Molting: A Harbinger of Autumn

The ducks are still in the process of losing their juvenile feathers 

as they transform into flashy adults. 

Well, the boys are flashy, 

Herman is just her usual adorable self. 

The chickens are molting, too, as they do every fall.

Shedding tired old feathers and growing in fresh feathers 

can be pretty messy. 

 A truly pretty mess.

 Treasures can be discovered across the yard

 as we search for the best feathers to save

 for crafts, sharing with friends, or simply because 

each one is a miniature masterpiece. 

With the molt well under way,
there is a dust bath in the shadow of my rain garden.

 

 The ducks and I look forward to the autumn rain.

The chickens will great the rain 

with disdain.