity and checked the house.

May 3rd, one egg.

 May 10th, one chick visible

Mom checking the chick

 How did that get in here?

Mom always gets stuck with housecleaning.

 Dad checking in.

Hey!  Watch your manners!