Morning Star

Go towards the light!
Another day has found us...
another chance to prove that this is not a dream.
Every day might seem the same...
but, there's a new adventure waiting to be had.
Greet the new morning with a sincere heart...
and the day will be a gift to unwrap
...and enjoy!

Happy Fathers Day

Dominant and strong...
Loud and proud...
Provider,
Protector,
Patriarch...
The symbolism is parallel
and one compliments the other...
The Rooster...The Father
The Leader,
The Example,
The Giver...
Not for recognition or profit
not for ego or spite...
but, for family, ethic
and everything right.

Special people are sometimes invisible. A person who is not motivated by profit or fame are at one with themselves and will do something because it needs to be done. They understand that there aren't enough helpers in the world. The Ego is satisfied by the sharing of any burden. So the help may be given...and then, the helper may disappear before anyone can thank them. So, they become unseen/invisible...That's why the greatest man is really nobody.
Great roosters and great fathers are inspirational. Luckily, I have both and I am very grateful.
Thank you, Dad!

A Short Story

The heartbreak continues...
The 'Nameless' rooster has already been killed by the same coyote that killed Jet. Nameless was only the king for two days. I only have two adult roosters left. I have never lost so many birds before. It's hard to appreciate that this is what is necessary...that life feeds on life...only the best must survive...and from that we can start over.
Life is short...but, moments last forever.
Roosters are warriors that welcome challenges at any moment.
If we can evolve...we can win!

These are Nameless' last photos...
He was very beautiful and much more rooster than he ever got to demonstrate. He was about 8-9 months old.

A Long Story

This time, it was a gophersnake...
he was in the chicken coop.
No loss was suffered.

Shakin' All Over

Sometimes, the mood is right for a fancy dance step...
A flap of the wing feathers...
or, even an uncontrolable wiggle.
At other times, everything starts moving.
Stay in step...go with the flow...
Life is just music...
So, dance to it!

The Changing Of Guards

Nine days ago, the late Jet(R.I.P.) fought a bloody contest with an unnamed rooster. It was a territory dispute. It was the hardest fight Jet ever won. Both roosters suffered bruises, scratches, bites, exhaustion, eyelid damage and feather loss. To the challenger's credit, it was the first fight where Jet was unable to put his opponent on the ground. Both roosters were able to remain standing for the entire fight...
Today, the champion Jet is no longer with us. A coyote killed him two days ago. The first place contender is ready to step up and officially accept his role as Top Rooster here at Rancho Giro. He was Jet's toughest battle and he is ready for the job. This cycle will repeat itself as deemed necessary by Nature.
The nameless one saluted Jet this morning at a pre-Sunrise ceremony...The Guard has officially changed.
All hail the new King!

The late Jet(L) and the nameless one(R)

...the nameless one offers a moment of silence...

"Salute" to Jet

Standing where Jet stood...

"I am the King...Jet sent me"

Snakeboots

It's nice to have the right equipment for any job.
These snake boots are tools for a craftsman.
They are guaranteed to be 'bite-proof'.
I conducted a field test of the boots, yesterday. This snake was about three feet long. Very thick and heavy. It was also extremely quick and that made him a little difficult to catch. He crawled under various piles of materials to hide. He was safely secured and relocated. The test went well. I tried many ways to get him to strike at my feet. He would not. So, although there was no strike at the boots...we confirmed that, if given an exit, rattlesnakes will not strike at you. Rattlesnakes are timid around humans. They don't want trouble...and neither do I.
Hey, Dad! Thanks, for the boots...