Tag: fall

A Murder of Crows

Sheeps & Peeps4 Comments
After waking up to yesterday’s gothic-like weather of constant rain and fog, it was no surprise to hear a very loud flock of birds causing quite a ruckus.  It sounded like they were down in the hollow, but on the way to the old barn to get a load of hay, here they were.

Hundreds of crows literally covered the hayfield.  Many of them were visiting the puddles in the barn lane for a quick drink.

Holding my breath like Melanie Daniels in ‘The Birds’ (wink), I tried to slowly drive down the lane.  The crows stayed ahead of the ranger, constantly taking off and landing, all the while filling the air with their loud, racous cawing.   Some took to the trees, covering the tops like leaves.

As I got closer to the old barn, the crows flew faster and farther, heading down in the woods towards Wolf Creek.  By the time I backed up to the old barn doors to load hay, only a few remained in the tops of the trees… still scolding me loudly for disturbing their great gathering of crows.

If you haven’t had a chance to see Nature’s ‘A Murder of Crows’, please do so.  It is fascinating.  You will observe crows in a whole new manner.  You can watch it on-line here.

Wistful

Sheeps & Peeps5 Comments

Looking through some photos we’ve taken for Shutter Sisters’ One Word Project, we’re reminded of how much we wish we could show you pictures of the shepherdess/s going about the farm chores in beautiful hand-knit sweaters and yes, maybe even mittens.  As we go through the day, we sometimes have visions of Grandma Lena in her flowered work dress and apron gathering eggs in the chicken house.
Truth is… we are messy… chores often become more like a scene out of a slapstick comedy than a farm living magazine.  Barn cats pounce out of hiding to attack coverall-covered legs.  Rams get that look in their eye and send a shepherdess sprawling down a muddy wet hillside.  Our well loved, leather gloves are worn until the fingertips are frayed, because honestly, that’s just when they are really getting broken-in.  By the time we get back to the house our quilt-lined flannel shirt’s pockets are full of hay, muddy baler twine and other treasures depending on the day’s adventures.
But… one day… one day, we’ll surprise everyone and show-up at the chicken coop in a feed-sack-like-flowered work dress, an apron with large pockets and a beautiful basket to gather the eggs.  And maybe… just maybe, we’ll do some non-hay-feeding-chores in one of those beautiful hand-knit sweaters.  When it happens… don’t worry… we’ll be sure to take pictures!

Don’t forget to comment on Monday’s post!  You could be the lucky winner of a 2013 Sheeps and Peeps Calendar!

Weekly Top Shot

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Belladonna has been very busy, figuring out the new fencing configuration, and keeping track of her sheep.  We were reminded how lucky we are by a Flickr friend in Wisconsin whose guard dogs had a run in with coyotes this week.  Thank goodness, her dogs are going to be ok, and her sheep were not injured.  A good reminder to give Bella and Samson an extra hug this morning.  What a blessing they are!
Joining Madge at The View From Right Here for Weekly Top Shot 

Aragorn’s Companions

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And finally, today brings us back to the barnyard and to Aragorn, our four-year-old Border Leicester ram.  He has great bloodlines and throws a wonderful lamb with a long top and beautiful wool.  Almost 75% of his offspring were twins last spring.
Four breeding groups this fall… excitement is in the air… and only about 147 days to go before the first lamb hits the ground this spring.   

Aragorn’s companions:
604    Sweet Pea   Lincoln-Coopworth-Wensleydale
612    Princess   Border Leicester-Coopworth-Wensleydale
616    Rosey   Border Leicester-Coopworth-Wensleydale
716    Harmonia   Coopworth-Border Leicester-Wensleydale
720    Cassidy   Coopworth-Border Leicester-Cotswald-Wensleydale
801    Patience   Border Leicester-Coopworth-Wensleydale
817    Dierdre   Coopworth-Border Leicester-Blue-faced Leicester-Wensleydale
906    Lucy   Romney-Coopworth-Wensleydale
914    Bertha   Coopworth-Border Leicester-Cotswald-Wensleydale
919    Serenity   Border Leicester
1002  Maibh   Border Leicester-Coopworth-Wensleydale
1134  Branna   Coopworth-Blue-faced Leicester-Border Leicester-Cotswald

Liam’s Ladies

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Today brings us to the back pasture and Liam’s lovely group of ladies.  Our gentle giant wethers, Moe and Larry, are hanging out back here also.  This group of ladies was kind enough to pose for individual shots.

613  Hebe   Coopworth-Border Leicester-Wensleydale

922  Funella   Coopworth-Border Leicester-Blue-faced Leicester

722  Jill   Romney-Coopworth-Wensleydale

711  Daisy   Lincoln-Coopworth-Wensleydale
1108  Kiera   Border Leicester-Coopworth-Wensleydale

A Sense of Normalcy

Sheeps & Peeps6 Comments

The farm is getting back to some sense of normalcy.  All the trees are cut off the exterior fencing, so we could get the electric to the hot wires turned back on.  There are still trees that need to be cut in the pastures, but they are not a safety issue.  Where fencing couldn’t be repaired quickly, we set up temporary fencing in new areas.  To make a long story short, all the animals are back in the groups they are supposed to be in… if not in the planned area, at least in a safe area.  
We’re several weeks behind in our breeding preparations, and hope to catch up this weekend.  It’s not the season we planned, but we’re adjusting.  As you can see in the bottom photo, there are still some lingering patches of snow on the north side of the hills.  We’ve been lucky to have about a week of nice, almost 50 degree weather to work in. 
And… as always… it’s great to have our girls back in the barnyard pasture.
Ours prayers are still with all those who were hit by Sandy… friends visited from New Jersey last weekend… the devastation there is unbelievable.

A Message From Muffy

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Before we head out to tackle fallen trees, shattered fiberglass posts, bent and broken temporary fencing, all the while trying to avoid the attention of two very large, free roaming rams… Muffy wanted to let you know that she has been very busy also, having significantly reduced the rodent population in the past week.  The proof, of which, she has brought as gifts to her human friends.  She says, “Hey, I’m just doing my job.”
Hope you have a wonderful day!  It’s cold here, but the sun is shining!