The Birdfy

I have had the same variety of birds at the feeder, but something new showed up last night.

This black and white cat has shown up several mornings at the house.  When we see him he runs down the driveway.  I am not sure where he belongs but a I hope he has made friends with Kit Kat.  I don’t want to have to treat any wounds.

Maybe he was looking for this little chipmunk.  Then for the bird house Birdfy.  It has been a disappointment so far.  A month ago one blue bird looked in.   Since then the tree swallows have arrived but the Birdfy doesn’t seem able to identify them.

It is not a white headed woodpecker.

But the only one brave enough to venture inside so far.

It is also not a European starling,

Or Hairy woodpecker.  It has also identified the tree swallow as a blue jay, carolina chickadee, downy woodpecker, acorn woodpecker, red headed woodpecker, eastern kingbird and common grackle. 

I am not sure what this one is but I know it is not a black capped chickadee, 

Or pileated woodpecker.

Starling have shown up apparently disguised as red winged blackbirds.

But my lone bluebird from a month ago was actually a blue bird.
 

Foaling Stall

I don’t like to clean stalls.  So when we built our new barn, I did not include any stalls. But that was before I considered breeding a horse. I  have set up an area in the barn as a run in shed for when the horses are in the fat lot. But now that Draper is there it seems like a good idea to set up a foaling stall. The fat lot is all down hill.  I could just see her foaling out there and it rolling down hill and under the fence. 

So today, I helped Joe with his idea of how to expand the run in shed into a foaling stall. 

Draper checked out the expansion and didn’t seem too impressed one way or the other. 

There are now two areas, one open to the outside and the other with the gate to make it a stall.  The stall measures about 20 x 24 which should be plenty big.  

The only time Draper has been stalled was when she was at the trainer a couple of years ago for a month and then at the breeder last year.  Joe thinks I should start leaving her in the stall for a few hours a day and not wait until the last minute to shut her in.  Seems like a good idea. I also need to get some shaving for bedding.  I don’t think sand will be good to foal on.  
 

In Bloom At The 4Rs

Daffodils!

When Sadie was here last week she saw that the daffodils were starting to bloom. She was so excited and ran over for a closer look. 

Since then the miniature daffodils have started blooming. 

 And the big patch that Sadie was so excited to see have come into their own.  Maybe this weekend Sadie and Allie will be able to pick some. 

4 Month Anniversary

I kept Sadie Friday afternoon because school was closed.  

She went with me to go feed Draper.  She wanted to ride Otoelene but I said it was to cold.  She argued the point.  My next excuse was that I couldn’t lift her up to get on.  She said she could get on by herself.  I said not this time but when the weather was better she could ride.  But how could I put her up on a horse I wasn’t riding.  

She was also able to get this close to Hugo before he took off.  I thought that was pretty good for Hugo.

Anyway, today the horseshoer came to reset Otoelene’s shoes.  I worked with her a bit and thought,”surely I can ride that little western pleasure jog just here in the barn.

So, four months after being thrown, breaking my back, and having two rods put in, I got back on.  Granted, it was only for ten minutes but I did it.  

She acted fine, only having one episode of  being startled and scooting forward fast when Hugo came cantering up to the door.   Ten minutes of walking and jogging was plenty for my first day back.  And I won’t lie, I was shaking a little after I got off.  The mental healing might take longer than the physical part. But at least I have made a start.

Out West

Ninety Six head of cattle headed west yesterday. 

Joe had them in the barn lot ready to go by Wednesday afternoon. 

He was very worried about a break out.  He double and triple checked the gates and added more staples to the fence.  

I was petty sure they were not planning an escape but you never know.  

The help started rolling in at 7:30 Thursday morning.  I had already done my job, written the health papers, so I headed off to work.  I didn't see the loading and weighing but Joe said everything went like clockwork.  Today we got the conformation that they made it to Nebraska is good shape and they all walked off the trailer.  Now Joe has just a little less to have to feed in the mornings.  
 

Counting Down

I am counting down the days until Draper is due to foal.  It might be in a little over a  month from now.  I got her in the other day to start feeding her fescue free hay.  For the non horse people, there is an endophyte in fescue that can cause thickened placentas, weak foals and no milk. 

She didn't escape the Knot Away treatment.  

Her tail definitely took the longest to unknot.  There is a lot of hair there. 

I don't think she is much of a fan of the new hay yet.  I have moved her into the fat lot.  There hasn't been anything on it since last fall.  So I am sure she is finding some grass that she likes better for now. 

The wind and the rain have retangled her mane and tail. 

And at least she has Hugo across the fence to keep her company.  
 

In Bloom At The 4R’s

I had a pleasant surprise yesterday when I walked up the stairs next to my rock garden. 

Can you see it? 

The crocuses are blooming.

I had wanted to plant more bulbs last fall but my accident put a stop to that.  

Maybe this Spring I can get some more potted ones .