MY Sheep

My gander/sheep affiliation continues to amuse and amaze me. Three of the ewes and the gander were munching on a hay bale when I came by. The gander immediately came to attention.

He then pointedly strutted out from behind the bale, crossed in front of me to the other side of the yard...

to protect the ewe hanging out with the chickens. I might be willing to attack a lone ewe, but everyone knows I'm not going to mess with a Toulouse gander.

Strange Companions

My lone gander has adopted my sheep. Instead of hanging with the other Toulous trio, he hangs with the ewes. The five of them browse the woods for berry leaves, nibble on the remaining grass, and steal hay from the horses (often ignoring the hay I put out for them). 

I've been trying to get photos of them for awhile, and finally found an opportunity. These turned out more interesting than I realized, as they show why the sheep hang with the goose - what these very different creatures offer each other. 

Notice in the first shot the ewe seems unaware of my presence - but the goose is already watching. In the following shots, the ewes are looking just where the goose is. He's their early warning system. The sheep, I assume, offer the gander the safety of being in a group.

 

Enjoying the Sun

Peaceful Moments...

I stopped to take a picture of my peacefully napping sheep (don't worry, they are scheduled to be sheared soon). Notice that most of them are looking at me.

Their attention starts to shift...

As a goose takes exception to them lolling in his territory.

He's got two up, and is working on a third...

Snow Regeneration

There is a strange snow regeneration project going on here. It snows, it warms up, the snow melts down some. Then overnight it renews, and by morning doubles in depth. The dogs didn't quite know what to do with themselves this morning when confronted with a bank of snow to wade through.

Why I Love Geese

It's pouring rain. I'm sitting in the living room looking out the window, thinking gloomy thoughts about rain and mud. What is the point of all this rain, how can this be a good thing?

Then my geese walk by, and one of them drops her head and chest down into the mud, bathing in a puddle. There is never too much water when you are a goose.

Geese!

Photos by Pearl Dunn

The Goose Line

Tired of the Rain

Even the geese seem to have had enough wetness

The chickens have no question about it.

But the goat is so disgusted with the turn in the weather she decided to get into the van to eat. You know that if I wanted her there she'd never load.

Geese!

Heading down the road, looking for trouble.

Finding it. Three sheep tried to interfere with goose food. They were moved on.

Including the ram. No one messes with goose food.

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.

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.

Beware of Geese

Every year the ravens collect and eat goose eggs as soon as they are laid. Last year one pair managed to hatch a clutch by laying in Jesse's crate. This year the other trio have taken over a dog house that was waiting to be moved in with the dogs.  So far it's working great for them - no ravens have predated on these eggs.

It might be better for me if the dog house weren't located in the middle of my driveway, next to the van. The geese now own that plateau, and attempt to keep away all intruders. One must keep a watchful eye when exiting or entering a vehicle. Or the gate.

Along The Road

It was an interesting journey, getting hay.

The geese challenge all vehicles for the right to drive down their lane.

The clouds were low and ominous when it wasn't actually raining. 

The river is swollen and moving swiftly,  getting close to the top of the bank.

Hail had come and gone when I got to the farm, with remnants collected in the hay.

The lime pile, waiting for the fields to get dry enough to allow spreading.

Follow the Geese

Early in the morning I head down the hill to feed the critters. I find I am not the first one to leave tracks in the new snow.

Where would the geese be going early on a snowy morning?

To the first flat spot in the road, where water gathers in puddles under the snow. Geese must bathe. ALL of the prints in the snow except mine on the far left are from the geese.

And then they continued on to the next flatish spot in the road, the next set of puddles. Prints here go in both directions.

And on down to the next set of puddles. The geese may be the only ones happy that gravel roads develop low spots. I didn't realize the geese travelled this far down the road. They may not normally - their pool was damaged when it blew into the woods in the winds preceding this snow.

Birds!

I love my geese. They love life, and lead interesting lives (something to be learned there).

The geese got half way down the drive, then decided to come back up.

What do you think caused this pattern? There are a few of these spots, surrounded by goose prints in a circle. I've no idea what they are doing.

Who, us?

The Peacocks LOVE my vehicles. Here one is admiring that beautiful bird in the bumper.

The Rooster Mob sheltering under the wind-moved shelter.

Another Raven pic! 

Morning Glow

The morning sun lit up the world with a golden glow.