A record-breaking heat spell kept me out on our deck until dark yesterday evening. Weary from a long day at work, watering my drooping plants revived my spirits. As I was spraying all the plants on the deck, two hummingbirds zipped and zoomed and chatted nearby. Realizing they were as hot as I was, I began to spray them as they sat on the branches of the nearby elderberry. They preened and squeaked and lifted their wings appreciatively in the fine mist, while I watched, spellbound, until my thumb tired of pressing on the hose.
In the deepening dusk, several lovely mule deer, young bucks and does, came to our water trough, then stayed close to munch on fallen acorns, unafraid of my presence just above them. A dozen or so wild turkeys have chosen the huge oak above the deck as their bedroom and it was quite amusing to see them get a running start and awkwardly fly up into the branches, settling themselves for the night. As the stars revealed themselves, crickets began playing their joyous music in 4/4 time. Pungently scented by various chaparral flora, night gently descended upon Camp French.
Bliss...
