Change of Season

Fall is in the air as the nights begin to cool down and the air becomes sharp and clear. It's time to put aside the homesteading projects for a little while and pick up the camera that has been gathering dust and head into natures world to reconnect with the land.
I included this obviously out of focus frame because I like the effect of the blur on this running fawn.
Some beautiful Wood Ducks shared the morning sun with me.
This was the frame right before he made the big jump!
These nice wild turkeys were kind enough to pose in front of the Bee Hives.
It's only early September but a touch of fall color is already in evidence in the upper marsh.
This Morning Glory contrasted nicely with the Goldenrod, what a beautiful sight!
I was already having a great morning when this gang showed up, it's what is referred to as the icing on the cake! The still water of the river makes for some great reflections on these shots.
Looks like Mama had a good summer and is raising two young ones.
I am off for a few days and hope to add more wildlife shots in the near future.

Chick Magnet

New Chicks are here! The Breed is Buff Orpingtons they are gentle giants suposed to be cold weather hardy and lay lots of big brown eggs.
One reason they are good in the cold is that they have very dense feathering which is already in evidence.
Once they grow up a little they will join the laying flock next door.

Intergrated Systems

Time for an update on the garden
The trellis of cherry tomatoes is a welcome addition you can munch anytime you go by.
We have lots of nice big fruit waiting to ripen they are heading for the canning jars .
We have picked these 3 Saturdays in a row from a small Trellis, made Dilly Beans from the first pickings.
Posting a few looks at my Composters at work.
Yeah I know they look like laying hens but look under their feet.
The Hoop Coop is ready for the new arrivals my Buff Orpington pullets.
The whole garden except what we eat goes into the chicken pen to be recycled into compost for next year. The chickens work for free everyday shredding and turning the compost pile!

No Closed Season

Home this week for the 4th of July Holiday so was able to get out and scout early in the mornings.
One of a few Whitetail Fawns I was lucky enough to see this week.

This ones a cutie, we are both wondering where Her Mama is.

This early morning sighting has a surprise hiding in the long grass.

It was raining when I took this shot, you can see the wet look on this one.

Mama finally appeared out of the ditch and took ownership of her little one.

This one was definitely camera shy.

One of my favorites you can now see the little one standing up in the high grass and reflected in the water.

How did you Guys get in here ? These were some yard birds we saw on our travels.

Its been very rainy and cloudy all week here it was nice to get the sun shining on one this morning. I was out walking in my moccasins and had the advantage of seeing Her first.

June

Time for an update on the chickens they are chicks no more as evidenced by this shot of one of the Barred Rock Pullets.



This was an early morning shot I thought was in keeping with the livestock theme.

A recent Saturday project building the Nesting Boxes.

This is how big the Rhode Island Red pullets are now!

Four nest Condo under constuction, who says there is a downturn in home building.

Ah my long awaited chance at a newborn fawn, I was thrilled to have this opourtunity with my camera.

This Peek A Boo shot was the result of an early morning scout.

I was feeling kind of old on this one, I had to hurry up to catch him and he almost beat me.

Another look as I catch my breath.

One more of the Baby too.

Thanks for checking in

Garden Update

Here's a new look at the old ground. you can see some hills in the foreground those are pumpkins and in the background are tomato cages and trellis panels for beans and cukes.
Still picking rocks but most of the large ones have been dealt with.

The new home for those stones is this wall that Susan is building, Its a beautiful addition to our garden.

The chicks have been moved into their permanent home.

Cool temps have them hanging out under the heat lamp.

Adopt a Chicken

Due to the unexpected response to the Adopt a Chicken program, as promised here are some individual looks at the perspective candidates with a brief description for each. Number One is a Barred Rock chick that has a large white spot on the top of his head much like a chickadee!
Number Two is a Rhode Island Red this one is very neat and dainty, definitely a Girly Girl.

Number Three, this Red has a dark reddish color with orange stripes like a creamsicle.

Number four has wings much more developed than the others, she likes to spread her wings and try to fly.

Number Five has a smaller white spot, she is a guardian and watches out for and protects her little sister Dinky.

Last but not least Number six is the littlest chick She is a character and is always getting into trouble. When I took her picture she was the only one who escaped and I had to chase her around the yard to catch her.

Have fun picking out and naming your favorite chick!