Spring into Summer

As we head into this coming weekend, the temperatures are creeping toward triple digits. Temperatures in the upper-90s seem pretty high in early May. On the other hand, it’s nearly summer, and the month of May is full upon us.

As the temperatures climb, the color of the hillsides is gradually losing the green shade as more and more yellow shows through. The last good rain fell on April 18t. A solid 0.63 inches, it put a good irrigation on the hills. It’s helping the grass hold onto a little greenness as long as possible.

Our forecast for the next 10 days is predicted to take us well into the 90s, flirting with the century mark. This will certainly hurry the grass into turning yellow, and curing up as good standing feed.

Any rain on our hillsides from now on is only going to do damage to the feed, and won’t be of any help. And as warm as it is now, it sure won’t put much, if any additional snow on the high peaks.

Last year, we received a teasing sprinkle of 0.12 inches on May 16, and then a drenching 1.78 inches on May 19. I can only hope we don’t have a repeat performance of those two late rains in 2020. Neither one helped our water supply significantly, and both were damaging to the feed on the thendry hills.

This year we did finally reach our average annual rainfall of 12 inches. Our total to date is 12.10 inches, giving us what could be called an “average” year. However, the great dry gaps we had from January 17, when we got half an inch, to February 22 when we got about one-third an inch, followed by another dry spell until March 10, when we got only 0.10 inches, 0.05 inches the next day, another 0.10 three days later, spelled trouble for the hills. Finally, on March 17 we got 1.06 inches.

Of course, that was all followed by a total of 3.55 inches in March, and another 3.15 inches in April, which nudged us up to our “average” 12.15 inches. My hope is we don’t have a repeat of last May’s late rains on the grass which is quickly drying out.

My hummingbird flock is emptying their six one-quart feeders every third or fourth day now. This is about the same pace they’ve been consuming the sugar-water for at least a month. When they come in just before dark for their final feeding of the day, the number of birds appears to be around 75. Of course, it’s impossible to get an exact count, but that’s close.

All the four-footed hilltop critters seem to be getting along nicely with no significant problems. Spirit keeps coming up about every third day for her can of grain. The two horses come up and get fed a little treat on about the same schedule.

It’s nearly impossible to give Spirit a treat if the horses are nearby. Ruby will gallop from the far side of the pasture to try to be able to shoo Spirit away from her grain.

Several days ago, Spirit had come to the gate, begging for me to give her a treat. I looked out over the pasture to find the horses. Apparently they were behind the barn, or possibly inside, but I couldn’t see them anywhere. Thinking the coast was clear, I dumped a can of grain for Spirit and she began munching away.

I turned and started walking back toward the feed room in the garage to put the container away. Suddenly, I heard the thunder of galloping hooves coming across the pasture.

There was no need to look to see what, or who, was racing toward Spirit and her treat. Ruby had spied her bovine pasturemate getting a treat inside the little pen at the top of the hill, and she was determined to get a share.

I had to drop everything, literally and figuratively, to run back across the yard to shut the gate and keep Ruby away. There’s no latch on that gate, so I had to hold it closed with the rope tied to it.

Ruby slid up to the gate just as I swung it closed, foiling her effort to steal a nibble. Of course, when Spirit finished eating, I let the gate swing open. Ruby dashed in, as Spirit ambled out, but a few snuffles of the now-empty pan netted the little Appy nothing more than a lick of the last few grains.

Of course, then she wanted me to give her and Strawberry their treat. As Spirit ambled away to check out the grass grazing scene, the two horses quickly sidled up to the fence and began licking up their cans of feed.

Mr. Boo seems to be quite content these days. I often see him walking back and forth as he mumbles to his girls. For the past few weeks he’s stayed home in my pasture, and not crossed into the next field to visit the neighbor’s nubile girls. Of course, as soon as I say that, I’ll find him on the wrong side of the fence.

I am so appreciative to Weisenberger’s Ace Hardware, 875 W. Olive Ave in Porterville for their sponsorship of Daunt to Dillonwood. Many of you have thanked them for their support, and I sincerely appreciate that. Of course, the best way to say thanks, is to purchase something from their wellstocked shelves.

I enjoy writing these columns and it’s especially gratifying when I hear nice responses from my readers. If you’d like to make a comment, or say hi, drop me a line at: foothillwriter44@gmail. com