Well woes, a deep subject!

We recently had some well problems and while "a well, that's a deep subject!" is an old corny joke, I wanted to mention it here since the subject is an important one, and common living in the country. We were into the 3^rd day without water before we got water back, and it’s vital that we have a backup plan in the event something like this occurs. Life in the country is idyllic, but the reality is when you live in a remote area you must be aware of survival threats and prepare for problems big and small.

We had already taken action toward water storage, and fortunately we had had a substantial enough rain to fill our containers. This made it easy for us to at least use the “facilities” in the house by filling up the tanks after flushing. David drove to Golconda and purchased plenty of bottled water. Meals were either cold (and simple so dirty dishes at a minimum) or timed with going into town and having a bite to eat at one of our local eateries. Bathing was…rustic. Grab a sponge, soap and a bucket of water and do your best. I discovered it can be rather refreshing standing out on the deck in all my glory in the brisk night air. I gave silent thanks that everyone seemed to be tucked in their beds at the time…or at least on other roads. Not that anyone could have seen anything…but it’s funny how vulnerable one can feel and how a heard-too-many-stories feeling of eyes staring at you begins creeping upon your thoughts. Especially since those eyes, were they there, would more than likely belong to a coyote, owl, raccoon, deer....you get the idea.

 We were aware of some water problems lurking shortly before…pressure had seemed to drop in the taps. For quite some time since moving here and hooking up the washing machine, there were some mysterious bits blocking the washer hose occasionally, and that had occurred again. While trying to isolate the problem, we found ourselves without water. Period.

 Now, David fits in quite well in a remote environment. He’s very logical and handy with mechanical whatnots and can normally repair whatever decides to break down. I knew he would figure out what the source of the problem was. He did reason it all out and found out that unfortunately this was a time to call in the professionals! The well service came out the next morning, investigated and discussed the situation with David and then said he could come out the next day to fix the well (since he also needed his son to complete the project). David had thought he would need special equipment to remove the failed pump, and when the well service came by the following morning, we had to chuckle since it’s doubtful we would ever have this type of equipment around, or ever be able to afford it!

 

 

We were both very impressed with the well service, and will mention their names here since it’s a positive review! Horman Pump and Well Service from the Metropolis area is a father and son business, and they were prompt and professional. The contraption required to complete the job was quite a beast! The mysterious “bits blocking the washer hose” was also solved; the cheap pump that had been installed previously had a plastic propeller that was gradually being chewed up and was grinding itself away, and of course going into the various hoses and pipes. The unit wasn’t that old but unfortunately by trying to save a few bucks an inferior product was used by a previous owner, so we were glad to be rid of it!

They had to do pretty much everything to put in a well except bore the hole and it was painstaking work; it was quite a job that took around 4 – 5 hours. I’m glad the weather was great that day!

 

So we are glad that we have all new equipment inside and outside the well; the "big blue tank" was fine so it was left intact. Mr. Horman stated our water was great (which we already knew but were glad to hear!) but of course he did treat the water to avert any problems of contamination since the well was exposed.

 

Situations like this really get you thinking…what if it had been worse, which it easily could have been. Had we not had that rain beforehand, there were other contingency plans but it would have made our situation that much more difficult, especially with David's shoulder still undergoing physical therapy from his surgery.

 

We take many things for granted and that can be dangerous, especially in the country. How spoiled we are, how long ago was it that they had to walk and get water from nearby creeks? Turning on the faucet and hearing the air blow through followed by water gushing out couldn't have thrilled me more if it had been oil! I’m glad we had already realized the need to “hoard” water, although we need to ensure we continue to broaden our knowledge and take more steps for emergencies.

 

All is well (no pun intended) again, and it's a beautiful day! Much to get on with (catching up with laundry is one!) so will leave my diary entry as is. Tomorrow's subject will be much more fun...the bluebirds caring for their young!

 

Until next time...

Internet...ack!

'Tis true, our internet went back down again on May 11th and just NOW am back up and running. What an experience that I won't bore you with, but just an fyi that will be back posting soon.

The Eastern Bluebirds have been feeding their young so we can hopefully get some great photos!

Back up to do some catching up!

The elusive Summer Tanager

I *think* I saw a Rose-breasted Grosbeak at our feeder over the past few days. They are a migratory bird here so hopefully will be able to snag some photos of it before it's too late. It's so colorful around here!

Another elusive bird that likes to tease us is (possibly) a Summer Tanager, a breeding visitor to our area. David attempted to snap a photo the other day, but the little scamp was nearly out of the bottom frame, but he does resemble the photos from last year (see below):

Last year around May 29th, David was able to get these photos in one of our nearby trees; it certainly fits the Summer Tanager's description. They are 6 - 7 1/2" in length with a yellowish bill; male red; female yellowish green above, yellow below. They enjoy woodlands; in uplands, drier forests of oak, hickory, or pine.

