Goosed by a Chicken
We tossed the two Jack-o'-lanterns from Halloween out into the yard and let the chickens and ducks nibble away at them. Here are Miri and Gilfy taking a turn. Aren't they pretty chickens? The next moment, Willow (a Plymouth Barred-Rock hen) walked...
Plucky Magpie Felt Ornament
Magpies are not a breed we see here in Maine. In fact, I don't think I've ever seen a real Magpie. However, this bird is the most requested bird ornament from readers, and a pretty bird he is. Click here to download the pattern. Please share your...
Bad Feather Days
The Girls are looking a little rough around the edges lately. At 17 months old, they are going through their first molt. I had no idea they'd look so ragged. We have some bad feather days ahead! Miri and Gilfy, on the other hand, at six months old,...
The Christmas Dove
With the Holiday Season quickly approaching I thought it time for a Christmas Dove. This particular felt ornament is very easy and embellished with gold thread and amber glass seed beads for a bit of added sparkle. She'll make a lovely gift or a...
Reappearance of the Sun
The sun is finally making an appearance after five days of doom and gloom associated with Hurricane Sandy. Yippee! I am ever so grateful that Maine was only touched lightly by this disaster.
Happy Halloween!
Great Blue Heron Visit
This morning, I stood looking out the front window watching the trees sway with the coming of Hurricane Sandy. The activity at the bird feeder is frenetic - as if even the birds are preparing for the big wind to come. Suddenly, a massive object...
Little Chickadee
A little Chickadee was the bird feeder visitor caught on camera today.
Glorious Autumn Day
Today felt like a gift. The last week of October and the temps on this sunny day hit 65 degrees. We took advantage of the glorious day and spent it outdoors doing "get ready for winter" chores and just enjoying what may be the last summer-like day...
Autumn Marsh
The marsh grasses turning color with the Autumn season have a beauty all their own.
October Blueberry Barrens
One of the most beautiful sights you will find Downeast are the blueberry barrens in October. Lush, vibrant carpets of red fill the countryside like patchwork quilts. This picture is straight out of the camera with no color enhancement. Click on...
Meet the Tiny Northern Saw-whet Owl
The Northern Saw-whet owl is one of the most common owls found in Maine. It was only after a blog visitor suggested I make a pattern for this owl that I read more about them. After listening to the call sounds on AllAboutBirds.org, I'm certain that...
Operation Chicken Relocation
Miri and Gilfy are the Barred Rock/Buff Orpington chickens we hatched in the incubator earlier this year. Since leaving the brooder, they've been sleeping in a little dog kennel set up next to the chicken coop at night and free ranging with the...
Autumn Weekend Snapshots
A few pictures from the weekend. A Dark-eyed Junco. These little birds have been flitting about lately taking refuge in the shadows along the edge of the woods. I captured this little squirrel perched on a branch of a dead tree. They're so cute...
The Ominous Red-tailed Hawk
Red-tailed Hawks are really very beautiful. Unless you have nineteen chickens and six ducks. Then they become quite ominous. In honor of the hawks circling over head this past week, and the readers who requested it, here's a Red-Tailed hawk...
Autumn River View
Autumn view of Pleasant River in Addison, Maine.
Turkey Freezer Camp
Freezer camp has commenced. The turkeys have been with us almost 17 weeks. Three of the six chicks purchased in June departed for freezer camp - an average of 15+ pounds each. There's something endearing about the turkeys that makes dispatching...
The Difference a Year Makes
This mother/daughter picture taken on Pigeon Hill over the weekend has captured my attention. I keep going back to it because I'm stunned by the differences I see in Hannah over the past year. It seems like overnight she's changed from an awkward...
From The Top of Pigeon Hill
Last night's hard frost gave way to a beautiful, crisp autumn day. Hannah and I enjoyed the day with our annual hike up Pigeon Hill. This is Petit Manan Light from half-way up Pigeon Hill. We took a boat cruise out to Petit Manan in August. The...
Friendly House Finch
At my house, these colorful House Finches flutter around the edge of the woods, dodging in and out of the debris of downed trees. This felt ornament is a good project for an autumn afternoon - click here to download the Friendly House Finch Felt...
Procrastinating
It was a beautiful, crisp autumn day. Although I had two web project deadlines looming, I had a hard time sticking to my desk. I puttered the day away searching for inspiration that just wasn't coming. In desperation I headed outside with my...
Shadow’s Broody Again
Shadow, a sweet little bantam hen, is broody again. She's feathered her nest and is sitting on a clutch of ten eggs. She hatched her first babies back in May. My best guess is that she's been on the nest for about ten days now. She's such a gentle...
Wee Winter Wren
Have you seen a Winter Wren? This tiny little bird visits in the summer here in Maine. I tend to hear their sweet song more often than I see them. They've left for the winter now, but this cute little felt ornament will be a reminder on my...
Museum of Natural History
I found this picture from last year in my files and thought it worth sharing. The Downeast Museum of Natural History is our local junk seller. It's nice to see he has a sense of humor.
The Clever Crow
When the fog rolls in off the water and the crows roost in the treetops, their cawing voices eerily echo. Though they are not visitors at my feeders, the crows are a constant presence around the farm. This crow ornament, created from felt, perches...
