I started soil prepping for fall bulb planting in a new area to the south of the lawn in the front yard.  The rototiller worked the very dry soil to the point of powder in some locations, demonstrating the need for rain to help hold the soil together.  The area being worked up to add flowers to was once part of the lawn, but next to a line of 50-year-old bald cypress trees that put out too many “knees” to mow, thus the need to make the flower bed in the root zone.  An extreme heat warning was issued on Tuesday and Wednesday. Native birds were hanging around the fish pond drinking and bathing in the dry heat.  Many fledgling cardinals and blue jays along with house sparrows in the mix, were feeding on sunflower chips and a wild bird seeds mix.  A bevy of doves arrived in late evening to clear the feeding table of any remaining seeds.  The dry conditions continued through the weekend.