The First Chick

It happened a little over four weeks ago.

After sitting on her clutch of six eggs for three weeks, the first little peep hatched.

Mama was very protective yet proud to show us her baby chick.

Over the next couple of days two more little ones joined the first.

We candled the other three eggs, and since they didn't have any chicks, we removed them from the nest box.

Watching these little chicks grow has been a great experience.

And watching Mama teach them has brought many smiles.

To see these small chicks mimicking the larger ones is too cute - especially the dust bathes.

More pics to come, for sure!

Brooding Hens

Along with the flowers and the green grass of spring, all the little animal babies are beginning to arrive.

The goats were the first to bring new life to the farm, then came the brooding hens.

Now, these ladies are not to be messed with.

They are very serious about sitting on their eggs, and they will put up with no nonsense.

Especially from the humans around them.

No sweet talking them for them and forget about touching them.

The raptors from Jurassic Park are reincarnated in these hens.

Noise included.

All the feathers on the head stand on end - that's the first warning to come no closer.

The raptor noise starts, deep in the throat, if you pay no mind to that first warning.

Now, if you have a fairly pleasant hen normally, she will not attack with a peck.

She'll just keep up with the feathers and grumbling.

But a more aggressive one has no problem delivering a few pecks to the hand.

These mama hens pluck their belly feathers, deny themselves sun light and dirt baths, and stay in the coop to keep their clutches safe and warm.

They eat very little so they don't have to leave their nests.

This goes on for 21 days.

When the chicks arrive, they are a whole different hen.

And they are a joy to watch with their little followers scampering around the yard!

The Chickens

By the end of May, the chickens that were hatched on March 1st were almost three months old.

They had been kept indoors due to their small size and the cold nights that we have in northern New England.

So coming to a new home in a hay filled coop was going to be some different for them.

The long trip from my daughter's house didn't seem to bother them too much.

And they took to the coop like they had always been in it.

By instinct, I guess, they knew to go in to the enclosed part at night.

We kept them in the coop with the built in pen for a couple of days so they could get used to it.

Then we opened the door.

Three of them couldn't wait to get out and explore their new surroundings.

One of the hens was quite timid about leaving, but once out, they all stuck together.

They stayed around the outside of the coop for a couple of weeks until they got braver.

They are now free ranging all over the yard - eating all the bugs, seeds, and greenery they want.

Three hens with their rooster protector.

And do they have names - but of course - all pets do!

The Coop

It has been a while since my last post.

And it has been a very busy spring and summer this year.

The warm weather started with a construction project.

Now, neither of us are experienced in this activity, but we used our wits and came up with a plan.

We needed a small chicken coop for four new life forms that were going to be joining us in a matter of weeks.

We each drew what we thought would work, and when we compared our diagrams, we had drawn the same style of coop.

That was a good start - no disagreements to overcome.

My main concern - it had to be strong enough to withstand the many types of wildlife that visit us regularly.

I don't want my chickens to be their meals.

We built it sturdy and strong - both the coop and the attached pen.

Thick wood and hardware cloth instead of chicken wire will hopefully keep them safe.

Comparing what we built with the ones available at the hardware store, I would say we did a fine job.

The cost was minimal as we recycled most of the parts.

After adding the hay, the chickens new home was ready - and just in the nick of time for their arrival!

Surprise Visitor

For those that have followed my blog, you know that last spring we had an opossum problem.

They were living under our house, and we repeatedly set a have-a-heart trap to catch and relocate them.

After catching nine opossum, we caught two skunks and one very hairy and large raccoon.

We figured we caught all the opossum.

We started hearing noises again this fall and put the trap back into action.

The opossum have returned - but only one so far.

This morning we looked out the window to see the trap had sprung.

And what was in there?

A Blue Jay.

Having a fit and making his loud calls of protest at being caught.

And sitting on top of the trap was another one watching him flap back and forth inside.

Seventeen degrees was too cold for my camera and me, but what a sight it was.

He was set free and the trap is ready again - hopefully that bird learned his lesson.

And we can get back to relocating another opossum family - one by one.

ABC Wednesday - S is for Sandpipers

S is for Sandpipers..........




 

These little guys were so hard to photograph.

Not only are they small, but they move so very fast.

Running along the edge of the waves as the come and go, they eat the little bugs in the seaweed.

