Pool and a strut

Today was a humid, hot one. After Justin's nap we bundled him into the car and headed off for Grandad's for a cool dip. The water turned out to be about 78° and so we are able to spend about two hours soaking in the pool. Of course Justin wanted to go in the spa after even though the spa was at 104°.

Then I pruned some trees for Dad which resulted in a broken satellite dish a.k.a. no more Internet for Dad. Then we jumped back in the car and headed back home.

When we got home we were treated to one of our poults displaying with the big boys, strutting and spitting with the best of them.

Which of the two is more impressive?

He even tried a little gobble when the others let loose :)

The guinea fowl interrupted the photo shoot to show off their own beautiful plumage and brightly coloured wattles.

And the Bearded Lady was protective of her babies but still allowed a photo or two.

Great day, great company :)

Evenings are so peaceful

It seems that the evenings are the best time for photos. Not only has the frantic morning pace subsided after a day of sand baths, bug and grass eating and sun bathing, but the lighting also makes for great shots. I do love the mornings but there is definitely something almost magical about doing the rounds in the evening when everyone is winding down and getting ready for sleep.

Justin spent about two and a half hours in the wading pool and had a blast when we kicked it up a notch by combing a play structure with the pool.

As usual the guniea fowl are active until the last minute.

Twister had to come out of the barn and say hi one last time before "lights out".

The poults are very comfortable flying and perch up off the ground like "big birds" where as the chicks still huddle together in a corner to bed down for the night.

Pork Chop has clearly been rooting around for a few final bites to eat before bedtime and the cows, as usual, are deadpan and stare at you in what I once thought was a creepy way. Now that i have raised Faith from a small 300lbs calf to a "huge", beautiful, lady cow, i am less disturbed by the emotionless bovine stares.

What a great day

A relaxing afternoon for everyone at the farm today.

Maya spent some time in the hammock with me...

... While the guys were walking by...

... The other guys are enjoying the pool

I love coming home to these guys

Doing the rounds in the evening is a lot of fun since I get to spend time with Justin and see all the farmlife bathed in the beautiful rays of a golden sun. The birds all came out for a last scratch in the dirt and bit of grain. Even Twister came out to join them.

The pigs were having a little bedtime feast from the "slops" bucket, topped off with some eggs.

Farming can be tough

For those of you who never had the chance to meet her, this was Lindsay. She was a pygmy goat who had been purchased by the original owner for a live nativity scene. They didn't realize when they got her that she was pregnant and she soon gave birth to little Twister. When we purchased her they were trying to get rid of the goats, a sheep and a miniature donkey. We brought her and Twister home and quickly learned that goats will do whatever it is that you do not want them to do, particularly when it comes to eating things like plants and trees that you are trying to grow.

Unfortunately that also includes  going into the street to eat on the other side. Yesterday Twister darted out into the road causing an oncoming truck to swerve and hit Lindsay who came out right after her kid. It was not a big hit but it broke her back just above her tail and fractured her hips. This brought to bare the full weight of living on a farm and having a hand in the circle of life. With Lindsay panting in pain and struggling every once in awhile to stand without success, letting out a pain filled bleat, it was up to me to end her sufffering.

It is awesome to be part of a farm as you watch animals grow and have their own babies but every once in awhile it can be tougher than imagined when the reality of what we are doing hits home and its time to put an end to a life. This is made even harder when the end is sooner than you had expected. 

Night time can be the right time

The sun is setting and its 9 PM. You have to love the summer for that. And what a beatiful sunset... It makes it all worthwhile :)

As usual, Amber tried to sleep in the garage instead of the barn... And now i have become The Chickener!

And we cannot forget to say goodnight to our smallest "no mum" turkey poults who are brooding in the summer kitchen for the next few weeks before going out to the barn :)

Garden

Garden is getting there!!! All is done, we only need to wait. Because I hurt my lower back pretty bad, I'm 2-3 weeks behind schedule so, while my good friend -let's call her A- (who gave me tomatoes, kale, onion, cabbage and potatoes by the way!) is posting pics of her wonderful garden, showing what she harvested, well... I'm waiting!

I added beans, cucumbers, melons and squash!!!

Can't wait to harvest my veggies!!!