Kamikaze Swallows

 It's not safe to be a barn kitty in the dry lot these days.  

The barn swallows are raising their broods 

and have become very protective of the area around the barn... especially where the cats are concerned. 

 Poor Pete, who loves nothing more than to just lie in the sun in the dry lot has no peace these days.

No matter where he goes, he is attacked by these kamikaze birds!


And though it looks as though he is taking part in these attacks... this is only a defensive posture.


He hides out beneath the fence boards - safe from the swooping, angry birds.


The same drama plays out every single year.  
Over the years, the victims (cats) have changed.  As for the swallows?  I have no idea.


Soon we will have fledglings joining their parents in the aerial acrobatics!

It's also not safe for humans to spend any time outside right now.  Our air quality has hit dangerous levels of gasses and particulate matter secondary to smoke that has blown down from the Canadian forest fires.  Because of this, we have had to wear N-95 masks or respirator masks when out doing farm chores.  I had started painting our flower wagon project on Tuesday, but had to put that project on hold until the air quality is safe to be outside.  Hopefully we get some rain to clean the air!  Here's what the wagon looks like at the present time...(note the smokey sky!)


Hopefully, when we get it finished, there will still be some flowers left at the local greenhouse!

PS:  Our littles are spending today at the farm.  Sadly, we will not be able to play outside.

Comments

THE BEARDED ONE said…
IT IS SO VERY SAD THAT CANADA IS HAVING SUCH A TERRIBLE DROUGHT AND FIRES... SO FAR NONE OF THAT IS EFFECTING US IN MID TENN BUT...IT IS VERY HOT AND DRY... REALLY DRY....GOT MY MELONS AND MY BRIDES 4 TOMATO PLANTS OUT AND THEY ARE DOING WELL...BUT...I DIG DEEP HOLES AND FILL IT W/BLACK COW MANURE AND SOAK IT..PLANT THEN COVER THE MANURE W/DIRT...IT HOLDS THE MOSISTRUE IN...HAVE A SUPER FINE WEEKEND...MY WIFES BROTHER AND SISTERS WILL BE HERE FRIDAY NIGHT FOR A MEAL...THEN...UNUALLY 100+ WILL BE HERE SATURDAY FOR THEIR ANNUAL HUDGINS FAMILY RENUNION...I WILL GIVE HAY RIDES...THE KIS AND ADULTS WILL PLAY IN THE CREEK AND SPRING..HORSE SHOES WILL BE FLYING....WE HAVE 4 PITS..ONE OF MEN AND THE OTHER FOR WOMEN AND CHILDREN...THERE WILL BE 2 HUGE TABLES OF FOOD AND ANOTHER ONE FOR DESERRTS...FUN !!!!!!! HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND AND RAIN RAIN COME FOR YO AND FOR US JUST AFTER THE RENUNION FOLKS HAVE ALL LEFT...BIG SMILE...HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND !!!!!!!!
Wanda Devers said…
Poor Pete! So far here in Middle TN we are not having much trouble from the smoke. Yall be careful! I have asthma but we keep the heavy duty masks so if necessary we can use them. I've got a knee surgery coming up for torn cartilage so I'm somewhat housebound anyway.

I'm thinking of yall so often in your time of mourning. Thank you for your loving care of all--it is inspiring to know folks like yall and your sweet critters!
This N That said…
Poor Pete...The problem of being a cat with baby birds around...
I actually saw clouds yesterday afternoon...none today!!
That's a great wagon..I'm sure it will make a wonderful planter..Finding flowers may be a problem..Oak Groves green house is half empty ..Still lots outside..50% off..
Have fun with the kids..xxoo
jaz@octoberfarm said…
that wagon sure will be fun to decorate for fall! i found the first fall stuff out in the stores today...yay! i was thinking about how fun a scarecrow would be on some hay bales on that wagon and then realized...where is manerva? maybe i missed it but is she out this year?
We sure are praying for rain for us and for you and all those others who are greatly in need of it. Poor Pete....hope he can outlast the dive-bombers until all the babies have flown away.