Disappearing Phlox
I'd noticed that my Phlox was looking a little sparse. Just the other day it was in full bloom, and today, only a couple of the plants had flowers on them. I justified this by telling myself that the ones in bloom were planted later last year -...
A Halfway House for Chickens
The new girls on the block are ready to leave the brooder and be introduced the the rest of the farm critters. Last year taught us that a gradual approach is the best way to merge new chickens with an existing flock. So Paul built the new girls a...
Route 9 Panoramas
Pictures from Route 9 also known as the Airline Road from a couple of weeks ago. At certain points along the way the vistas are stunning.
Owling at Birdsacre
Today's mission was to find dress shoes for Hannah to wear to her 8th grade graduation dance. We power shopped our way through the task of purchasing her first pair of heels. Mission accomplished! We rewarded ourselves with a visit to Birdsacre -...
Sunshine Please!
It has rained for seven days straight. And not just drizzle, but on and off steady, solid downpours. I wouldn't be surprised if the peas, beans, and squash I planted last weekend have drowned. I've been busier than I've ever been on the work front....
Wandering Ducks
The ducks have provided lots of inspiration for posts lately. Broody ducks, cute ducks, new ducks. No ducks. That's what I found when I arrived home - no ducks. Nada. After checking with Paul who said, "They were just there a little while ago," I...
An Unexpected Dip
The baby ducks started out with a basic chick waterer. I wanted to give them a waterer where they could dunk their heads, but keep things as dry as possible. After doing a bit of research, I cut a hole in the side of a gallon milk jug. I guess I...
Tag Team Nesters
Shadow, our broody Banty, takes a moment to stretch her legs. While she enjoys her break, Salty temporarily takes over the broody duties. The two Banty hens seem to be taking a tag team approach to sitting on this clutch of eggs!
Meet Peep and Squeak!
Hannah named the first ducklings to hatch at Downeast Thunder Farm "Peep" and "Squeak". Here they are taking their first swim in my bathtub! They are the cutest little things. http://youtu.be/7JEz5xYZR4E
Broody Banty, Broody Buff, Broody Duck
I locked myself into the chicken coop this morning. On accident. But that's not what this post is about. Just thought I'd share. I arrived home late last night from a week in Pennsylvania only to have to turn around and leave again on business this...
Nesting Robin
I don't see many Robins at my house. That's probably because I don't really have a lawn. I'm hopeful that someday I will have a tiny patch that might require mowing instead of scrub and clover. While here in Pennsylvania I've enjoyed the lushness...
Waggoner’s Gap Hawk Watch Outing with Dad
This week in Pennsylvania visiting my folks has been blissfully slow-paced. On the first sunny day, Dad and I went for a drive in search of a mountain overlook where he thought I'd enjoy taking pictures. After two hours of driving, we admitted...
A Ducky Mother’s Day
Four weeks ago, we tucked twelve duck eggs into an incubator. For 27 days Paul accepted egg duty and faithfully spritzed and turned the eggs multiple times a day. While in Pennsylvania for Mother's Day weekend with my mom, I received a phone call...
The Littlest Egg
The egg on the left is from an Orpington Buff. The middle egg is from bantam hen. Paul delivered the third egg to my desk yesterday, collected from the chicken coop. At about 1.5", it's the tiniest egg I've ever seen outside of an Easter basket!
What Variety of Hawk?
I "captured" this beautiful hawk on my way home today. Any idea what type of Hawk she is?
Happy Little Nuthatch
Pictures like this are the payoff for wearing a camera around my neck as if it were a necklace. A little cumbersome, but worth the results!
A Pretty Pair of House Finches
A beautiful day spent puttering in the yard. I was kept company by this pretty pair of House Finches fluttering about.
A Portrait of Hannah
Hannah needs an updated photo for 8th grade graduation festivities in the works, so we had a mini photo shoot this afternoon. She's happy with my amateurish attempts. 8th grade graduation already? She's growing up entirely too fast!
So Ugly They’re Cute
The 50 meat chickens moved out of the garage this weekend at 3 1/2 weeks old. They grow so fast that they've run out of space in the brooder. These little Cornish X Rock chickens are so ugly, they're kinda cute. Don't you think?
Eastern Phoebe
I finally got a picture of my mystery bird through the kitchen window this morning. She perched just long enough for me to snap this single photo. My best guess is that she's an Eastern Phoebe.
Spring Bird Show
The past few days have been a delight - beautiful weather and an amazing assembly of birds on the farm. Never have I seen such a variety of birds here at one time. The regulars: Dark-eyed Junco Blue Jay Black-capped Chickadee Crow Mourning Dove...
Burning Barrens
The burning of blueberry barrens is a symbol of spring in Downeast Maine. Blueberry fields are periodically burned to prune the plants and keep pests in check. It's a sight to see!
The Moss-Lined Raised Garden Experiment
Last summer I lamented that my raised bed gardens didn't do as well as my neighbors'. He told me his secret is lining the bottom of the raised bed with moss - plain old moss from the woods - to retain moisture. Eager to begin planing, I decided...
Sharing a Warm Patch of Sun
Cinder and Ginger sharing a patch of sun. These two critters in such close proximity to each other is highly unusual. I don't think Ginger knows what to make of it!
Chicken Corn Chowder
Making Chicken Corn Chowder is one of my favorite ways to use leftover chicken. It's quick to put together and it's filling enough to serve as a meal for Paul along with a salad. In this instance, I was feeling a bit corny and introduced Hannah to...
