Well, spring has sprung, I think! The occasional 70 degree days were so welcome. Except for the dip into the 40’s on an early morning or two, the weather has been promising.
Today, we found a pond turtle on a mission, striding along our driveway. Looks like she was looking for a place to lay her eggs. It seemed a bit earlier than usual, but I am going to mark the spot, in hopes of seeing little turtles emerging in a couple of months.
Papa Goose is patrolling the perimeter of the pond, while his mate is sitting on her eggs. He seems to leave at night, and flies back at dawn to resume his position. We have marked the calendar, to be on the alert for the new goslings!
The robins are checking out last year’s nests – one under my upper deck, and the other is under the roof of Callen’s old swing set.
The pigeons seem to be the first ones to lay their eggs, even when it is super cold. There are some fledglings ready to fly, in the eaves of my barn. Soon to return – the barn swallows! There are at least 18 nests all in the barn – mud nests attached to the light fixtures (not the best place in my opinion) and beams in the barn ceiling.
The hummingbird feeders need to be cleaned and hung. The hummingbirds are due in April, I think. I always look forward to their return!
While we are on the subject of birds and their babies- Callen’s egg business was in need of some fresh blood, so to speak! Some of the hens are aging out, and enjoying their retirement. That means less (or no) eggs. Sooo, on impulse, I ran into Tractor Supply a month ago, and they had 8 chicks left. Rustic Rocks – a mixed breed. One woman got 2, I foolishly got 4. A moment of weakness again! What was I thinking! It’s been too cold to put them outside, and too cold in the basement, so they reside in my studio bathroom. Everything has been pulled out, or covered up, because chicken dust is the WORST! After graduating from a puppy tent in the tub, they are now in a bigger tent on the bathroom floor, with 3 chicken heaters. At this writing, they are almost 5 weeks old, and feisty. They will graduate to the basement soon (I hope!), then when the weather is warmer, they will be outside in the nursery coop. When old enough to hold their own with the big hens, the foursome will join Burl and his 3 semi-retired silkie/Australorp sister wives. Burl, who is pictured with Callen on his egg cartons, will have 6 girls to rule over. I keep threatening to get more chicks when the weather really warms up, but we shall see. My days of incubating are over, because the chances of hatching baby roos is too great! I have run out of volunteers to take surplus roosters.
Along with spring’s baby birds and animals, warm weather has Callen longing to go to the New Market Battlefield again. We have been twice already, and he is looking forward to any re-enactments they may have coming. He probably knows the grounds and the museums by heart now. Last year, we saw an eagle soar over the overlook. This year, not so lucky, just vultures.
I hope you enjoy your April days, without too many showers to bring those May flowers – many of which are already blooming!
All is well, here at Mountain Meadows, on this warm and breezy day.
