Pride Never Dies

I have lost many champion roosters in the past two months. It's been very hard not having a reigning patriarch to keep order among the ranks. The roosters are all pretty young right now. But, as always, dominance cannot be hidden. A new leader has stepped out of the group to claim the birthright of the bloodline. Whether he will be able to enforce any such authority...remains to be seen.
Run it up the flagpole...see who salutes!
With the right combination of strength, gentleness and pride...it is possible to forge virtue from feathers!
Happy Monday!

 

Hissy Fit

Another snakes-are-here phase has begun. I was unable to get pictures of the last couple of snakes. Yesterday, I caught a beautiful Coachwhip(Red Racer)...but I couldn't get him untangled from the bicycle spokes. So, I let go of it...and it vanished. They are so quick. Immediately afterward, I found this California Kingsnake out near the chicken coop. So, this could be the start of another high-activity/high occurrence period. I'm not surprised.
This Kingsnake was very docile. The chickens didn't want to get near it. It was about 28 inches in length. I saw one last week that was over 48 inches long. I didn't catch it...it was also in the chicken coop.
So, stay cognizant of the possibility...
Snakes are everywhere!

Relaxing My Colors...

Everyone needs to stretch out in the sun...
(it's good for your feathers)

Where do baby chicks go when they disappear?

It's not magic...that's for sure!
One second here...
another second gone...
forever!
Danger is everywhere...
and it's usually very beautiful.
(and, permanent)

Look close...Death is watching from a branch

Lightning quick...nearly invisible

Hawks avoid people...but, chickens are too much to resist

This is pure vulnerability...3 days old

Relaxing My Colors...

Everyone needs to stretch out in the sun...
(it's good for your feathers)

Hot Weather Cold Watermelon

I like the heat...
it can be endured much easier than the cold.
But, on a hot day a cold watermelon cannot be resisted. It's just the best...juicy, sweet, cold...and for baby chicks, a little bit sticky. They always get dirty faces but they love dirt, too!
It all gets cleaned off with a dirt bath...

It's Peaceful At Sunrise

Although it was very serene this morning, the chickens were not in the mood to be photographed. They just ran from the camera like it was a monster...like a monster that temporarily blinds you
...FLASH!!! I was happy to find an alternate subject that was willing to act out the solitude so that I could capture the mood in pictures. CLICK!!!
Thanks! Have a safe weekend...

Today's Best Roosters

I couldn't think of anything to write about. I have been busy with a lot of regular routine stuff. Like another hen became a mother. There are four new baby chicks. A different hen was found dead with no clues about what happened. I also spend a lot of time with the injured raven...etcetera, etcetera, etcetera...
And so, here are some pictures that I was able to grab today. They are some beautiful young roosters. They all have a lot of potential. They are some of the finest I've ever had...
...like any good Friday...
anything can happen!

Treedom Is Freedom

It's nice to see something other than pinecones up in the branches. The birds really like it up in the tree. They are always calm and happy when they are there. Plus, they add a lot of color to the foliage...I'm very fortunate to be able to give these birds this kind of freedom. It allows them to exercise more and eat a more complete diet. So, I believe the extra space makes them better birds. I know they would never be happy in cages. Unless, they're big enough for a tree...

Top Bunk...Bottom Bunk

Nothing feels safer than sleeping under Mama's wing...
or, under Mama...
or, on top of Mama...
It's pretty amazing what mother hens will endure for their little baby chicks...and even when they're not so little. She loves them with her entire being. Everything she does is for them. She even makes the beds...
Thanks, Mama

The Rooster Yucca

Do roosters really come from the yucca plant?
I think this one's in fool bloom...
We better call a gardener...
Will the plant make seeds...or eggs?

My Fave Rave

There is much 'fave' when I speak of this 'rave'...three and a half weeks ago, this raven entered my life. It was seriously injured. I have been caring for it ever since. I have been amazed by this bird's courage and determination. Not only that, it has already healed in ways that I did not expect to be possible. He still has a long way to go...but, his condition improves every minute. I hope he can keep amazing me...and, someday, leave me behind and fly away!
That would be worth crying about...but, it would make me more happy than sad. If he never leaves here, then I'll give him a name.
Until then, it's my favorite raven.

Just A Quick Reminder

This afternoon, I was taking a nap. I was awakened by a commotion with the chickens. I looked out the window just in time to see a hawk grab this baby chick(see picture). I ran outside and found the hawk had landed nearby. My dog and I got as close as we could and then charged towards the hawk. The hawk was startled and dropped the baby chick. Sadly, it was already dead. I walked across the hillside to The Pantheon(my pet cemetery). I buried the baby chick with the champion pets of the past. And, it all took less than five minutes...
So, please don't take anything for granted. If you do...you will not be prepared to lose it. It only takes a second for it to be gone...

This baby chick was taken by a hawk today.

Just Another Day?

Every day is a new day...
and so, we breathe every breath
with humility and gratitude.
It might seem like a familiar routine...
but, it's never the same.
We can't know what the day will bring
until we are living it...
Today is a seed...waiting...wanting to grow.
It must be cultivated...cared for.
With a gardener's love, the branches can reach out...
ever farther upward...
beyond all dreams and expectations.
It is without guarantee...
except, that without a gardener...
it won't even germinate!
Today is just a seed...water it and see it grow.