Thanks to all of you who've left notes and sent emails wanting to know how the farm animals have been doing. I'm so glad you appreciate them as much as we do! Just for you, I went out this evening and took some new photos. It's been a bit cloudy and windy today so getting photos was a bit challenging, but I managed to get a few good ones.
First, I thought I'd introduce you to a new critter. (Not new to the farm, just new to you.) This is Junior. Spot Junior, to be exact. He's one of the barn cats. He's a very good helper while we're out at the barn -- always making sure we get things done right, I think.
Even though it doesn't look like it in this photo, he really does have two eyes. I think he was just dozing (aka "working hard") when I caught him sitting on the tractor seat. I couldn't resist taking his photo. Of course, as soon as he heard me take his photo he jumped down off the tractor and flopped over on the ground begging for a belly rub. Yes...a real WILD animal. As WILD as they come.
The new calf has a name now... meet Ribeye! He's a wild animal too! So wild in fact, it's very difficult for me to get a photo of him because he has to get so CLOSE to me! I can't focus on something close enough to touch noses with! But he's sure a cutie. He sleeps a LOT during the day, but when he decides it's time to play he sprints around the barnyard chasing anything he can find. Chickens, cats, shadows... I can't believe he's 13 days old already! What a monster!
We don't think Ribeye will have horns. When a cow naturally doesn't have horns, it's called "polled". Polled Dexter cattle seem to have a bit more value than horned Dexter cattle. Ribeye's mother, Princess, is also a polled cow. A lot of people consider polled cattle a bit safer to work with than horned cattle (duh!).
Dixie's Chick is getting BIG, and like the rest of the "hard working" animals on the farm, she's lazy. In this photo you can see her horns starting to come in -- they're about an inch long now. Her mother, Dixie, has long forward pointing horns. Ouchie-waawaa if she were to head butt anyone! We hope Chick's hair continues to lighten up a bit to a nice chocolatey brown. She's so pretty in the sun! And we don't need any more black cows!
Fitz is getting HUGE! Growing like a weed! Still ornery just like his mother. When Ribeye gets a few weeks older, we'll separate Chick, Ribeye and Fitz from their mothers, and keep them in a smaller barnyard where we can work with them a bit more than we can now. They're all friendly enough animals, but Fitz tends to get bossed by his CRANKY mother a bit too much. We don't want her lack of social skills to rub off on him. So we'll put the babies in the barnyard, force affection and critter cookies on them, and teach them how to socialize with people.
Should be a rodeo.
More stunning photo's of the fur children!! LOVE the pics and of course their updates. As I've said many times before I just absolutely love the fact that you share them with us! When I first looked at "Spot Junior" I thought oh, look...he's winking at Anna!! Happy Birthday to Alan!! :)
Posted by: Dotty | April 24, 2007 at 09:07 PM
Well, the babies are more adorable than ever. Of course, I am not supposed to have favorites, but "Pierre" is way too cute. I was going to say something to Alan about the baby's name but it is his birthday after all so I will save it for another time. tee hee. All your furry kids are so much fun and I thank you for sharing them with us. janet in nc
Posted by: janetwmarks | April 24, 2007 at 07:24 PM
Anna, thanks for sharing all your wonderful pictures of the animals. They are so refreshing to look at, and you make me feel like I am right there. Thanks again for sharing your blog, it makes my day complete!
Posted by: Deb | April 24, 2007 at 05:12 PM
Anna, I love it when you show off your darling farm animals. That little Ribeye is so darling. What fun you must have every day watching all those adorable babies.
Posted by: Kittie Caracciolo | April 24, 2007 at 03:51 PM
Anna,
Thanks for the animal update. I always love kitty pictures and Fritz is going like a week because he is eating weeds -- look at the photo! :-) Love your commentary too.... adds tons to the photos.
Isn't today Alan's birthday? Wish him a good one for me! Take care, Manetta
p.s. how are those turken's doing?
