This bird is OK

When I first saw this bird, I thought it was dead. But no, it flew away a short while later. It’s exhibiting a behavior known as “anting”, where a bird spreads out like this near an ant nest. The ants come and carry away parasites from the bird’s feathers, and everybody is happier.

Summer cocktail

Handful of fresh raspberries from the garden. Leaves from a small sprig of thyme, also from the garden. Juice of half a leftover lemon. 1 oz. St. Germain. 2 oz. mezcal. Pinch of salt. Muddle thoroughly, then shake hard with ice until very cold. Twist of lemon peel. This is the best experimental cocktail I’ve made so far in Covid-times.