Wildlife Wednesday ~ Birds

As the seasons pass here in Upstate NY, we see species of birds come and go. Fall is that time of year we get to see large flocks, swarms or gatherings of birds as they prepare to fly south to warmer regions.

One thing we noticed this year is birds that we normally do not see on the farm. A couple of weeks ago, a whole group of Bluebirds were seen in the upper pastures. It was neat to see their bright blue feathers as they flew from ground to fence and back.

A group of Eastern Bluebirds hanging out on the fence within the pastures.

Every fall, we always see a lot of Canadian Geese because of the pond. I think they like it there because it’s rather secluded. Can’t say that I blame them either because I like it for the same reason.

Just a few of the geese that come to visit every year

We’ve seen more Wild Turkeys too. This spring, there were 20 poults hatched and wandering around the pastures. It’s an amazing sight to see when all the hens (mother turkeys) would gather together with the little ones.

We’ve seen baltimore orioles and bobolinks too. There are Savannah Sparrows, Chickadees, Cardinals, Blue Jays and so many other birds that I don’t even know names for. We’ve had Great Blue Herons and Snowy Egrets. We’ve seen a Bald Eagle too.

Two male Bobolinks in one of the pastures during late spring and early summer. We had a total of four pairs this year…up from two the year previous and just one the year before that.

Sparrows on a temporary post that divides the pasture paddocks

Life in the country is actually rather amazing, if you just take the time to stop and see what’s around you. Sometimes, you just really need to sit, watch and observe…or you miss out on some really neat things around you.

Cow bird found in the pasture right next to the cows.

Early summer the Killdeer will nest in a couple of specific areas of the pastures.

It’s common to see birds sitting on fence lines.

Hope that you enjoy the “snippet” of birds we are fortunate enough to see all summer long. Next year, I’m hoping to host a “Bird Photography Day” here on the farm and allow all kinds of bird watchers to come set up, take photos and hopefully capture more of the amazing birds we have here.

If you are interested in coming out to the farm to bird watch, just give us a shout! Send an email to farmgirldoreen@gmail.com. Hit me up on twitter @CNYfarmgirl or find us on facebook at www.facebook.com/barrowsfarm.

 

 

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Friday Surprise

Yes, I know….It’s Sunday but, I haven’t really had time to sit down and think about writing  since Friday morning.

That morning, I went out to do my morning chores and while gathering up our milk cow out of the pasture, I noticed that one of the Dexter’s was missing. The other two laid up on the diversion ditch with their calves, relaxing in the early morning sun.

I figured I would do my morning chores of milking and feeding and then once I turned Belle, our Jersey cow, back out into the pasture, I would take a walk through the wet grass to find out how Minnie, our smallest Dexter, was doing.

So after chores, I turned Belle back into the pasture paddock. By this time, all of the Dexters had disappeared from sight. Down over the small hill I go. As I crest the top to the point where I can see the lower end of the paddock…I see one, two, three black Dexters and next to them: one, two and oh wait…what’s that dark lump right there in the tall grass?

THREE CALVES!!! Our last and final calf was born! We haven’t been running too good on our stats for female calves, otherwise known as heifers. I was excited and couldn’t wait to see if it was a girl…I walk next to them. The mother was fine with me being there as long as I didn’t bend down or squat but finally…I got to check! IT’S A GIRL!  With a big Woo-hoo whoop, I managed to scare the calf and her mother…but all settled down quickly.

Here are some photos of our precious girl and only heifer calf of the Dexter clan!

Our newest addition!

Momma! Wait for me!!!

Mini-Me (aka MeMe) compared to Mr. Farmer’s hand

Here is the first image captured of our little girl~

Quiet Mornings

Sometimes, everything is so quiet around the farm you can here the rain water seeping into the ground. The birds will be singing and chirping. The sun is barely up, a slight fog hanging in the air. As the fog gathers into bigger drops, you can hear them pattering on the metal barn roof and the leaves of the trees.

It’s a peaceful kind of quiet when all you really hear is nature all around you. No cars, no horns or loud exhausts. No blaring television or radios. No artificial lights. Just brown earth, green grasses and leaves. Just bugs and birds. Just the trickle of water running in a stream.

To me, that is Heaven on Earth.

Today…I will be “quiet” and leave you with a few photos that capture what I see with my eyes. Too bad I don’t have any audio to add to it…….

Blue Skies and Green Grass

Dew drops

A lovely little white moth

Tiny little flower buds that are just open

Amazing how the water droplets of dew cling to different plants in different ways…