Punxsutawney Phil has spoken….well, not actually spoken but if we are to believe what a particularly miserable looking groundhog (who looks like his hibernation was cut short by a bunch of funny looking men in very funny hats and tuxedos) predicts, Spring is on the way. To us here on the ranch, surrounded by nature, this is not a surprise !!!
On the positive side, Bran the Border Collie ( aka terrorist) has been unusually co-operative of late. We had become accustomed to regularly having the sheep round up the dog and if we wanted a cattle stampede we’d just allow Bran access to the cow pen. We have had a canine transformation and amazingly, our pooch with the IQ of a genius is starting to use his brain
In the chicken pen, Tux the big black rooster who wanted to be a chicken has a strut in his stride as he challenges Ernie the battle weary Barred Rock for “rooster rights” over his feathered harem, it seems Spring has sprung in the Chicken shack. Unfortunately it is not only Ernie and Tux that are feeling Spring…all the young Rhode Island Red roosters are “roostering” too !
Starbuck the black Appaloosa with no spots is also feeling the change in the season and poor Charm the golden palomino ( beauty with attitude) has had to recognise that he only gets to the hay feeder when Starbuck has had his fill, only drinks if Starbuck isn’t thirsty and can be sure that the grass he is about to graze was destined to be just exactly where Starbuck was about to graze.
In the pasture the warmer temperatures and the changing smells of the new season are bringing on a power struggle between the two senior cows. Daisy Mae and Molly Moo. There was an unnatural commotion in the pasture yesterday…Bran noticed it and headed off down the barn at twice the speed of sound, Tiger noticed it and cocked one sleepy eye ( it wasn’t dinner time ), Lucky noticed it and with a rigid tail and stiff legs he haughtily stalked around the corner of the horse stalls to check out the cause of the disturbance. Molly Moo and Daisy Mae were in the middle of a heated battle. The sound of clashing skulls echoed around the valley accompanied by booming moos as the two cows scuffled in a growing mud bath. Misty the beautiful golden jersey heifer, well used keeping a low profile to avoid confrontation with her much heavier and stronger barn companions was very far from invisible and apparently enjoying the spectacle which on this occasion didn’t involve her. Tail hooked over her back she was running in circles around the oblivious combatants…if she had been human, Misty would have been the instigator in the school playground shouting “FIGHT” !!!
The sound of geese returning from their Winter migration has filled the air over the past few days reminding us that Gertie the goose may well be on her way home. We have been assuming that Gertie would come back to the pond on which she hatched but watching the visiting geese on final approach, honking loudly and landing gear in place we realised that if she is now one of a pair….whose pond ??? DOH !
Just going to take a second to thank whoever suggested that I should be included in the final listing for the CITIZEN OF THE YEAR AWARD ! I am so honoured that the people of the Key Peninsula even considered me and in awe of the whole concept….Greg said that it was the first time he had EVER seen me speechless. THANK YOU for thinking of me, I don’t expect to be awarded THE citizen but it is AMAZING to be even listed amongst some very awe inspiring fellow citizens.
Time to get moving, the cuckoo clock has spoken. Take care keep safe, M
On the positive side, Bran the Border Collie ( aka terrorist) has been unusually co-operative of late. We had become accustomed to regularly having the sheep round up the dog and if we wanted a cattle stampede we’d just allow Bran access to the cow pen. We have had a canine transformation and amazingly, our pooch with the IQ of a genius is starting to use his brain
In the chicken pen, Tux the big black rooster who wanted to be a chicken has a strut in his stride as he challenges Ernie the battle weary Barred Rock for “rooster rights” over his feathered harem, it seems Spring has sprung in the Chicken shack. Unfortunately it is not only Ernie and Tux that are feeling Spring…all the young Rhode Island Red roosters are “roostering” too !
Starbuck the black Appaloosa with no spots is also feeling the change in the season and poor Charm the golden palomino ( beauty with attitude) has had to recognise that he only gets to the hay feeder when Starbuck has had his fill, only drinks if Starbuck isn’t thirsty and can be sure that the grass he is about to graze was destined to be just exactly where Starbuck was about to graze.
In the pasture the warmer temperatures and the changing smells of the new season are bringing on a power struggle between the two senior cows. Daisy Mae and Molly Moo. There was an unnatural commotion in the pasture yesterday…Bran noticed it and headed off down the barn at twice the speed of sound, Tiger noticed it and cocked one sleepy eye ( it wasn’t dinner time ), Lucky noticed it and with a rigid tail and stiff legs he haughtily stalked around the corner of the horse stalls to check out the cause of the disturbance. Molly Moo and Daisy Mae were in the middle of a heated battle. The sound of clashing skulls echoed around the valley accompanied by booming moos as the two cows scuffled in a growing mud bath. Misty the beautiful golden jersey heifer, well used keeping a low profile to avoid confrontation with her much heavier and stronger barn companions was very far from invisible and apparently enjoying the spectacle which on this occasion didn’t involve her. Tail hooked over her back she was running in circles around the oblivious combatants…if she had been human, Misty would have been the instigator in the school playground shouting “FIGHT” !!!
The sound of geese returning from their Winter migration has filled the air over the past few days reminding us that Gertie the goose may well be on her way home. We have been assuming that Gertie would come back to the pond on which she hatched but watching the visiting geese on final approach, honking loudly and landing gear in place we realised that if she is now one of a pair….whose pond ??? DOH !
Just going to take a second to thank whoever suggested that I should be included in the final listing for the CITIZEN OF THE YEAR AWARD ! I am so honoured that the people of the Key Peninsula even considered me and in awe of the whole concept….Greg said that it was the first time he had EVER seen me speechless. THANK YOU for thinking of me, I don’t expect to be awarded THE citizen but it is AMAZING to be even listed amongst some very awe inspiring fellow citizens.
Time to get moving, the cuckoo clock has spoken. Take care keep safe, M
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