Bird's Nest

I seem to have suffered from some sluggishness when it comes to blogging lately. The dogs are all fine. I have been spending most of my time planting new trees and shrubs. Lacking an abundance of money, I have had to get small seedlings, which won't rise above the tall grass for, oh, five years maybe? But who would have thought it would be that tough to dig holes through all those grass roots? I have been sweating every day trying to get the shovel down to actual dirt so I can get the trees planted before they croak.

The swallows finally gave up and left after having their houses repeatedly squirted down, crashing to the deck below. They didn't give up easily, but they finally figured out that they had better move elsewhere if they ever wanted to finish their house building and lay any eggs.

Some other birds have been more fortunate, having chosen our fir trees to build their nests in. They only use the firs; they won't touch the spruces. The nests are fairly close to the ground, but none of the dogs have noticed them. The dogs are far more interested in chasing the ground squirrels, which they never can catch.