What's THAT?

Well...what are you staring at?
I mean...let's face it...I'M CUTE!!!

Feathers Are Electric

They are like beautifully shaped light bulbs...
when they flap, they seem to turn on...
bright, dim, bright
flap, flap, flap
on, off, on, off...
ONNNNNNNNNNNNN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Streaks of light...
tattoo my eyes
moments of bliss
to be held for a second
and then forgotten.
The Retinal Circus is back in town...
(at Rancho Giro)

Dusturbance!!!

Any calm can be disturbed. Every still pond of water can be sent rippling...all it takes is one pebble. There were some very nice roommates living here with us. They decided to move on without much warning. So they were moving their stuff the last few days. Things went smoothly...but, the estimated time was way off. It took a couple more days than originally planned. Anyway, it will be an adjustment that might keep me away from this blog every so often. I'm still loving my chickens...nothing could ever change that. But, the calm of Rancho Giro has been broken by a temporary disturbance...
(Sorry, for the inconvenience)

 

Who? Me???

This is the first rooster I've ever had with these colors...
He is very much a fighter. He has proven that beauty can be mean and handsome at the same time. He is going to be awesome when he reaches maturity. He sure looks like a champion and a survivor. These are the best roosters and this guy is another piece of proof.

Saying Goodbye To Youth...Hello To Testosterone

It's too bad that youth goes by so quickly. When we are young, we never realize that we are in a magical time...the days of growing up and falling down. We never understand how fast it is passing...or, how it will never return. But, youngsters want to be grown ups and so they try to leap out of their youth. Thankfully, chickens are just the opposite. Roosters and hens are inclined to remain youthful. The adult section of the pecking order carries much responsibilities. Things are very competitive...and so, there is no
need to rush anything. Pretty soon, there won't be any magic...
...only hens and testosterone...
"Cock-a-doodle-do"...translated: Goodbye, Youth!
Here are some of the next doodle-doers...

 

 

 

 

A Beautiful Mother

Her name is Reddy...
She is one of my original hens and she is the only one that is still alive. She is the very best mother. She is so loving and protective of her babies. She never starts fights. She has broken up fights many times. I used to think that chickens never die of old age. But, Reddy is starting to look a little bit tired. I don't know how old she is because she was full grown when I got her. I have had her for nearly six years. That's a long time to be free-range in the middle of Predator-Land. I think this picture captures the essence of Reddy and why I love chickens so much!

Beaten, Battered And You

Brotherly love is a good thing...right?
So who is the imposter?
He looks familiar...
but, he only wants to fight.
If this is really love...
I've had enough.
I'm black and blue...
thanks to you.
(Good Night!)

Black and blue brothers

Sunny Shiny Rooster

This rooster is so red
I thought I was taking a picture of the sunrise...
Shine on, feathery sun!

Reaching For The Sky

Wings and things...
keep reaching high
up and up beyond the sky.

No way to stay
grounded down...
We dream and so
cannot be bound.

No limits known
to the feathered wing
for in the sky
the heart will sing.

Winging It...

I always try to get 'action' shots when I take pictures. I think the flapping wings of a proud rooster is the best thing to see. But, they don't flap them too often...and, they fly even less. So, any pictures of wings are the result of much positioning, waiting, hoping, coaxing, bribing...etcetera. Plus, there are many pictures that get taken that are 'almost' usable. There are even 'bad' shots that look good! Here's a couple of bad ones...and one good one!
Even if there's only one good one...that's enough to make it worth the effort. The best shots are yet to be!

Sunrise Silhouette

The morning was picture perfect, again.
We are very lucky...
We should all flap our wings to start such a beautiful day!
The rest of the day...
we can sing!

Young Roosters

These guys are almost adults...
but, they are still enjoying their youth.
So, for now, the grown-up stuff can wait...
It won't be long before playing and having fun are just memories. Being an adult rooster means to serve the cackling hens. It's a servitude that never ends. It isn't fun...it is work...
So, enjoy this while you can...
Play! Play! Play!!!

I Looked At You

I get high
when
I see you
go by...
my,
oh my!

A Balance Of Color

Sometimes, the day can be very monochromatic. But, today all the colors were shining through. These pictures seem to have a very balanced range of colors through them. I'm not ever thinking of these things when I'm taking pictures. I think that all colors are visible...all the time. But, I don't think the camera believes it.