Reverse Rain

 We have been having an unusually sunny but cold late autumn this year, although today's sun brought a bit of welcome warmth with it. When the sun hits the frosted earth and trees in the morning, it creates rising mists and what I call reverse rain. It is the melting frost dripping from beneath the trees creating "rain" underneath them. Because it is only raining underneath what is normally shelter but sunny where regular rain would be...I think you get it. You do, right?

 It was hard to get a proper picture of it. That is to say, I didn't really get a picture of it at all. It defies my patience and photography skills, but I like this picture anyhow looking out along the garden fence toward the ramshackle barn.

Guess who else likes the sunny days?

 

Millicent does!

She finished her molt a few weeks ago, and her new feathers look so clean next to her sister, Prudence, who is in mid-molt now. Millie is once again giving us her smooth coffee-colored eggs every other day.

Edith is a sun-worshipper, too.

She also recently finished her molt, grew in new gleaming black feathers, and laid a few extra-large brown eggs before she went back on her seasonal strike.

Sweet Clara's rooster-bare shoulders are once again feathered golden brown, and she's quite pleased with herself. I'd be pleased with her, too, if she'd start laying again. Beauty is as beauty does, Clara!

 Opal no longer looks like a Foster Farms reject. Here she is doing her parrot impression. Her snow white feathers are astonishingly bright, and she is the one I look for each morning in the semi-darkness to see if the flock is up and out.

 My beautiful blondie, Marigold, giving us her mint green eggs once again. 

(psst, Marigold, you have a little spinach on your beak there darlin')

 Hazel is the rebel. She is the only one who will perch on the side of the water tub...

and play Dippy Bird. Does anyone remember Dippy Birds?

All she needs is a top hat.

Agnes led the flock to the dust baths. Have you ever watched chickens dust-bathe? No? Oh, well here ya go!

Now back to your regular rain.