Well, we went straight from winter to summer this year, just in time for the Farmer's Market, Carson Valley Days, Father's Day and graduation along with all the usual activities of summer. We have been watching a couple of magpies build their nest and now their hatchlings are learning to fly. As one would expect, they are quite protective; but they are also quite vocal. Since they are from the same family as jays, we were quite surprised that they weren't physically aggressive in protecting their young. We once had a cat that was pecked on the back just above the tail just for being in the vicinity of a blue jay's nest. These magpies have just used the distraction method by dancing all over the ground between the dog or cat and the young bird. Its tail feathers are about half the length of an adults' tail feathers and he/she can only fly very short distances. After only a couple of days, all is quiet again. I'm sure they have moved onto better hunting grounds.
The starlings, on the other hand, are still in their nests with their young. One has made a nest in a section of the barn roof and another has made their nest in a support beam for the deck cover. When you walk past either nest, you need to duck for cover as they race past your head to a vantage point close by so they can keep an eye on us. I wonder why they would choose a place for their nest in such a high traffic area. They don't seem very protective either since they race out of the nest leaving the hatchlings alone as we walk past. We hear the young in the nests but have yet to see them out testing their wings. Once they are gone, it should be time for the swallows to return. Ahhh, summertime.
n With the end of the school year fast approaching, summer break will mean we have to be even more careful driving our streets because children will be playing throughout the day. Be mindful of your speed because it only takes a second for a child to run out in front of you. We also have a lot of horseback riders as well as people walking with or without their pets so be alert and slow it down. As you leave Highway 395, take a deep breath, relax your right foot and enjoy the last short part of your drive home. Remember the speed limit on our streets is 25 mph.
n Be sure to mark your calendars for the 15th Annual Bar-B-Q and Dance for our Ruhenstroth Volunteer Fire Department. It will be on Saturday, July 8, from 4 p.m. to midnight. The firefighters will be at the mailbox cluster in the early evening in the next couple of weeks to begin selling tickets to the neighborhood gathering to make it easier for you to get yours. There will also be several items for auction and it promises to be a fun time for the entire family.
Have a ramblin' good week.
n To reach Gail Davis, e-mail hilltopranch97@charter.net or call 265-1947.
