Mojave or Pacific???

A rooster went missing yesterday. I was walking around looking for him when another visitor appeared. I love snakes and especially rattlesnakes. I never kill them. This one looked slightly green and I don't know if it was a Mojave Green or a Pacific rattlesnake. Either way, this was a beautiful snake. He started rattling immediately and then coiled beneath the first bush. The camouflage is incredible and the snake was nearly invisible. Very much like the rooster that was never found...
Another day ends in mysterious sadness...
and dangerous beauty.

PlayBunny thinks she's funny...

Roosters have lots of 'friends'...
The rabbit loves to have lunch with the rooster. She really loves the food he eats. It's better than the food she normally eats. So, she loves to come visit her friend for lunch...
The rooster knows that she will leave as soon as she is finished getting what she wants. The playbunny is very busy...but, she'll "be back tomorrow". She calls this routine "tickling the cock", whereby a decoy of friendship is all it takes to 'eat' for free. The rooster doesn't know he's being 'tickled'. He doesn't realize that her friendship is really being hung in front of him...like a big carrot. Thankfully, he doesn't eat carrots...but, he may be heartbroken when he realizes she's just playing him like a fiddle...(uncool)

Ain't no sunshine

"Ain't no sunshine when she's gone"...
Man, you can say that again!
When you adjust the light,
everything looks different.
When the sunshine is gone completely,
the whole world can become a ball of emptiness...
Thankfully, the roosters always shine their proud energy upon anyone willing to accept it. So, if "she goes away" and everything is getting dark, you can always find light in the eyes of a rooster!

Lazing in the green grass

It's always the same:
it's either too damned hot to be working...
or, too damned cold to be working...
or, too damned nice to be working! 

Loud and Proud

Why do roosters sing?
There are many reasons...
dominance...
territoriality...
conquest...
joy...
loneliness...
heartbreak...
Roosters sing loud because they are intense lovers of life. They really are proud of themselves and are constantly trying to fulfill their desires. Even in defeat, a rooster will sing because he never gives up...he will never stop being a rooster...even if trying to prove it brings about his own demise. So, you can love them, hate them, ignore them, or even try to hurt them...you're never going to stop the singing. Nothing sings more than a heartbroken rooster...
and, the only rooster that won't sing is a dead one.
Blame it on Pride!

 

                                   
                                     

Slinky and Hopper

Gopher snakes and rabbits don't have much to say to each other. But, yesterday, the myth was broken and a game of tag ensued! It was just a little showing-off time and there was never any danger for the players...only some clumsy near-misses...

Local wildlife of old

In earlier times, the native species roamed the frontier in plentiful numbers. It was even possible to walk right up to the wild chicks and make friends with them. Then one day, without any warning...they were gone. No explanation was ever given. I have "wondered why" ever since. That was over seven years ago. Did they migrate to movieland to be summer stars? Or are they grooming themselves for pure custom work? I wish I knew...
I'll never forget Melissa Kiss and Tawny Chixx...
Cluck-a-doodle do...

No Cake, No Ice Cream...

Happy birthday(...to me)
It's true! Another year has passed me by.
Cake and ice cream are never going to make up for another lost year...but, this moment is the only one that matters...
so, we will continue to forge virtue from these fallen feathers. For seven years I've prayed for a miracle...alas, it is not forthcoming. I guess I'd settle for some chocolate.
Trust that...

Recent Arrivals

Is this a chicken factory?
Of course not!
It's a factory of hope!
Don't let the feathers fool you...

I know you're fine...but, how ya doin'?

Here comes the future! This young rooster is looking mighty fine for his young seven months. He is another would-be champion and a perfect example of how healthy free-range chickens can be. Living in paradise helps a lot, too! Eventually, he will become too territorial and I will have to find him a home. But, for now, the fun and feathers seem completely devoid of any such irony.
Cluck, cluck, cluck goes the moment.

The Dark Hope

We have a lot of new faces in the chicken coop. But, one little face looks dirty. But, washing won't change anything...it is our first black baby since Jet. In fact, Jet is probably the father...I don't think Ebony has been here long enough to be its mother. Either way, the work and the waiting were worth it. There should be more soon...Ebony is broody right now!

Ebony is broody! More dirty faces are on the way!

The more...the merrier!

Baby chicks are everywhere!
Most of the hens are sitting on eggs...or, are already mothers.
This is the most I've ever had at one time...right now, there are 32(5+6+5+1+2+3+6+4) baby chicks among 8 different mothers. Also, 7 other hens are in various stages of broodiness. So, this fun is just beginning...
(invite the neighbors!)

The Jet Set

The 'happening scene' is sometimes called the Jet Set...
but, around here...it's all about that rooster with the black wings and dark face. His name is Jet...and, he is set to become the meanest rooster I've ever had. He has been in more fights* than any other rooster and he has never been defeated. He is barely ten months old. He is still growing and romance has become his favorite hobby. We are anxiously awaiting Jet's contribution(s) to the gene pool...they will be adorable. You can follow Jet's history in the archives...starting with the post from June 14, 2012("From Mother To Joy"). So, relax baby! The Jet Set is alive and well at Rancho Giro. Just be prepared to turn on righteously when the cool king with the fast name flaps his wings at you. Open the door...let him in!
*fights- I'm referring to 'barnyard' fights/territory disputes that are played out as in Nature. I have never involved any of my birds in Cockfighting competition.