Around The Farm

Geese

It's been raining a lot again. Water is piling up. This pond is in the middle of my road.

But the geese thing it's great. They truck up here every day for a good bathing and some fresh grass.

Then they march back down to the safer areas by the houses. It's good to have someone around who thinks this weather is really spiffy.

Lush Results of Rain

We get a lot of rain, and the results are lush and green. 

Uncertain Skies

Darkness and Light

A dark cloud came out of the south and rapidly covered the sky, bringing the darkness of night and filling the sky with rain, the ground with mud. 

Then a break appeared, the sun shone through.

That special light of sunshine in a world of dark cloud lit the earth. The trees glowed. The colors intensified.

Charlie is not amused. He is choosing to ignore this day, this night in day, this rain, this mud.

I sympathize.

Neighbors

These two live along the road to the library. Such a beautiful pair!

There Are Days (part 2)...

I easily got Cami and Molly Mule into a new field, as part of my reorganization plan. "Things are going well" I thought. Then the other horses went out of sight, and Cami realized she couldn't go with them. She panicked, and started running along the fence. 

Cami was abandoned where she was being boarded, and since she liked and trusted me they asked if I would take her. We think she was abused by a male rider sometime in her past, as she really didn't like anyone but me and intensely disliked men. Since she's been here she's calmed down and is very sweet. I really hope to eventually be able to ride her. She has a lovely gait, and look at that Arab tail!

Beautiful as she is to watch, she was shaking, and I was concerned she'd try to jump the fence. She is now back out with her herd. I think that she feels safe here with her draft horse companions, for the first time in a long while. Being separated from them took her right out of that safety zone. I'll work more slowly at this separation business.

While I was debating what to do, I thought I'd check the fence line, since the hot wire hasn't been working. Yesterday I climbed over the fence (and under the hot wire) to visit Pheroah, and I tried that again today. I touched the hot wire with my hand, and next thing I knew I was on my ass on the ground. One thing I've learned recently: if I unexpectedly end up on my butt on the ground, the best thing to do is to lie back and enjoy the view for awhile. Take in the sights and sounds. Then, when my body is again calm and relaxed, get up and back to work.

Lesson of the day: always unplug the charger before handling the electric wire.

There Are Days...

I love working on my farm. I might not enjoy every task, or the amount of each task, but I love the physical labor and the fitness it brings. There are, however, some days when it seems excessive.

Yesterday my wonderful friend and neighbor picked up a huge load of hay for me. We unloaded the pickup into my shelter, and then covered the trailer with tarps - the trailer will stay here until the hay is fed out. We were both tired and sore and slept well last night.

Trailer load minus 10 bales

Today I spent some time examining the load, trying to figure out the best way to extract bales from it. These bales weigh 90 - 150 lbs, so it takes some thinking. I was doing pretty well at getting them down one at a time (instead of triggering an avalanche), but kept getting drenched with water cascading off the tarps. It was, of course, pouring rain.

Loading the downed bales into the van was less scary but more intense. I realized somewhere along the way that it's like lifting a person my size from the ground into the van ten times. No wonder I'm exhausted and sitting here drying off with a cup of hot, luscious coffee.

Spring Greenery

I'm going to have to disconnect the bottom wire of my electric fence for the rest of Spring. Plant growth may be late, but it's making up for lost time. This lovely little Oak Fern, according to my book on NW Native Plants, "forms rampant patches" on the forest floor. It's too pretty to pull up.

Surviving Flowers

I planted Ajuga reptans a couple years ago on the hill next to my parking area. I thought it would provide a pretty border between the road and the native plants above. That summer was extremely dry and hot, and the winters have been cold. Between harsh weather and bunny intrusion, I thought it had all died. Now a small patch has reappeared and is blooming nicely. Hello, and welcome.

Ellensburg

Hitchhiker

I opened up the van to get hay, and found this little guy! He didn't seem concerned in the least with my presence.

When I started moving hay around he scurried up towards the front of the van, under some of the bales. Probably not a good move on his part. Hopefully he'll find his way back out again.

A friend has identified this little guy as an Alligator Lizard - the only lizards that live in this area.

More Zander

My beautiful puppy, being his energetic self.

Sudden Growth

The world has gone from brown to green. Grass was 3" high one day, 3' the next. It is totally amazing. I've been cutting tall canary grass from the side of the lane for the horses. Bear grabbed a mouthful and then stuck his head out to be pet. He's a very social horse.

Driving Home

I live on a very busy lane. There are only two houses and neither of us drive much, but the lane is usually occupied. Coming home today I met this view.

The peacock is displaying to the neighbor's car, just to the left.  Further along is a peahen and a donkey.

Two peahens, it turns out, and Polly the Donkey. Polly doesn't usually move off the road just because there's a car coming up it. She must have been heading for this patch of grass.

Isn't she adorable?

She's working herself up to a bray...

And is here in full voice. It's never dull on Ravenwood Lane.

Jesse Holds His Own

Jesse, 60 lb, 12 year old Samoyed is the only one of my dogs willing to go head to head (in play) with Zander, 100 lb, 11 month old Anatolian. He'll even take food away from Zander, which is an amazing feat. I love watching them play, they are both so obviously happy.

The Illusive Goose

One of my trios of geese has been missing a member. For some time I've only seen two of them, the third no where to be found.

The remaining two hang out together - but one mud puddle isn't big enough for both of them.

This puddle is only a few inches deep. It's amazing how a goose can make it look like a small pond.

As I came back from the mud puddle area, I noticed my neighbor mowing his lawn and stopped to say hi. He waved me into the yard. While mowing, he found Goose #3, just beyond his fence, sitting on a nest of goslings! She found a safe area surrounded by old cages and the fence, and obviously well protected from the ravens. Goslings! Clever goose.

Sunny Day Sunset

A Big Leaf Maple, just leafing out, lit up by the setting sun.

Golden setting sun, shining bright.

Lovely sunset, from the highway.