a tale of swallows

We've had two consecutive 100 degree days. But relief is on the way. This afternoon we got a lot clouds and a few drops of rain. Storms are a few days away. At noon, I walked in Breckinridge Park, in the heat of the day. I was struck by a treeful of crow, raising an alarum. I thought they'd stop when a kestrel left the tree, but they kept on. Finally, a crow left the tree, chased by a scissor-tailed flycatcher. I wonder if there was a hawk in the tree I did not see. I'd hate for all that intimidtion to be devoted to hassling a flycatcher.

By evening, the park was filled with birds out enjoying the cool, slightly wet evening. Cliff swallows everywhere:



Also, lots of barn swallows:



and this one eastern kingbird:



I also picked up shirts at the dry cleaners, ate an oatmeal, spoke with my brother by phone, who is literally minding the store, and ate a nice dinner with my wife on our little patio. Now I am going to take Beatrice for a walk in the waning daylight.