Thursday, August 2, 2012

Dying Of Thirst

Drought is a terrible thing. It's been a hot, dry summer in many places. I know we're not alone, but that doesn't make it any easier. We've had only a sprinkle of rain in over two months and there's none in the forecast. Still, looking at forecasts and temperature records doesn't give a real idea of what drought looks like.

No this isn't straw that we've spread on the ground. This is the grass in our front yard. It's crunchy when you walk on it.

Last year our Crepe Myrtle looked like this.
Now it looks like this.


In March our cherry tree was beautiful in bloom.
Now it's in real trouble.
The Forsythia last year.
The Forsythia now.


These guys have disappeared. We hope they're hiding underground. We've seen no toads or frogs this summer at all. Very unusual.

But not everything is dying. Some plants are thriving in the yard.



Some insects are doing well, too. The dragonflies are swarming in the yard and we and the dogs are getting used to being hit by them as they fly in circles.
The ticks are thriving. We had a warm winter followed by at hot dry spring and summer and ticks love that weather pattern. We're taking extra precautions to protect the dogs.

We're also trying to help out the wildlife that is suffering from the heat. The birds are enjoying the fountain for drinks and quick baths. We're see the squirrels drinking from the fountain, too and one day I watched a small lizard climb up for a drink.




We hope that Mother Nature gets over this bad mood that she's been in and brings us some cooler temperatures and some days of nice steady rain. No thunder, please.

14 comments:

♥♥ The OP Pack ♥♥ said...

It has surely been a most miserable summer. We do have green grass and a few flowers, but we also have a huge water bill. We will lose several shrubs this year because the ground just won't hold enough water to nourish them. So sad. We had a bit of rain early today and some thunder and lightning, not Thunder and Lightning. But all it did was make the day a lot stickier:( Bring on the fall and a lot cooler temps.

Woos - Phantom, Thunder, Ciara, and Lightning

Marjie said...

That's pretty scary, especially the lawn. We're "only" about 10% below average rainfall this year, but I think the water tables are feeling the effect of the lack of rain. And our friend Greg just bought a boat from someone who had it docked in Westchester County, and their lake is so low that the shoreline is about 1/4 mile from the end of the dock. It's scary all over.

STELLA and RORY from Down Under said...

Hi All, we're having the opposite. Extra cold weather and lots of rain, brrrr. This has been our coldest winter for about 8 years. We don't even want to go outside to wee!! Try and keep cool friends. No worries, and love, Stella and Rory

Bella Roxy & Macdui said...

We're the same as Stella and Rory--though they live quite a ways from us. We had a cool, rainy summer followed by a colder than usual winter. Mother Nature is really cranky this year.

The only good thing about a drought is the days are all beautiful.

XXXOOO Daisy, Bella & Roxy

Jo's World said...

We seem to get a bit of rain here and there, an inch or two today, but its just to hot for all of us. We are not used to this kind of heat all summer long. Lets all sing together: LET IT SNOW, LET IT SNOW, LET IT SNOWWWWW!

Jo, Stella and Zkhat

Two French Bulldogs said...

we hear so many people need the wet stuff. Hope it rains soon
Benny & Lily

Bigdogzola said...

We'd love to send you some of our rain!! Great that the birds are enjoying the refreshing bird bath...did someone mention the word Squirrellll...grrrrrr!

Molly the Airedale said...

This is really scary. We can only wonder when the rains will fall and we hope soon! We don't have your dry conditions here.

Love ya lots,
Mitch and Molly

Dexter said...

The drought is just awful. It is confusing all the plants and insects as well. Leaves turn color early, some insects are thriving (insects that should be getting managed by the weather).

We have a little bird watering hole as well (it is called the dog bowl - hehehe).

Mango Momma

soulbrush said...

Oh NO this is just awful. We had a bit of it, but being Britain we soon returned to rainy and grey days. How are your doggies managing- I bet they get iced treats every single day. Hope it eases soon.

Asta said...

The weathew has gone cwazy all ovew the wowld and I'm wif you in hoping mothew natoowe gets out of hew bad mood. It's so sad to see the bootiful twees and flowews in twouble and the animals who awe suffewing fwom this..thank dog you'we helping some of them find welief
I will cwoss my paws fow some lovely cooling quiet wain
smoochie kisses
ASTA

SissySees said...

We're getting some storms, but the rain falls hard and fast and runs off... not helpful!

I hope you get some very real relief soon.

Matilda the Boxer said...

Momma keeps complaining about how much water she has to use just to keep the plants from completely dying. Furget about blooming! I just want the ground not to be so darned hot when I walk on it!

Lapdog Creations said...

Wow... we're all doing the rain dance for you guys!