We've had sustained winds of 15~20MPH with gusts to 45 all day, and the trees aren't liking it. The 70' cottonwood in the neighbors yard cut loose with a big branch that came crashing down earlier today.
Here's our Perimeter Security Force carefully checking it out to make sure it's safe.
The branch is several inches in diameter, and if it wasn't cottonwood, It would have been big enough to keep for firewood, like I did to the big branches from the crab apple tree.
And the wind scattered TLG's "water table" plaything, and blew over the patio table/umbrella/IRON base, and chairs.
That cast-iron base weighs a good 40 pounds! The wind was strong enough that it blew it over with the umbrella reefed-and-stowed.
But my wire antenna (invisible here except for the support) stayed up and is still working, and the 20 Meter vertical seen in the other pix stayed up as well.
And it appears that we have a squirrel nest in our ash tree. I'd seen some squirrels carrying string, yarn, ribbons, and other "nesty" stuff over the last few weeks, but I thought they were taking it over to the "Squirrel Tree" in the neighbor's yard.
Nope, got our own "Squirrel Tree" now.
As long as they stay in the tree I'm OK with it. The original owner's of this house had a raccoon get stuck in the flue pipe for the fireplace many years ago. Not sure how that turned out, as the neighbor that told us didn't remember.
Beautiful day today, though. We didn't get any rain here, but the weather radar showed what appeared to be some decent moisture in the Cameron Peak fire area, and some went through the Mullen fire area, too.
They're still pretty big, and will probably burn for a few more weeks, or until the winter rains and snow comes.
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Couldn't stand all the ash on the pickup so took it to the car wash this morning, wind and all. Banner lasted about 15 minutes at the dog park. He wanted to leave which rarely happens.
ReplyDeleteThe wind had Pebbles spooked for a while, but when she saw we weren't making a big deal, she calmed down.
DeleteI've got to get one of those white nylon mesh "bug scrubbers" for the new truck. That last round-trip to DIA left some pretty big SPLATS! in places, and it's a pain using paper towels to scrub them off.
Really glad you are all okay. Praise God. :)
ReplyDeleteThanks, Linda. We've had much stronger here, but usually in the Spring.
DeleteI saw the photo of the wonder dog inspecting the downed tree limb. It's good that she's still actively on patrol.
ReplyDeleteWinter is coming.
Semper Paratus, LL!
DeleteToo bad she can't help me cut it up and drag it to the curb....
Here in the Chicago area, 15-20 mph winds: if the sun is shining, it's still considered a 'nice day.' 45 mph gusts: in Chicago, that would be 'a bit windy.' People would still lay out goodies on the picnic table, just maybe not the table cloth, though. Just depends on what you get used to, I guess.
ReplyDeleteOh it gets insanely windy here, Fredd, just not usually in the Fall that I remember. This is only our third Fall here, so I could easily be wrong, but I've seen gusts to over 60MPH, and my anemometer is somewhat sheltered. If it were on the roof I'd probably see 70MPH gusts.
DeleteIf it stayed anchored to the roof, that is....
Squirrels. Our experiences with lowering the numbers of local squirrels has only resulted in new squirrels moving into the neighborhood.
ReplyDeleteI imagine that the network of squirrel real estate agents lists the vacant properties the instant the previous tenants are gone.
Squirrels are an inexhaustible natural resource.
They're everywhere here. Most trees taller than ~25' have a squirrel nest in them.
DeleteAnd rabbits, raccoons, deer, badgers, and all kinds of other little furry critters!