It's time to get back at er.

Since the spring when the weather changed I really haven't done much to the burl other than clean it up occasionally. Most of my spare time has been spent in the yard, which is another thing I love to do. An American Kestrel family kept me entertained all summer. They are a very aggressive falcon (pigeon hawk) that will attack anything that could become a threat to their young.
   I witnessed one intercepting a raven that was flying into the area, the kestrel was kli kli kli ing violently as it flew above it. Then it would tuck its wings in and dive at a very high speed and repeat several times. At one point it appeared to actually have contact because the raven flipped right upside down. It looked shaken, and did not take long to get out of the area.
 The squirrels weren't nearly as cocky as they usually are, and there didn't even seem to be as many small song birds around as usual.
  We put a bird feeder up and a hummingbird feeder as well that helped attract the little fellas. I moved plants around in my yard all summer and added several new perenials, most of which attract hummingbirds. It will be interesting to see how it works out starting next spring.

  But, for now it's time to change my focus back to the burl  and that's what will be done. This picture is the area where I'm starting this season, working counter clockwise until the outside is finished, Then, the inside.