Weekend Wake And Bake

Saturday morning...
right on time...
sunrise warning,
let it shine.
Greet the moment...
face to face...
let it fade
without a trace.
It's all the same
all the way...
in and out
another day
...has vanished.

Palm Reader

You want your fortune told?
Do you have a long life-line?
No, I'm looking for a little shade
...and, a dirt bath!
It's 11:00am and already 99 degrees.
The weather forecast says the high will be 106 today...
and, 109 tomorrow. I wish it would rain.
This weather is way hotter than normal...
and, we're in a severe drought!
Be smart...stay hydrated!
Stay out of the direct sunlight...
and make sure your pets have plenty to drink.
Got water?

Longer Than Long

Here are two roosters with the longest legs that I have ever seen. Why can't women have legs this long?
Anyway, these are going to be tall roosters. I know they'll be beautiful. I am excited. These birds go through so many physical changes that it is impossible to know what is next.
So, it can get suspenseful...
and, it's always fun.

Staying Clean

Baby chicks need guidance. They have so much to learn before they get big. One of the first things that Mama teaches them...is how to stay clean. There is no better soap than dirt. So, jump in...there's plenty of room. The water is always warm.
Just do what Mama does...Start splashing!
This is how to get really clean...

Late Start

I am getting a late start today...
and since I didn't post anything yesterday,
this is a real late start...so
(please, forgive)

A Feathered Pine-Cone

Roosters are beautiful without any help.
They can make everything beautiful...
just look at this pine tree.
This young rooster makes the tree so beautiful that the rooster may be mistaken for a pine-cone. (if he was in an oak tree, the rooster would look like an acorn)

Mr. Fang is not a dentist

I am a snake lover. I have been fascinated with them since I was 10 years old. The venomous varieties are my favorite. I can't believe how many rattlesnakes I've seen this month. Yesterday afternoon, I was cleaning up some construction trash from the latest chicken coop project. I always prepare my mind for an unexpected encounter. That's why I wasn't surprised to find this beautiful snake under the last piece of plywood.
They're here! They won't hurt you if you don't touch them...
Please, be careful.

The 8-Pack

These babies are adorable and precious and each one has what it takes to melt your heart. They are three days old and tomorrow I'm going to let them go for their first walk. These babies are all from the same mother hen. She had a nest box on the porch. She was able to lay one egg per day and she never had to share the nest with any other hens. So, there are eight chicks in this batch. They are very beautiful. Eight little fuzzy balls of love and they get to be raised by their very own mother. This is exciting because it doesn't happen very often. The hens are always changing nest boxes and that usually means that eggs get mixed up and babies get raised by hens that are not their mother. Well, it sounds like we're heading towards happiness on the roadmap of motherly love!

Saturday already

The week went quickly. Maybe today will go a little slower.
Roosters, chickens...and, chicks make everyday Saturday.
And, now that the Summer has started...we should try to recapture the magic of youth by playing as hard as we used to during summer vacation. A youthful mind has no concept of time. Every moment can be magical...when it is timeless. To succeed at this...you must believe it. Clarity will do the rest...
Stay in the moment...that's where youth is.
(return to the magic).

Why I do this...

Loving chickens is a rewarding experience. The work involved is practically non-stop. The heartbreak can be overwhelming. Dealing with predators requires constant thinking. Territory disputes can flair up without warning. Every time you look into their eyes, you know that it might be the last time you see them. They can disappear and leave no clue about why. Sometimes, there is only a pile of feathers.
But, that's not the best stuff...the real reason I love chickens is that it only takes 21 days to turn eggs into fuzzy yellow balls of love. There is nothing I can do for the world that is better than this!
I hope you can see what I mean...
Cheep, cheep, cheep!

Just So You Know

Here is a picture that I took this morning.
The second that I pushed the button, I heard the cry of a chicken. I turned towards the noise. I was barely able to catch a glimpse of a coyote running away with one of my hens in its mouth. My dog chased it...with no success. I saw a little baby chick running towards me...now, motherless! I felt very sad. I hate knowing that I wasn't able to prevent such suffering. I don't want any of them hurt.
I realize that the coyote is now studying my behavior. Since last week, I have spent much more time with my birds. The coyote has had to up the ante...he was only about 100 feet away from me when he grabbed the hen. Tomorrow, I will be ready for him...
Here is what was going on when terror struck...

Rattlesnake Capitol Of The World

Yesterday, I was walking next to the wood pile and very nearly stepped on this rattlesnake. I have stepped next to them...and over them...but, I've never stepped on a rattler. I still can't believe my mind was able to override my motor skills when I was committed and only an inch away with that step. Somehow, I saw my own foot/leg defy gravity and balance. My foot went over and beyond the snake. The next step was a giant leap...
Then, I went and grabbed the camera...
This morning, I was walking near the lumber pile, again. Right near where the rattler was, I found a shed skin of a California Kingsnake...it was halfway down a hole in the ground. I wonder if there's a den of rattlers down there.
Bzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

Too Nice to Work

The weather is pretty nice today...
First, I'll spray some work-repellent on myself...
then, I think I'll do some power-lounging.
Anyway, I need more time with my roosters.
I might just stay here all day!
(again!)