Posted by: Manetta Deggelman | April 24, 2007 at 12:00 PM
Oh...they really have grown! WOW.
OK..I DON'T want to know if Ribeye is aprophetic name...let me keep my rose coloured glasses on !! I picture you all living in this idilic world where nothing ever gets hurt..well maybe a few eggs for breakfast LOL!
Thanks for the update..I love when I click on your site and see the animals! beautiful work!
Sue
Posted by: Sue | April 24, 2007 at 11:00 AM
My, how they've grown! I just love the glimpses into your Farm life. The animals are all adorable and listening to your stories one can tell they are loved and well taken care of.
That pic of Ribeye had me chuckling- the look on his face says: "Don't mess with me!"
(reminds me of the looks I get from my almost 13 year old son quite often,LOL).
Thanks for sharing!
Anette (snowmom13) :0D
Posted by: Anette Eakins | April 24, 2007 at 09:55 AM
OH MY GOODNESS!!! They are AMAZING!!! I can't get over how they've grown, WOW, WOW, WOW. I LOVE your creative work and learning about your life on the farm is just as fascinating to me. PROFESSIONAL quality photos make it look as though I could just touch the screen and kiss them! THANK YOU!
Posted by: Juanita | April 24, 2007 at 09:42 AM
Thanks for the update on your baby critters!
Posted by: kathynruss | April 24, 2007 at 06:18 AM
Anna, thanks so much for sharing your pictures! I love them all.
Posted by: Paula Bloom | April 24, 2007 at 06:09 AM
Anna I love the pics but I'm worried about the animals ...my grandfather had a farm and if one of the 9 children named an animal it was theirs to care for and not to eat ...is this your way of thinking????
Posted by: Doreen | April 24, 2007 at 05:45 AM
Thanks for sharing the great photos!
Posted by: Kenna | April 24, 2007 at 05:29 AM
oh, p.s.: Lovely composition in your photos. As always. I could look at your work for days. It has such a soothing yet dynamic quality. I'd recognize an Anna Wight photo anywhere!
Posted by: kayjaydee (Kelli Doubek) | April 24, 2007 at 04:42 AM
I love all the photos and the stories of life on a farm (or is it a ranch?) Anna, I have to know, (having a friend here in the Chicago burbs who does farming and raises cows too... and eventually fills her freezer with meat from cows named Meatloaf or Ground Chuck (Chuck for short...) is Ribeye a prophetic literal term or just a punny moniker?
Email me back... [email protected]
Thanks!
Posted by: kayjaydee (Kelli Doubek) | April 24, 2007 at 04:40 AM
Oh wow! What a menagerie and I love every one of them!! Ribeye looks like he might be a little crabby later on! I'm so glad you said Junior had 2 eyes because I was getting worried there. Fitz is just adorable and so is Dixie's Chick even if she is getting horney -- opps! I mean HORNS!
Posted by: Viv (VivLyn) | April 24, 2007 at 03:47 AM
Oh my gosh, I want to come visit you and the critters!! All the pictures are great, as always, and it looks like the "kids" are doing very well! Thanks so much for the update, I love hearing about them! We have been "doctoring" a raccoon with a broken leg in our barn...(hubby's a vet, but not in practice now) and he's getting better. It makes me feel so good to know I've helped it! Again, thanks for the great pictures! LOVE all your animals!
Posted by: diane mcvey | April 23, 2007 at 11:15 PM
So cool! I just love your pictures. Thanks for the update :)
Posted by: jkincolorado | April 23, 2007 at 08:36 PM
These photos are amazing!! Thank you sooo much for sharing these cuties with all of us. I look forward to updates. :0)
Just wanted to let you know that I have tagged you. This one is a little different though. Go check out my blog...you're it! ;0)
Posted by: Tracy | April 23, 2007 at 08:22 PM
Looks like Fitz is finally growing into his ears =D
Posted by: ~liz | April 23, 2007 at 08:20 PM