Successful Geese

Ravens are wonderful and intelligent creatures. I love watching them fly and play and solve problems. My geese don't have such a high view of them.

Geese don't sit on their nests until they have the required amount of eggs. They lay an egg every couple days, hide the nest well with brush, and go about their daily business.

This tactic works well most of the time. But not with ravens. The ravens watch the geese, see where they nest, watch them carefully hide the eggs and leave. Breakfast.

I moved one pair of geese to my fenced chicken area and put a couple of dog crates inside the kennel the chickens roost in. This seems to be a defensible area.

The goose chose one of the crates and is happily sitting on a bunch of eggs.

The gander provides the protection. Unless you are a chicken you are not allowed in or near the kennel entrance. The ravens come by regularly, perching on a chair just out of goose neck reach, peering in at the yummy eggs. Fortunately they haven't yet found a way past the sentry.

Folding Clouds

These clouds looked so soft I wanted to touch them, to rest into them, to feel the folds.

Spiders!

But - this is just a pile of horse droppings! Look closer. The white stuff? That's spider webs.

Photo by Veryl Ann Grace

Spiders. Searching out flies where they live.

Lazin' In the Sun

Hatched Today

Photo by Veryl Ann Grace

Sprouting Horns!

My ram lambs are all growing substantial horns - they look so cute. I think one of the ewes has a pair emerging too. All are healthy and growing fast, jumping and running and generally enjoying life.

Trey

Doing what he loves best - snuggling into the down comforters

"What - you don't want me OFF, do you?"

Deciding to look photogenic

Shy Hannah

She isn't really shy, she's very outgoing - but wasn't cooperating for pictures.

Charlie and Friends

Charlie doesn't mind that his shelter is no longer on it's legs, it still stops the rain. It seems several of his friends feel the same. There are 4 peahens and 2 roosters sharing the shelter.

Berna!

Berna's been feeling left out. Charlie and Jesse get their pictures in here regularly, but she doesn't.

Waiting for Breakfast

"You AREN'T using THAT picture!

And WHEN will you feed me?"

After eating, a different attitude

My beautiful girl

Awakening Maples

Reminders of Past Glory

More April Storms

New snow in the mountains. The latest storm hasn't arrived there yet.

The storm billowing in.

Dark clouds set off by the new leaves.

The leading edge of the latest storm. Shortly after this picture was taken the wind came up and it started to rain.

More clouds on their way from the east.

Passing Storm

Seabrights

Seabrights are my favorite chickens. Besides their lovely markings, they have the most interesting personalities. The roosters take care of the hens and chicks, letting them eat special treats first and sounding alarms at the first sign of danger.

My original Golden Seabright hen. She is quite tame, having decided early on that it makes sense to befriend the food-bringer. Seabright eggs are small, but make excellent breakfasts. They are also handy when dividing a recipe in half. Ready made half eggs.

One of the beautiful Golden Seabright roosters. They are unique in that the roosters have "hen feathering" - no long tail and neck feathers.

A Silver Seabright roo. I love their upright stance and self-assurance. They don't realize they are only a handful of bird.

Contemplation

The Hoarder

Spring!

Warm weather, sunny skies, and buds bursting out into leaf. Spring is such an exciting time of year.

Mount Rainier is a fine backdrop for trees starting to leaf out.

The cottonwoods are covered in green. They are the first trees to leaf out and welcome the longer days. I love the many shades of green and blue that set off white Mount Saint Helens.

Qigong Energy Healing - Free Distant Healing Session

Qigong is an ancient and amazing practice that I find invaluable in my life. Today I came across Michael Mohoric's Facebook presence, and was filled with energy just as I read his words. He offers free distant healing sessions. Check it out - this is powerful energy.

From his blog:

I'm doing another free distant energy healing session for everyone who wants to join. The main healing session will be on Sunday March 28, 2010 from 7-8pm Pacific Time (PDT) or Los Angeles, Ca. Time (10-11pm EDT).

You can join this free distant energy healing session by using your intention to be included. If you wish to join, just close your eyes for a minute when you read this and mentally say that you intend to join the session and want to be included. That is all you have to do to connect with the energy and you don't have to do anything else. Healing energy can begin to flow to you once you do this as many people who have done this before have reported. I'll be doing unscheduled energy adjustments leading up to the March 28 main session and you can receive a lot of healing energy before the main session on Sun. March 28.

March Evening Sky

Livestock Guardian Dogs at Work

Dennis Loxton has written a delightful article "Bear Dogs: A Silvicultural Tool" about using Great Pyrenees and other Livestock Guardian Dogs to protect sheep, shepherds, and silvicultural workers in the interior of British Columbia.

It is a wonderful account filled with great pictures. Thanks to the Great Pyrenees Club of Southern Ontario for getting permission to reprint the article, and to Dennis Loxton for writing it.

Road Block!

Waiting for Breakfast

Out in Front

Signs of Spring

On the fence Peacock

his tail's many eyes open

heart stopping beauty

white flowers and green

spring patterns amidst the trees

warm the heart and soul

yellow daffodils

sway and nod in wind and rain

reminders of spring

Mixed Crowd