Breakfast guests

A fox appeared at breakfast, looked at us, walked up the steps, and drank from the birdbath.  K had just refilled the birdbath since the dud storm yesterday didn't even wet it.  Then the fox sauntered off about its business.

The tailless cardinal came for breakfast too, as did the other regulars and a titmouse.  I'm wondering if the missing tail is the result of the ongoing dispute with the other male?  Or maybe a predator?  The house wren went a hunting under the bushes around the patio.  I didn't see it catch anything but it flew to the birdhouse so it must have got something.  All in all, a successful breakfast despite the gloomy sky.

Rain briefly spattered the patio and ruffled the water but dried out by 9am.  The first day lily has bloomed. An hour later, rain pounded the house. It lasted until after noon.  After it stopped, a hummer came by.  Then two foxes came through, one distinctly larger than the other which was too big for a cub.  Different sexes, or a yearling helper?  A wren left the birdhouse with feces to dispose elsewhere so as to keep the nest sweet and fool predators. I've been trying to photograph this. 

The sky looked thunderous all afternoon, but stayed dry.  However, the bugs that want a blood meal before laying eggs in rain puddles were out in force. A skipper flitted around the windows for a while.