Phew!

And the saga continues! OMG! I thought I was going to have to tell you that we were down to two Guineas tonight. All four have survived despite their adventures. This morning they popped out for some more exploring – happy to hunt bugs and munch on ferns. Perhaps it was because I was working in the front paddock … ? For some reason they all ended up across the road! Our road is busy this time of year. There are so many lakes all around us that there is traffic as people head out to their cottages or out with their boats to fish. I was working away when I finally registered that I was hearing them over there. Oy vey!

I started calling them and sure enough their heads popped out onto the grass verge across the busy road. Hmmmm … I headed across to ‘help’ them back. Difficult to do with cars coming along. So instead I retreated and thought I’d let them at least begin the journey and then I would help them. So you can imagine my dismay when I looked up to see all four in a line cautiously stepping out to the middle of the road just as a truck traveling much too quickly out of the village blasted into them. Nooooooooooooooooooo!

They all rose up as one – two brushing the windshield – and swerved back into the woods again on the wrong side of the road. I was awfully concerned that their ‘disposable crew member status’ was about to be invoked. I went to gather them up again. To herd them back to safety. But again … no go. So I retreated to the front porch with Ede. We sipped on a cold drink and listened. They worked their way all along the woods – across the road – until they got to the area across from our laneway. They then decided to make a run for it as six motorcycles came along!! Seems bikers can see birds more easily than truckers. Or … maybe you are more careful on a bike … They slowed down and let them by. Phew!

They scurried up to where we were – clucking and scolding each other all the way. They were panting with the heat (did I mention we’re at 30’C today?) and heading for their coop. Where they stayed. Of their own choice. For the rest of the afternoon. They did venture out again near dinner time … but only for a very short time. Sir Henry is some miffed at Miss Charlie. She seems to be the wanderer. And the confusion always votes to stay together. He literally chased, bumped and berated her all the way home. Jeesh!

We ‘other’ critters enjoyed a breezy warm morning. By midday we had all taken to our shady shelters. The jennies are loving their fans and munching away on indoor hay. Even the birds that usually flock to the feeders were staying out of the sun. A few grackles were doing the ‘sun-stunned’ pose … but snapped out of it to move.

It was delicious!