Good morning!!!!

[rswyan]

RS, you sure build things to last.

We try ...

Good luck on your sales and doctor's appointments ... :thumbsup:

 

[rswyan]

RS, we just scatter mealworms on our open porch, letting some go under a raised bourbon barrel flower planter because the Carolina wrens love to hunt in tight places...if the lizards and skinks leave them any. I occasionally put some out for the bluebirds, but they seem less interested in them, with so many insects to catch that are fresh.

Billy,

Thanks for the insights - that may be what we're seeing here: just too many other insects available for them to be all that interested in the mealworms.

I did notice yesterday after the thunderstorms came through and it cooled off there was all kinds of feeding activity by a variety of birds. Barn swallows in particular seemed to be having a field day.

Hope Coco continues on the mend ... and that the skunk was just "passing through" ...

 

[rswyan]

rs, you're on a roll.

Interesting mealworm feeder.

All credit to Steve Gilbertson, it's his design:

Bluebird nestbox plans

How far away from the home do you put your bird feeders/nest boxes?

Backyard feeders are about 60' from the house, except for the suet feeders which are hanging on the house itself. Mealworm feeder probably 400' to 500' away from house.

Bluebird nest boxes are anywhere from 60' to probably 500' or 600' away from the house. In order of increasing distance they are currently occupied by:

Nest box 1 - wrens

Nest box 2 - wrens

Nest box 3 - house sparrows

Nest box 4 - bluebirds

The newest one I just finished (Gilwood Slot) may be put up near the house ... or it might go even further out ... haven't decided yet.

No decision made on where I'll put up the Northern Flicker nest box ... but it will probably be somewhere fairly close to the house.

Same deal with the barn owl nest boxes ... except that they will not be close to the house (supposedly the chicks can be pretty noisy, while they're screaming to be fed ... :laughing

RNG has his lizards doing tricks for mealworms. Next, he'll teach 'em to roll over.

:laughing:

 

[RedNeckGeek]

RNG, don't run that pto too long with no water in pump...tank to pump valve must be open first, sounds like you need some labels...I would...lot of levers
and knobs. Was engineer for one year in fire company, really had to think twice about order of what to pull and turn next.
I personally think it's wonderful you have your own fire truck. Hail to the Chief!

Exactly, Drew. Everything is labeled, but now I need to sit down with the operator's manual and put together step-by-step instruction sheets, laminate them, and keep them in the cab of the truck.

Sooner rather than later.

 

[sodamo]

68°F and .23 inches rain.

Followup appointment at ophthalmologist this morning. Errands in town as well.

Prayers for all
Be safe
Have a great day

 

[RedNeckGeek]

Just wondering if the vet checked Coco for Lyme disease, Billy?

 

[lostcreekranch]

Exactly, Drew. Everything is labeled, but now I need to sit down with the operator's manual and put together step-by-step instruction sheets, laminate them, and keep them in the cab of the truck.

Sooner rather than later.

The key thing is to make sure the suction valve, connecting tank to the pump, is opened before engaging the PTO drive. Then control outlet pressure with engine rpm.

Does your truck have foam capabilities? Foam is useful sometimes .. but you have to flush entire system, with fresh water, after using it.

 

[buckeyefarmer]

The key thing is to make sure the suction valve, connecting tank to the pump, is opened before engaging the PTO drive. Then control outlet pressure with engine rpm.
.

That reminds me of something at work years ago.
A diesel generator plant with turbos had an air intake system with automatic Louvers that opened. Except when they first tested the system they didn’t open fast enough, and all the air intake ductwork was sucked in and destroyed.

 

[ronjhall]

RNG, look like your area made it back in National News again.

California police detail chaotic arrest in shooting that led boy, 15, to hide in wilderness for 3 hours | Fox News

 

[toppop52]

Something got into my back trash can where we dump the cat litter cleanup. Tore hole thru the plastic bag and made a mess. Never had anything get into it before. Now I’m wondering if maybe a squirrel did it.

Went to pull up video to check, and my analog recorder stopped recording 2 weeks ago. It has a 500 GB external hard drive to record to. Dvr says drive is empty. Huumm.

Dogs, foxes and coyotes will go after cat poop, it’s a favorite treat.