The Hummingbird

I left the garage door open for a little while the other day.  J when back out after lunch and said there was a hummingbird in there.

 The poor little thing was flying around frantically at the ceiling and would just not pay attention to the big door opening.  I got a rake and tried to guide it out to no avail. 

 Then I ran in and quick made some hummingbird food and filled the feeder thinking that might attract it toward the door.  No luck there either, it was just too scared.  Kit Kat walking around the garage probably didn't help the situation any either.  It finally wore itself out and perched on the garage door rails.  I grabbed a ladder, climbed up and gently captured it.

 It didn't even struggle.  I took it outside and put its little beak in the feeder and it started eating.  Then it perched on the feeder and ate some more.  Ran in and got my camera sure that it would be gone by the time I got back outside, but there it was. 

It posed for me and let me get some of the spiderwebs off its beak.  Then I stepped back and it flew away.

More Guest Photographer

I really enjoy when E shares her pictures with me.  I asked her to comment on this latest group of photos.

Alligator from the boardwalk.

American Oystercatcher.  A semi rare bird that wildlife people like to band to keep track of.

Rattlesnake.

Woodstork, use to be endangered but in good shape now.

Great horned owl, seen around 8 pm.

Sunset.

Black vulture seen on a morning tour.

Made It To Horse Heaven With Walker

We were going to ride Friday, but it rained 3 inches Thursday and we didn't think the trails would be in very good shape. 

Then Walker was going to help his granddad in the hay Saturday.  So J and I decided to head out on our own with Jessica and Otoelene.  We only made it less than a mile.  Jessica had no energy, sweat was dripping off of her and she was breathing like a freight train.  She usually takes the lead and walks out like she is on a mission.  Saturday she kept stopping, I finally got in front with Otoelene and Jessica didn't even try to keep up.  We decided to quit and go back.  I think she may have a heart problem.  Everything is pointing in that direction.  She is fine in the field and no problems eating, so she is just hanging out for now.  I am going to have my large animal vet friend come take a look.   So, I guess it worked out that Walker wasn't with us on that ride.  

Then Monday, J got a new mount.  He picked Otoelene to ride. 

Walker was on Hank of course. 

The misery index was pretty high for the first couple of miles.  Swarms of horse flys, and Otoelene and Draper didn't want to go in front.  That left Hank ambling at a painfully slow pace until we got Walker to keep him sped up. 

We crossed paths with this snake, I am saying it is a rattlesnake. It was pretty big. 

Once we made it to the top the flies weren't as bad and I was able to get Draper out front to pick up the pace.  

Walker said he liked riding in the middle anyway. 

Draper's ears to prove she was there. 

 Once we hit the gravel road we did some trotting which Walker enjoyed.  First trail ride under his belt now.  He said it was fun and I think is ready to go camping next. 

Coupon Saturday #46 And Better

This was a good week for couponing, that is if you need any more shampoo, body wash or tooth paste.  But I haven't bought any toilet paper since the start of the Wangu Virus.  I was down to my last package and thought it was time now that the stores are more stocked.

 I didn't have a coupon for the Angel Soft but that didn't matter.

 I got it for $1.08 anyway.  And I had so much fun doing that scenario that I went around again and did another one.

 More stuff I don't need,

 but who can pass up 79 cents.  Oh, and there is an icecream sandwich in the freezer that I already put away.  That's a total of $63.43 for $1.87 plus tax.

And what's better than couponing you might ask.  Just walking out in the yard and picking all of this!  And there are green beans to pick when it dries off plus you don't see all of the blackberries we eat off the vine.

Diet And Exercise

Otoelene has been in the diet lot for a month now.  I am not sure she is actually losing any weight, but as I tell my clients, "the first part of weight loss is to stop gaining."  

 I hope we have at least accomplished that.

 J is getting our fall calves ready to send out west soon.  Monday, we got them in and vaccinated them. 

 J gets his Farmercising in by toting around 50 pound bags of feed for them.

And Otoelene gets her exercise by riding though and checking on things. 

It's funny, some animals we are wanting to gain weight and others lose.

Guest Photographer

E sent some more outstanding pictures from Cumberland Island.  The shots she gets continue to amaze me. 

This stunning egret picture is my favorite. 

But you have to love a painted bunting too.

Twinsies

Remember this farm? click here to see

Well, we made an offer back in May that was accepted.  The closing was suppose to be on or about June 22.  It is now August first and we are still waiting for the government, that we are getting part of the loan through, to finish getting their act together.  What does that have to do with Twinsies you might ask.  Well, back in June when we were still under the naive impression that we were going to be taking possession of a new farm, J bought some new cows so we could start stocking it. 

One of said cows had a little set of twins!  Unfortunately, it didn't look like she was going to be able to raise both.  

For several days, J fed both some extra with a bottle.  

But then we made the tough decision to leave the heifer on the cow and move the bull calf to the barn to raise on the bottle.  Guess we have another pet.