I must have taken over thirty photos, and I only got two that I could use, and they are not really all that great.

Next time the tripod and a few camera adjustments might help in getting them a bit better.

 

This is the tenth round of ABC Wednesday. If you would like to join in please visit this site for the details.

ABC Wednesday - R is for Robins

R is for Robins..........




 

The Robins are very busy running around the yard.

Every few steps they stop and listen, then a quick peck in the grass fills their beaks with food.

Then they are off to the nest and the waiting babies.

Babies that stretch their fluffy heads up with their beaks wide open.

It is a lot of work for those parents - they spend more time out hunting for food than they do in the nest with the babies.

In a couple of weeks they will be gone - all grown and on their own.

It always amazes me how quickly it happens - another one of Mother Nature's miracles!

 

This is the tenth round of ABC Wednesday. If you would like to join in please visit this site for the details.

ABC Wednesday - G is for Gull

G is for Gull..........




 

This gull had the whole beach to himself, besides us of course.

The day was so hot, I wonder if the cool water and wet sand felt as good on his feet as it did on ours.

Our presence didn't bother him - I am sure he is quite used to having people around.

But when those dogs start coming around, as they usually do at this beach, I am sure he is no where to be found.

I was actually pretty glad they weren't there too - the camera doesn't go well with shaking wet dogs that are only too eager to visit.

 

This is the tenth round of ABC Wednesday. If you would like to join in please visit this site for the details.

Counting Birds - Our World

  Counting Birds - Our World



 

It is that time of the year again here in the US.

This weekend is the time to count the birds in our backyard.

The Audubon Society has set aside this weekend for their Great Backyard Bird Count.

I used to participate in this count many years ago, and I am glad I ran across it on the internet.

And I am glad I found it in time and didn't miss it.

My owl was around last winter, so unless he comes around this weekend, I won't be able to count him.

I really enjoy my birds, and adding what I have around here so the society can track the trends is a good thing.

If you are interested, be sure to check out my links - make your birds count too!

Bird Feet - My World

  Bird Feet - My World



  It was just a few minutes after we started swimming in the cold lake water. A first year eagle started flying above us. Swooping and gliding, he circled on the wind currents, his sharp eyes on the look-out for his dinner. He continued until we reached the half way point in our swim, then he took off for home, unsuccessful in his fishing. We finished our swim, keeping an eye on the sky. Leaving the water and running for our warm towels, we caught him just above us again. So back into the lake we went - man that water was so warm now. We watched for another fifteen minutes until he headed for home, unsuccessful again. He was a joy to watch, but unless mama eagle is still around to help him out, he will have an empty belly tonight. The prints above are not his, but a set from another of the many birds that make the lake their home. 

Stretching Seagull

Stretching Seagull

This post is for a friend who left a comment on my previous seagull post a couple of days ago.

Kat, over at In My Dreams I can Fly,  stated that perhaps the next time I saw him, he might put on a show.

Well, we were lucky enough to catch him doing just that a couple of photo frames later.

I refer to this one as the "yoga" shot.

He was stretching his wing and one of his legs at the same time - while keeping excellent balance on just one leg.

Now that was quite the "bird show"!

Young Gull - My World

  Young Gull - My World



  He watched with a wary eye as we passed by - shifting from leg to leg but not taking flight. We walked to the end of the dock - it was very long, and he was towards the beginning. I kept my eye on him as we sat and took photos at that far end. I didn't expect him to stay there the whole time. But he did, and he posed ever so nicely on our return trip - the sun was at a much better direction heading this way. He is a young gull - his feathers are still brown and white. By next season he will sport the white and gray of his kind. I wonder if he will still be as friendly when he matures.

ABC Wednesday - O is for Owl

  O is for Owl............




Back in February, I had a surprise visit one morning during a snow storm. I posted about my owl visitor back then, and I showed a photo of him looking in the window at me. But I saved this one especially for this round of ABC Wednesday. He sat in that spot on the branch for about three hours. In a snow storm, of all things. He was so patient, but there were times he just couldn't help himself from falling asleep. Usually he was bent way over, his head hanging down. But I caught him before he started to droop this time. He did a lot of napping that morning, but he didn't miss when the little mole he had been waiting for made its appearance. I haven't seen him since that morning, but I often hear him hooting in the night and early morning.




