by Susan | Sep 4, 2018 | Cats and Dogs, On the Farm
I have deposited Hannah to Denison University for her sophomore year. She’s got a fabulous room and roommate situation this year and she said, “I have really good vibes about this year.” I cried for just a short while instead of the entire trip home. Progress on the...
by Susan | Jul 16, 2018 | Backyard Birds, On the Farm
I love these tiniest of backyard birds. It seems like I never have time these days to lie in wait for the hummer’s acrobatics. Yet yesterday, I found myself in the right place at the right time. And managed to focus the camera just right. I do much better...
by Susan | Jul 15, 2018 | On the Farm
Since we moved the ducklings outside into the halfway house, Squeak has taken to hanging outside their run. He’s a lonely duck. After ten days living outdoors, we gave the ducklings a bit of freedom to start the unification process with Squeak. They didn’t...
by Susan | Jul 9, 2018 | Backyard Birds
I apologize for the poor pictures. I finally relented and put the screen back in the living room window. This makes photographing birds at the feeder less than ideal. This was a first for me. Mama Downy Woodpecker brought her youngster to the suet feeder. She grabbed...
by Susan | Jul 6, 2018 | Ducks, On the Farm
The significance of Independence Day is singular for each of us. For me, the Fourth of July was freedom from livestock in the mudroom. The ducklings have officially moved into the ducky halfway house. The halfway house is a portable critter house on skids. Puddles,...
by Susan | Jun 22, 2018 | Ducks, On the Farm
Join us as the ducklings (Puddles, Murphy, and Doodle) have their first swim. And meet Mr. Duck (aka...
by Susan | Jun 17, 2018 | Ducks, On the Farm
Meet Murphy, Puddles, and Doodle, straight from California. I still amazes me that three ducklings can be shipped in a box across the country. These babies are one of Hannah’s summer projects. She’s determined to raise ducks that “will love...
by Susan | Jun 4, 2018 | Ducks, On the Farm
It was a rough winter at Downeast Thunder Farm. Not only did we lose a chicken to the local bobcat, but we lost two of our ducks as well. During the middle of the day something, perhaps a fox, absconded with Oscar the last of our original ducks (2011). Then it was...
by Susan | May 27, 2018 | Backyard Birds, On the Farm
I’ve enjoyed the variety of birds at my feeding station since putting out suet cakes. In just a few moments this guy swooped in for a visit. A Hairy Woodpecker. A few seconds later a much smaller woodpecker arrived. It was a Downy Woodpecker. I’ve never...
by Susan | May 22, 2018 | On the Farm
While celebrating Paul’s birthday dinner this evening, I watched a squirrel fly across the porch. It happened so fast that I couldn’t be certain what I saw. Was it carrying something thing it’s arms? Was it squabbling with another squirrel? ...
by Susan | May 19, 2018 | Backyard Birds, On the Farm
The rescue mission is over. Hannah and I finally arrived home last night, her first semester of college finished. It felt so good to be back after a whirlwind ten days away. Sleeping in my own bed has never felt so good. Snape the cat was so happy to see me that he...
by Susan | May 6, 2018 | Backyard Birds
I had some computer work planned for today. My mistake was parking myself on the sofa to do said work. I got a little distracted with the show outside the window. I can’t remember a day when I spied so many different varieties of birds all in one day. Chipping...
by Susan | Apr 8, 2018 | Backyard Birds, On the Farm
I can’t tell you how much I enjoy that rare moment where I can sit on the sofa and enjoy the show outside the window. Nature really does provide the best entertainment. The squirrels who were eating me out of house and home before the new feeder pole are...
by Susan | Mar 14, 2018 | On the Farm
The third Nor’easter to hit Maine in just two weeks has finally passed. The fun started yesterday when I used misguided judgement and drove down to the road to check the mail only to sort of miss the drive on my return. I had to call out the cavalry to help pull...
by Susan | Mar 8, 2018 | On the Farm
Just when I was feeling hopeful about spring, Mother Nature showed her might. I don’t remember a February with less snow than we’ve had this year. Until today. The storm lasted eighteen hours leaving us with heavy, sticky, knee-deep deep snow. It was a day...
by Susan | Feb 19, 2018 | Backyard Birds, On the Farm
It’s been such a strange winter here. Frigid and snowy one day – balmy the next. In a typical winter we’ll have snow on the ground until mid-Spring. This year, we’ve had plenty of winter weather interspersed with January and February thaws. Our...
by Susan | Feb 4, 2018 | Backyard Birds, On the Farm
This weekend I so enjoyed a charm of goldfinches at the feeders. The finches’ subtle, faded out of season colors somehow match the winter landscape. This last image is a merge of two snapshots to show the motion of the birds in flight. Shooting mostly from...
by Susan | Jan 7, 2018 | Backyard Birds, On the Farm
As has become our tradition as the Christmas season ends, our Charlie Brown tree has another chance to bring a bit more joy. Hannah helped me bring it outdoors – strategically placed outside one of the living room windows. I dipped apple slices and pine cones...
by Susan | Dec 10, 2017 | On the Farm
It’s official. We’re in winter mode. This was the sight greeting us this morning. We spent yesterday procrastinating, only moving into winter prep when the first flakes began to fall. Yard clear of stuff; check. Snow shovels distributed to all doors;...
by Susan | Nov 27, 2017 | Ducks, On the Farm
A new duck house has been on my “Honey Do” list for more than a year now. Peep, Squeak, and Oscar have been living in a makeshift house that was recycled from another project. The old house was never designed for ducks and was too big for our trio of...
