Robins Of The Year

Earlier this week - I hope it was Tuesday and not Monday - the neighbor across the road had a crew come through and clear out his fence row.  I felt bad for any wildlife that had been used to having cover over there, but didn't think any further about it.  Tuesday's weather was almost tolerable. Wednesday was brutally hot.

It never cooled off enough last night to open the windows and turn the AC off.  Anyone who knows me knows how. hot. that. meant. it. was.  It was 72 at 6:00 this morning.  At least it was overcast at times and I worked around the farm and then at lunchtime headed to town to deliver some printing for Tim.

As I pulled out of our driveway and started down the lane I saw it.  A robin nest sitting on top of a now completely exposed fence post.  Not just a nest, but an adult robin standing over some babies. Open mouthed panting. I felt sick.

I couldn't get to town and back fast enough (luckily just a few minutes away).  Saint Tim and I formulated a plan en route and when I got home I gathered up some pine branches and wire ties and headed down the road.  The adult was still standing over the nest, but darted away as I approached.

I didn't waste any time taking any pictures and didn't really look into the nest any more than to see that the babies were still alive.  The branches went up easier than I thought they might and I think they'll hold at least for a few days...unless we get a big storm.  Fingers crossed. I then grabbed my binoculars and moved away to see if the parents would be willing to come back.  They did.  

Not only did they come back to feed the babies, but they both were feeding the babies, not one standing in the nest...and it dawned on me that one of those adults had spent the last few days standing over their babies trying to provide as much shade as they could.  That is not a dumb animal.

Let me introduce you to the robins of the year!   

The pictures aren't great because I didn't want to bother them.  They'd had enough stress the last couple of days.  I sat out on the other side of the wet weather creek in the blazing sun.  You know, my favorite thing to do during my favorite season of the year :-o. 

You may be able to click to biggify.

They cautiously approach and then swoop right in.  Hard to capture.

This last picture was taken from The Unit, parked up next to the garage in the shade just a few minutes ago.  I've been stalking them off and on all afternoon (with Weaslie and an ice cold beverage ;-), just to make sure everything is going okay.  Everything seems good.  

Interestingly, while I was sitting there, a robin flew over and landed on the fence next to me.  It stared at me for a good while and then flew down into the pasture.  It joined up with another bird and they both hunted around, slowly working their way over towards the nest.  I can't swear they were the "right" birds, but the behavior was curious and if so...you're welcome :-).

Good Morning!

Baaxter was the first lamb who Had To Go Out first thing in the morning.  He was always so rowdy that I was just happy he had something to do while I tried to drink coffee and catch up with him each morning. Liddy was much easier.  She'd graze for a bit and then come over and snuggle up for a long nap.

Bullwinkle likes to eat.  He wants to get up early and get out there.  I've got him staying (pretty) quiet until 6:00 and then we get up.  And go eat.  He'll check in with me for a couple seconds, but goes back to eating.  He'll check in again and then back out to eat.  The third time he comes over, he'll lay down and take a nap.  With a full tummy :-).

All the cats come out with us.  And Kate.  Tilly hangs out on the porch until she thinks there might be some food involved.  She's not an early riser.  It's light even though the sun hasn't crested the trees.

It's really not darker now that the sun is coming up.  I metered my light for the sunrise, which darkened everything else up.  The sheep and grass actually look more like the next picture...but the sun is blown out.  It's all give and take.  Which do you like best?

That's Andy and Liddy on the left.  The early risers.  Some sheep like to sleep in, too.

Bullwinkle, doing a little weed trimming for Saint Tim :-).

And a purple martin coming in, for kbdoolin :-D.  This is the second year for the martin house.  We had one pair that settled in and raised (I think) three babies.  I believe they are raising a second clutch.  I'm hoping we'll have even more living here next year.

There are some more fun morning (and afternoon and evening) pictures on my Instagram feed.  Yes, I'm now using Instagram.  In my spare time...  Sigh...  It's actually pretty fun.  Give it a try or just follow along.

Good morning!

An Amazing Story I Just Had To Share

A couple years ago I somehow found a neat sheep ranching blog - from out west.  Or maybe she found me - regarding Hug a Sheep Day.  I don't always remember how everyone finds everyone, we just treasure the finds we all make, eh?  :-)

Tucked away in the bottom of her Furry Friends/Meet the Characters page is the most beautiful sheep movie I've ever seen.  Like make you cry it's so beautiful.  Her husband made it.  Here, go watch it and then come back for the rest of the story.

 

So, with Hug a Sheep Day just around the corner I thought I should check in with her...and found this amazing story. 

 

Now that's a sheep I'd love to hug!

Thanks for sharing her story, Veronica :-).

A Tribute To Friendship

Many of my furried, finned and feathered friends are old. When the end comes, it's really no surprise, but that doesn't make it any easier. A couple of months ago one of my Cory Catfish passed. I had two small catfish living with my beloved Betta, "Campfire" - a huge brown and orange, heavily finned, beautiful fish. When I put their food in that morning, no one came up to greet me. Well, the Cories aren't super friendly, but Campfire, like most animals on this farm, was a good eater and never turned down a meal. Upon closer inspection, I found him and the remaining Cory sitting with their dead friend.

Now this isn't the first time I'd seen what appeared to be friendship among my fish. I used to leave the fish in the tank when I cleaned it and once unknowingly flipped a rock over and caught one of the catfish underneath. As I was putting away the cleaning supplies, I noticed a commotion in the tank and saw the other catfish trying to push the rock off his friend. I'm not kidding. There was nothing to question. However, in this case, even as I wanted to say these two fish were either trying to protect, comfort or mourning the loss of their friend, I had to consider that it might be just a coincidence.

This morning, Campfire did not come up to eat. He's very old and I knew we were on borrowed time. He was still alive, but failing. I considered a humane euthanasia (yes, this is sometimes the kindest thing and there are ways to do it - no fish should ever suffer), but he seemed "okay". I left to run some errands and when I got home, he was gone. Now, not so amazingly, his friend, the remaining Cory was right by his side. Once is a coincidence. Twice is real. I can only think he was providing some sort of comfort for his friend and while I never really questioned it before, will never, ever believe fish don't have feelings. And while I feel a bit creepy posting this sad picture, I wanted "proof" for anyone who might doubt my story.