This is the eighth round of ABC Wednesday. If you would like to join in please visit this site for the details.

Lunch at the Lake

Lunch at the Lake

The sun was shining brightly this morning so we decided to make a lunch and take it down to the lake for the first time this season.

By the time we left, the clouds had moved in - no problem, the air was still warm and beautiful.

By the time we arrived there - it was raining.

No problem, we sat at a picnic table under a large old pine tree and ate our lunch.

And while we were sitting there, I heard a familiar sound.

Off in the distance, the loon was calling.

He didn't seem to mind the rain either.

Glad we didn't let it change our mind.

Barred Owl - My World

Barred Owl - My World






I peeked out the bathroom window - just like I do every morning to get a glimpse of the day. As I closed the curtain, something caught my eye in the tree. Upon a closer look - it was an owl - just sitting there in the cold falling snow.
I could not believe it - daytime, snow, and an owl - those factors just didn't go together.
He stayed for about three hours - taking a nap here and there.
But he was quite aware at all times.
 He looked in at me through the window - I was so lucky to get this photo.
And when the little mole that he had been watching made it's appearance, he didn't miss a beat.
After his meal he left us, and I haven't seen him since.
What a gift he was on that snowy morning!

Geese Gliding Across the Water

Geese Gliding Across the Water







Out of the fog they came - gliding across the smooth water.

All was quiet, the fog kept the sounds dulled and distant.

It mid morning - much earlier than we usually arrived at the lake.

Had we waited until the late afternoon, we would have missed their visit.

Sometimes those unplanned outings turn out just perfect.

Four Geese in the Fog - My World

Four Geese in the Fog - My World






While at the lake one morning this past fall, we were lucky enough to find a small flock of Canada Geese taking a break.

They were on the beach side, so we didn't see them when we first arrived.

Walking along the grass in the fog, we heard a commotion off to our right.

When the trees cleared, we saw them - out on the water - watching us with wary eyes.

How beautiful they looked in the fog, just gliding along the top of the peaceful water.

We enjoyed them for a few minutes, and left a few pieces of bread for them to eat after we left.

I so love these little gifts we get from Mother Nature when we least expect them!

Birds on a Wire - My World

Birds on a Wire - My World






Okay, I know these few birds are not very impressive, but I wish I had brought my camera with me on a trip to town this past weekend.

There are a bunch of power lines that span the river, and there are usually a good number of birds on them during a certain time of the day.

But I had never seen anything like what was on there last time.

All the lines were loaded, and they were all packed close together.

That would have been a terrific photo.

I am hoping they weren't just passing through and taking a break, as I will be on the lookout for them again.

Hopefully I can snag a photo - it was a sight to see!

She is Still Here

She is Still Here







I have posted about this Muscovy Duck several times over the past couple of months.

We went down to the lake earlier this week, and were very happy to see that she wasn't there.

The lady who lives across the street from the lake had also commented that she hadn't seen her in a couple of days.

We were all quite pleased that she had moved on.

We stopped by yesterday after a couple of errands, and wouldn't you know, there she was with the two Mallard Ducks that had been staying with her the last couple of weeks.

I saw some ice forming on the other side of the lake, and I hope they move on before it gets to this side.

Time will tell.

ABC Wednesday - Q is for Quack

Q is for Quack............







Back a couple of weeks, when we were on letter "O", I asked for help in identifying a duck that had been around the lake for a couple of weeks.

Jean, over at The Joy of Bird Watching and Living a Simple Life left a comment to let me know that it was a Muscovy Duck. Many thanks, Jean!

Well, two weeks later, she is still hanging around.

Today she had a pair of Mallard ducks with her, and they all seemed to get along pretty well.

Sad to say though, this is the second pair of mallards that we have seen with her.

We were hoping when the first set was there a week and a half ago, that when they left, she would go with them.

This is a new set, and we have the same hope this time.

The Mallards are smaller than her, and they are constantly quacking to each other in a low voice as they glide across the water.

I have never heard the Muscovy quack, but I am sure she must.

Perhaps being alone, she has no one to talk to.

My fingers are crossed that her new friends "talk" her into going with them when they head out for their winter home.








This is the seventh round of ABC Wednesday. If you would like to join in please visit this site for the details.