Like Mother Like Daughter

I'm reading about horse body language, how adept they are at reading subtle movements, and how to use that in training and communicating with them.

Watching the relationship between Magic and her new filly, this is so very obvious. The filly mimics Magic's movements constantly.

Besides the survival language - "come closer," "avoid that" - the filly stands like Magic stands, moves like Magic moves.

There is constant communication. The slightest twitch of an ear is noticed and responded to.

What a rich language this is, and how fun to study it with a mare and foal.

Jupiter and Friend

Jupiter gleamed in the darkening dusk. I watched with awe, a planet so far away, shining so brightly in the evening sky. I missed the moon that rose above it the other night in such a beautiful pairing. As I thought this, I saw the golden orb slip above the mountains, rays of saffron light shining through the trees. Once again, I am blessed by moonlight.

Napping in the Shade

Newest Resident

Harvest Moon

I walked out the door and stopped in awe at the sight of the harvest moon and jupiter.

There are more shadows from this very bright moon than from the sun much of the day. This is good, as my flashlight batteries all died at the same time, and I haven't bought more yet. Blessed by moonlight.

As I finished my night rounds I noticed lacy clouds striding across the sky. They reached the moon as I reached my camera.

The Chinese are celebrating at their Mid-Autumn Festival, a two-day holiday where families get together, eat moon cakes, and enjoy the full moon - an auspicious token of abundance, harmony and luck.

Spiders!

Fall is the time of spiders. Their webs can be found everywhere.

This web is holding water from a recent shower. It's amazing a web can hold so much water without breaking.

This one is a bit harder to see, partly because it's much larger than one would expect. This giant orb appeared at the end of the my friend's deck, without apparent support. After close investigation he discovered a strand between the rain gutter and the upturned table leg. That strand supports the entire web!

In this close up you can see the diagonal strand on the upper left that supports the web.

Photos (and investigation) by Ken Stallcup.

Magical Morning

Morning Visitor

Mountains In The Clouds

Mount St. Helens

Dogs and Mysteries

My friend Veryl Ann Grace is publishing a mystery, Murder Spins a Tale, that has Great Pyrenees as two of the characters. Her blog Flock 'N' Fiber Mysteries has the first chapter as well as some background information - including photos of her own lovely Pyrs. Her most recent post also quotes a story I wrote several years ago about one of her Pyrs coming to visit my farm for a couple weeks. Check it out!

Flock 'N' Fiber Mysteries

Charlie's Domain

Charlie has made himself a new sentry spot. He dug it out from the hill. Notice the chickens in the background, hanging near him.

As you can see, his "dug out" neatly contains his body. It is next to the main path, but not on it.

From this spot he can see the drive up to the house...

The lower buildings (the horses hang out just below those buildings)...

And if he turns his head, up the hill to the house. A perfect location for keeping an eye on everything and everyone.

Feeding Time

Porcupine 4, Dogs 0

Dogs and porcupines. The dogs just don't realize that they can't win, even if they manage to kill the porcupine. Charlie is the latest victim. He saw a porcupine lumbering slowing up the road, and knew he needed to kill this predator. I got to him quickly and pulled him off, but not before he got quills in the nose, lips and cheek.

The quills hurt when they are in, they hurt when they come out. There's no winning with porcupines.

These pics don't show the quills stuck in the side of his head and neck, poor boy.

Another Fine Morning

We've had a number of glorious mornings lately that I can't resist sharing. I love the clouds, and the mists in the hills.

Rising Fog

I awoke to a misty white world, chilly at under 50 deg. By 9:00 the mists began to rise, revealing blue sky, green trees, and a golden sun.

A new world emerges

Clearing in the south uncovers con trails and low clouds

The bank of clouds snaking south along the valley - I'm glad to be high above

Epis Growing Up

My epi starts are sprouting and growing. Hopefully next year there will be lots of blooms!