An American Goldfinch is finding its way to one of the new hanging feeders we put up:

 

 An Eastern Bluebird is resting in the nearby Bald Cypress; the bluebird pair have been building a nest in a box we have attached to the trunk. (note: Sadly, we saw an egg that resembles that of a bluebird on the ground today. We admittedly considered attempting to incubate and hatch it, but after reading about the unlikelihood that it is still viable, and the even more unlikely result of providing the correct temperature and its other needs before and after hatching, we had to accept reality.)

A male Cardinal relaxing:

Our Eastern Kingbird is still hanging around our property. Breeding visitors here (they spend their winters in South American forests), they are 7 - 9" in length and are blackish above, white below; dark tail with prominent white band at tip; flies with stiff, shallow wingbeats from a high perch. They enjoy forest edges; woodlands and open areas with some tall trees.

 

Certainly not faint of heart, they are fearless in defense of their territory. It will attack flying from above, pecking and pulling out feathers and may even land on the intruder.

 

Reggie, the Red-headed Woodpecker (and new member of our family) chilling out:

 Our Eastern Phoebe was having quite a preen! They can sure contort themselves:

It's difficult to believe I have written as many posts over the past couple of weeks and have yet to talk about....deer!!! Pope County being the Deer Capital of Illinois, they are definitely abundant around here. While they are seen more around dusk, one must always be alert for them. They are difficult to see at the best of times and can jump out into the road (and in front of you!) very quickly. They're also known to stop just after coming in to the road...the saying "like a deer caught in headlights" was started for a reason!

 

We've seen this young deer alone quite suddenly, however, when it was with about six others recently. It seems fine and healthy, but we haven't seen the others about for a little while.

 

Until next time....

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Woodpecker Storage Wars

Before I regale you with my story about the woodpeckers, look who is here! Our Indigo Bunting is back! I had just posted a couple of days before I lost our internet and whined about not seeing one yet. Awwww, what a beautiful bird and I am so glad to see it.

Here it is scouring the ground by the feeder with another of our favorites, a male Cardinal:

 It looks as if it found some!

We lost our internet on Friday afternoon, May 3rd and just got it back yesterday, so need to catch up over a couple of the past rainy-ish days around here.

Oooh, the Orchard Oriole; I posted a (I think) non-breeding male recently...

David was able to get a few more photos of one of the neighborhood beavers, down by the creek. Fascinating creatures!

Around here, of course, a couple of our "pet" darlings made appearances, now that we have some natural patches of wild flowers and grasses (known to the untrained eye as "weeds") near the forest that we are "taming" for our little furry shy friends, so that they have some cover to hide in. I can't blame them for being shy, seeing the large birds of prey that are about!

Dylan, the rabbit, is enjoying David's nature-friendly landscaping so he can sneak out from the forest and grab some seeds from the ground and munch on some greens.

 I absolutely love Dylan's mouth in this picture (below), as he's munching.

Another of our friends, Percy the Possum.

 No, he doesn't use hair gel, it was rainy.

 He also loves seeds, but needs a napkin:

Now about those woodpecker storage wars...

 Reggie, the Red-headed Woodpecker, has been seen around here, but always at a distance...until recently! He has now given in to temptation and coming to our feeders for some scoff!

I'm thrilled to see it nearby now, and they are year-round residents here. The are 7 - 10" in length. They have a red head and neck; mostly black and white, with large white wing patches. Seeing it in flight is nothing short of stunning, especially watching it fly into the forest...you can't really see the black as it's soaring, but you see all this white floating in the sky from its body and wings.

 

Several species of woodpeckers have a habit of storing food for future consumption; our Red-headed and Red-bellied Woodpeckers both share this trait. It all got rather interesting when I noticed Reggie, the Red-headed Woodpecker, take to the other feeder and find what appears to be a favorite spot for storing some seeds, right here, under that part of the feeder that is separating from the base:

 

See him doing it for yourself, in this video:

Cyril, who has been living with us for some time with Sylvia, our Red-bellied Woodpeckers, enjoys this particular spot for his food storage (which happens to be holding the seed tray that Reggie above is pictured on).

Yesterday afternoon, what did I witness but Cyril scampering up the post after Reggie left the area, to Reggie's favorite storage spot and stealing his seeds! He ate some and also took them down to his own favorite spot and hammered them into the crevices.

 

Apparently, Reggie is no dummy however! This morning I saw him scurrying down to Cyril's favorite spot and doing the same to him! But...I guess it's not stealing if you're getting your own stuff back! Cyril caught him red-handed (or would that be red-headed?) though and gave him a telling off, sending him on his way...for now!

 

Until next time...