1 hour ago, FrederickH said:

It looked as though it had just died. Could this really hot(98+ ℉) weather stress them enough to overheat and kill them????

Maybe??? I'll try doing a little research. We typically have numerous that winter with us. I keep feeders stocked with sunflower seeds and shelled peanuts. Generally they move on early summer when the heat & humidity ramp up then return by mid October. This summer has been much cooler, albeit considerable drier than normal. A few have remained so far which is not typical.

Seems like a few years ago (maybe more) a dead Bluejay in the yard was an indication that the West Nile Virus was in the area, being spread by mosquitoes.

Today, we're going to learn to use a scroll saw to produce the parts for a Dragon Fly sculpture. The stock is to be 3/16", the wings glued on and the entire dragon fly will be balanced, by a bent brad, on the top of a dowel rod. Plans were taken from "Woodcraft", Volume 19, Apr/May 2023, page 22.

 

22 hours ago, FrederickH said:

Today, we're going to learn to use a scroll saw to produce the parts for a Dragon Fly sculpture. The stock is to be 3/16", the wings glued on and the entire dragon fly will be balanced, by a bent brad, on the top of a dowel rod. Plans were taken from "Woodcraft", Volume 19, Apr/May 2023, page 22.

 

That's nifty. 

The dragonflies were put together this morning, with much difficulty holding the wings in place for the glue to set. Clothespins worked well. We took a break in the afternoon for train rides at the local park. Temps were around 95 ℉ during this time. When we returned, we made the bases and balanced the dragonflies on the rod. Final balancing will be done tomorrow after painting them.

46 minutes ago, FrederickH said:

The dragonflies were put together this morning, with much difficulty holding the wings in place for the glue to set. Clothespins worked well. We took a break in the afternoon for train rides at the local park. Temps were around 95 ℉ during this time. When we returned, we made the bases and balanced the dragonflies on the rod. Final balancing will be done tomorrow after painting them.

Red Run park?

Norlo Park in Fayetteville. Wasn't too busy but hot as he!!.

 

https://www.guilfordtwp.us/norlopark/

4 hours ago, FrederickH said:

Norlo Park in Fayetteville. Wasn't too busy but hot as he!!.

 

https://www.guilfordtwp.us/norlopark/

Forgot about them. 

On 7/11/2023 at 9:38 AM, FrederickH said:

Today's(Tue) project is to build 3-4 birdhouses, for the grand kids, to take back to Long Island. Should be straight forward. Tomorrow's/next day project will be these "activity toys". We have some creek walking, a County Fair, water park, and play parks to squeeze in. May be a mistake???

My Dad was not mechanically inclined (He freely admitted such). he made rubber band guns for us, by taping the clothespin (with good old fashioned friction tape) to a 2 foot long piece of strapping. There were 4 of us kids, born between 60-66. The rubber band battles we had, occupied us for hours. He mighta been a genius!

Last full day with the Grand Kids! We started with painting the body of their dragonfly, followed by an exploration of the local stream, then back to finish the decorations on the dragonflies. I'll box up the bird houses, garden markers, and dragonflies for the trip up to Long Island.

 

We should have mounted the dragonfly wings closer together in order to retain the "longish" tails. Oh well, next time.

A week with grandpa they won't soon forget!

1 hour ago, FrederickH said:

I'll box up the bird houses, garden markers, and dragonflies for the trip up to Long Island.

Reminder: Don't forget the swords😁

What a great week you gave them.  And us, Frederick!