by Susan | Aug 3, 2012 | Garden, On the Farm
My garden is finally yielding goodies! We’ve had lettuce and peas, but everything else is finally taking off. We picked our first green beans today. It seems that my green beans are sustaining others as well. In the ten minutes it took me to pick these beans, I...
by Susan | Aug 2, 2012 | Chickens, On the Farm
Top of the world. To a bantam rooster called Clover. Showing off for the ladies…
by Susan | Jul 31, 2012 | Chickens, On the Farm
Paul and I have been mystified about the recent drop in the egg count. The Girls usually produce a dozen eggs a day and lately we’re only getting six or seven. I found a baker’s dozen nestled beneath my day lilies! I feel the need to go on an egg hunt and...
by Susan | Jul 29, 2012 | Ducks, On the Farm
We’re having a much needed rainy day at Downeast Thunder Farm – nice soft steady rain has been falling all day. Perfect Ducky Weather – just right for bringing out the slugs. The ducks spent more time paroling for slugs and bugs than they did...
by Susan | Jul 28, 2012 | On the Farm, Turkeys
This morning, Paul found an unexpected sight in the garage. The turkey dudettes broke free of their brooder last night. These three were strolling about the garage. Another couple took up residence on top of the brooder. They’d managed to slide off the screen...
by Susan | Jul 26, 2012 | Ducks, On the Farm
Two nights after Project Ducky Unification got underway we had a late night disturbance. At 4 a.m. I awoke to the sound of frantic ducks. My first thought was that a predator had made its way into the duck house. A quick poke at Paul and it was clear that he was...
by Susan | Jul 23, 2012 | Chickens, On the Farm
We have just finished our third day of harvesting meat chickens. Harvesting. That’s a pleasant way to phrase it, isn’t it? We’ve got 37 out of 49 chickens in freezer camp – about 12 birds a day. A reluctant chicken farmer, this is my second year getting up close...
by Susan | Jul 15, 2012 | Garden, On the Farm
After a long day of working outdoors tending gardens, looking after critters, and landscaping, I spent an inordinate amount of time photographing these busy bees in my lavender. There were dozens of bumble bees randomly buzzing here there. (Click on the pics for a...
by Susan | Jul 12, 2012 | Ducks
Do you suppose they notice their reflections? Oscar’s double reflection as she chases off the ducklings.
by Susan | Jul 11, 2012 | Ducks
The ducklings have taken up synchronized bobbing, diving for pond goodies!
by Susan | Jul 8, 2012 | On the Farm
It was a weekend of two weather forecasts. Saturday was beastly hot and humid. Sunday was glorious – a perfect Maine summer day. I spent both days outdoors working on a myriad of garden and critter chores, sneaking in some reading by the pond and taking pictures...
by Susan | Jul 6, 2012 | Ducks, On the Farm
It’s been a week since we introduced the ducklings to the pond. Since then the big ducks have learned to tolerate the new ducklings and the babies have learned how to hold their ground. The other night I figured they were doing so well together on the pond that...
by Susan | Jul 2, 2012 | Chickens, Ducks, On the Farm, Turkeys
I spent the most glorious hour this evening sitting at the edge of the duck pond, sun dipping lower in the sky, with a glass of wine and my book. It was like a mini vacation relaxing away from work and the phone, watching the baby ducks negotiate their place among the...
by Susan | Jun 30, 2012 | Ducks, On the Farm
Three weeks after Puddles and Gabby joined the farm we introduced them to the big ducks. The ducks didn’t exactly throw out the welcome mat for them. Hera tried her best to chase the ducklings out of the pond. Then Oscar joined the fray. When they’d had...
by Susan | Jun 21, 2012 | Chickens, On the Farm
Almost a month ago I selected a dozen fresh chicken eggs to place in the incubator Paul gave me at Christmas. A few days ago three baby chicks hatched. One didn’t survive, leaving Gilfy and Miri – cute little Buff Orpington/Barred Rock chicks. Although I...
by Susan | Jun 18, 2012 | Chickens, On the Farm
The sound of cheaping woke me out of a sound sleep at 1:30 a.m. this morning. A few moments to get my bearings and I ran to the bathroom where I found this brandy-new chick in the incubator! I woke Paul to share the excitement with him. He groggily told me to close...
by Susan | Jun 17, 2012 | Ducks, On the Farm
The ducks make their maiden voyage in “The Big Pond” today! When we took the fencing down that separated the duck yard from the pond, it took them a few minutes to realize they could cross that magic line. Once they figured out they were free they made a...
by Susan | Jun 16, 2012 | On the Farm, Turkeys
Meet the next generation of Turkey Dudes! We brought home six (yes 6) week-old white turkey chicks today. They’re cute little things – friendly with very gentle, trusting eyes. They’d better get ugly before the holidays arrive. Past Turkey Dude Posts...
by Susan | Jun 15, 2012 | Ducks, On the Farm
It was a stupendously beautiful day here – perfect for the new ducklings first swim. Here are Puddles and Gabby testing out the water in my rubber tote. This swimming thing takes a little getting used to. They weren’t too sure about the whole experience....
by Susan | Jun 9, 2012 | Garden, On the Farm
It was a busy day in the garden today. The sunshine and blooms brought out the butterfies, birds, and bees! Click thumbnail for larger...
