empty nest

This makes me so happy.  When I was here in May, there was a constant ferrying of grubs and insects to the first Mountain Bluebird chicks.  I trusted that all had gone well when we arrived here ten days ago, and there was another flurry of feeding into a wide open mouth - or two? - at the bluebird box window.  And then it stopped.  And I was very nervous, because it's been very hot, and last year the bluebirds lots their second brood just before fledging to the heat - at least, that's what I presumed happened.  Other years there have been depradations involving malicious house sparrows.  One year early mortality of tiny chicks.  So I gave it 48 hours, and opened the box with some trepidation, and - the bird(s) had flown!  I've cleaned it out, and left it to air in the sun: as soon as the frosts start, the bluebirds will, I hope, be back overnighting in there (usually a whole gang pops out in the early winter mornings), and then nest again next year.

In other news ... Moth seems to be doing much better today - eating her new food, using the litter box, and taking her meds like a pro.  Many, many thanks to all her well-wishers: it's been a scary time.