We have a rule here on the homestead - everything here has a place in the cycle of life. Animals that we raise here are healthy, happy and enjoying life. Chickens enjoy their chickeness; pigs enjoy their pigness. They can go outside whenever they like, they can chase bugs and search for worms; they can plow up their pastures. Pretty much, whatever they like to do, … [Read more...]
The Yellow Rope – an Update
Early in the gardening season, I had made the decision that I could NOT allow any deer in the garden. Not. Even. One. With all the garden planning that Jaime and I were doing, we knew early on that we were going to be investing so much more time in the garden this year than I had in the past. And I normally spend a lot of time in there each year. Look, I really don't mind deer, I actually … [Read more...]
Birds in the Valley
We have all kinds of birds in the Valley right now - the pastures in front of our house are filled with birdsong and it's wonderful to sit on the porch and listen to all the different kinds of calls. We have Sandhill Cranes, American Bittern, Wilson Snipes, Blue Jays and lots of others. This is a great place to be a birder! Here's some pictures of just some of the birds in our Valley. They … [Read more...]
The Problem with Deer…
A couple of weeks ago, I saw a large doe come through our yard, in fact, she walked right below the main garden. I wondered if it was the same doe that has been coming around for a couple of years. This one had a fairly large belly, I thought. Now, I know why. Here's what I saw late yesterday afternoon. This fawn is really tiny, I don't think it is very old at all. It is … [Read more...]
Sand Hill Cranes
I have tried so many times over the last six years to get some good photos of the Sandhill Cranes that come to the Valley each Spring. It is so hard to get some good shots. The other day, I tried again. These are the best photos I have taken so far. (No, I don't use Photoshop...it is what it is) It figures that later that same day I saw them on the … [Read more...]