We've had quite a rainy week, although fortunately no big, flooding downpours, but after today it looks like it's going to be clear sailing for a while. 

Looks like next week Saturday it might get to 87F?!

                                          

In between rain-showers I still managed to get some walks in, and was able to get a few shots of the pretty little birds that have returned from the south.

   

I love these Lazuli Buntings, blue is such a special color on a bird isn't it? They'll (hopefully) have 3 or 4 eggs and will hang around until September.

This next bird that's hanging around the rivers edge, is a Bullock's or Northern Oriole:

  

They also winter in Mexico and come here to breed around May. 
Funny enough I took a picture of a nest this winter and didn't know from which bird it was:

                                

I now realize it's theirs! 'Deep, pendant baskets' says my guide .. check! (complete with some incorporated fishing-wire!)
Besides insects and seeds these birds love fruits, including oranges and sometimes grapes.
Apparently they will readily come to a dish filled with grape jelly, so when I go grocery shopping this afternoon I'll pick some up!

'My' screech owls and their brood have been a thrill to watch for the last couple of weeks, but I'm afraid they have 'flown the coop' (or barn in this case) because I haven't seen any of them for a couple of days now ..

                    

 

Aren't they the cutest? I'm so happy all three have made it!

The guys are still working on the last of the electricity and other small bits and pieces. 
Since this doesn't take all three of them, Austin could start working on trimming trees together with Sam (the owner), who's still here.

              

They were working on the bottom branches with the tractor and makeshift 'basket' and Don took the tops with his big boy toy.

This all gave James time to figure out how much roof and siding he needs, and trying to get bids from suppliers.
It's quite expensive stuff so you don't want to make a mistake in ordering ..

 

He could use a bigger 'office' for all the paperwork, 

but he's making it work!

And than there was this:

 

He so badly wanted his treat, some chicken baby-food, but that flame ..

Our sweet baby turned 17 last Friday! Who'd thought? Deaf and diabetic, he has traveled all over the US, lost some teeth, got his ear ripped and is a little stiff in the hips, but he's still with us.
He's fun, sweet and a trooper and I hope there will indeed be 'many more'!

The RV by the way has him beat and is 20 years old by now, and not too surprisingly every now and than something 'bites the dust' ..

This time the water-heater sprung a leak, or a crack, or something, and water found it's way down and out, and started dripping below the RV.

      

Yeah, unfortunately that's not patch-able, and a new one has been ordered already. $425, cha-ching!

It'll arrive somewhere next week, and although we still have (cold) water, I'll be happy to have my warm water back! Maybe we'll be lucky (nah, we?) and it'll get here sooner ..

Fortunately we can shower and do laundry in 'the house' next door.

And last but not least .. it's official now:

My flights to Amsterdam for June have been cancelled.
I guess we all knew it was coming, but it's a disappointment nevertheless.
Delta still flies to Holland from Atlanta and Detroit but you have to have a 'legit' reason to enter the country (either a deadly illness or death of close family. Let's knock on wood!).
As long as I didn't hear anything, and with things changing almost every day, restrictions easing up and even being lifted, I still had some hope .. oh well ..

I'm now hoping for August or September .. we'll just have to wait and see.
In the meantime I think I'm going to ask for a refund instead of a voucher, that way I can fly with any airline when things are opening back up.