She’s 12 hours old now and content to doze in the dappled sunlight near the barn door. Her mama, a grade Jersey, has a most impressive udder. Woo hoo! Milk for everyone!

The damp, chilly weather made outdoor work miserable this week. Yet it was exactly what we needed, days of light rain alternating with sprinkles or just a feeling of mist in the air. The earth had time to absorb the moisture as it fell, to begin to replenish itself and recover from the effects of [...]

Bebe’s chicken management duties interrupted our afternoon walk. We found this young hen huddled in the underbrush near the creek. I suspect she was hiding from those big bully roosters. Or pouting. It’s hard to tell, chickens not having lips and all.

A hard freeze is predicted tonight, so I suspect these blossoms won’t be so pretty tomorrow. The tree is a bit tall and spindly. Mosses and lichens cover its bark so thickly I can’t distinguish its natural pattern. Such is the way of trees in overgrown, neglected places. This one is struggles for its share [...]

Elm flowers aren’t that impressive, but I still get excited about this milestone of spring. Especially on a still evening when the wind isn’t fluttering the tiny parts and ruining the focus on my pictures.

Do you suppose the cow stops to admire this spot of color on her way out to pasture each morning?

This thick tangle of vines wraps around two young elm trees and extend up into the treetops. The bark is smooth, unlike wild grapevines nearby. I’m hoping when it leafs out I’ll be able to figure out what it is.

Bebe’s six months old and has been bigger than Blue, the aussie, for a while. She excels at breaking up rooster fights, protecting the poultry, and sorting them at night to keep those bully bachelor roosters out of the henhouse. At night, she guards the yard and barn when the older dogs range further to [...]

Blue, the Aussie, likes to range ahead on our walks. He has the most intent, focused expression when he’s scouting. This is serious work.

Tonight’s sunset provided the perfect close to a great day. Warm breezes, sunny skies, temperatures in the mid-60s, a perfect day for planting. We got the last two bundles of seedlings from the conservation department nursery into the ground — 25 each of Austrian Pine and Norway Spruce. The first of the yellow potato [...]