It's been a busy past few days. Spring always brings more chores -- our muscles are sore!
We're planning on selling some of our calves so Alan and I were out in the pastures this evening trying to get photos of the ones we want to sell. They were not very cooperative. I'll have to try again.
I did manage to get a few photos I like -- not of any calves we want to sell, but at least the time wasn't a complete waste of time! Here are a few of my favorite shots from this evening...
This is Edward Scissorbeak. He's one of the free chicks we received last year from Ideal Poultry. We ordered a handful of chicks from them, and they included 7 "free warmer chicks" along with the ordered chicks to keep the box of babies warm during shipment. He's a beautiful red brown Ameraucana rooster -- with a bit of a beak problem. His top beak is correct (though a bit too curved due to the lower beak's issue), but his bottom beak jets off to the right of his face. He gets along just fine, though he does need a deep dish of food to eat from or he has trouble getting a bite to eat. But other than his wacky smile, he's your typical rooster, and rather humorous to have around.
He's rather food obsessed, so he follows me around like a puppy if I have anything in my hand (like a bucket, bowl, or camera) thinking I'm going to give him a snack. He's the proud father of two of the chicks that hatched out here last week -- Edwina who hatched here a couple weeks ago, and the white chick you all ooooh'd and ahhhhh'd over last week. He's quite a character...
This is Queenie, one of our Dexter cows, enjoying some fresh green grass and sunshine. We've had a couple days of rain recently, and thankfully the pastures are starting to green up. Alan said we might even get a bit more rain tomorrow evening! That's good news!! We NEED the rain!!
Our back pasture is full of bluebonnets right now -- so pretty!
Our neighbor raises Texas Longhorns. Their pasture is full of bluebonnets too!
One of the longhorn babies came to visit the fence to see what I was up to. More than likely, it wanted to know if I had any cow cookies. Sorry baby, no cookies in my pockets today!
This is one of our barn cats, Chief. He was born last summer and is still very playful, and VERY "helpful" around the farm (he follows Alan everywhere...) He's hunting for grasshoppers in the pasture.
More of the neighbor's longhorns, snacking in the evening sun.
Hope you had a wonderful weekend!!
PS: If you or anyone you know is interested in buying any Dexter calves, let me know! *grin*
WOW, the photos are amazing Anna!! Last weekend we had your rain at my house, I'll send it back to you now...
Posted by: paula | April 05, 2009 at 06:43 AM
It's a joy to view your gorgeous photographs! Makes me long to walk your farm with my own camera! I have some relatives in TX...I'll have to schedule a special visit! Don't worry, I'll call first, lol!
Posted by: Danielle | April 03, 2009 at 07:16 AM
Hmmm, tempting. Do you offer free shipping?
Posted by: Doris | April 02, 2009 at 03:12 AM
Edward reminds me of some of the faces Red Skelton used to make in his comedy routines. Your warmth in describing all of your animals makes me smile. It makes me think of teachers and how we describe those students who sneak into our hearts, despite the qualities that are less than endearing sometimes.
Thanks for choosing to share your corner of the world with others. :-)
Kelly in Ohio
Posted by: Kelly | March 31, 2009 at 02:16 PM
Beautiful pics. I don't know how you keep track of all your critters' names. But, I sure enjoy hearing about them and the names add so much to your stories. I would love to buy one of your Dexters, but sadly, I don't have a place for one, well not a place where I could have one legally!
Posted by: Troy Louise | March 30, 2009 at 04:07 PM
Fabulous photos - I so love when you share the farm with us!
Posted by: Erika M | March 30, 2009 at 03:44 PM
wow, such beautiful photos. I would love a Dexter calf but somehow I don't think it would work here in suburbia NJ ;) One of these days.....
Thanks as always for sharing your beautiful animals. The rooster is just too cute with his little crooked smile and the cows, well i love them!!! The Longhorns are beautiful-you've got some good looking neighbors
Posted by: Meredith | March 30, 2009 at 11:02 AM
I absolutely love the fields of bluebonnets. . .especially the one with the longhorn in the bluebonnet field! You should sell copies of that one! I'm a fellow Texan who loves it every year when the bluebonnets are in bloom. Waiting for my little girl to take pictures of her in them. My boys are cute too, but not quite the same as a little girl I think! Thanks for sharing!
Posted by: Melissa (smileytexan) | March 30, 2009 at 10:45 AM
I thoroughly enjoyed the photos, as always...Edward is VERY handsome, sans the funky beak! LOL It gives him great character, though! I can't wait for our grass to get green, we just had snow over the weekend. Thankfully it didn't stay long...
I'd LOVE to have some Dexter cattle, but it's pretty far to TX...and I probably couldn't afford them, either! They are really beautiful, though! :D
Posted by: diane mcvey | March 30, 2009 at 10:17 AM
Love these photos! The sunshine, green grass and pasture of bluebonnets really makes me smile! Thanks for sharing.
Posted by: Beth M | March 30, 2009 at 08:23 AM
Ahhh! I love getting a 'photo fix' from your blog. Your pictures are so luminous and beautiful, and you're terrific at capturing interesting and beautiful sights and moments. Thanks!
Posted by: Shellie Daniel | March 30, 2009 at 08:14 AM
Beautiful photos - I love seeing the green grass.. we are still so brown and dry here in central Texas... need some rain too-
Love your photos - so wish I could come and get a photo lesson from you!
HUGS
MichelleO
Posted by: MichelleO | March 30, 2009 at 07:58 AM
Started following your blog because I like your stamping style - now I'm finding I like your comments and photos of your chickens, animals and ranch life too. Favorite so far is the chocolate chick - so adorable! Thank you for your blog!
Posted by: Luanne tenHarmsel | March 30, 2009 at 07:34 AM
I love your pasture of bluebonnets. Every year I try to get the kids pictures in the bluebonnets. I have to settle for spots on the side of the road though.
Posted by: Amy D | March 30, 2009 at 07:08 AM
It is crazy how it absolutely is Spring at your house and mine is still in Winter mode and we don't live that far away from each other. :) Minnesota here.
Posted by: Sherry | March 30, 2009 at 05:35 AM
What superb photos - as ever. I subscribe to your blog but unfortunately never comment but that doesn't mean I don't appreciate what I read and see. Your blog is truly inspirational in many different ways and, when you have 5, I'd like you to pop over to my blog as I have something for you ....
Posted by: Pam (PeeJay) | March 30, 2009 at 04:39 AM
I always love to see your pictures of the animals on the farm!thanks for sharing them with us.
Posted by: Debbie | March 30, 2009 at 04:26 AM
Gorgeous animals! Great pics.
Posted by: Toni K | March 30, 2009 at 04:04 AM
I love seeing pictures of your four footed dependants.
Posted by: Laurie in MN | March 29, 2009 at 11:10 PM
Thanks Anna for the lovely landscape photos that allowed me to escape for a while :)
But unfortunately, you know with me, I'll have either a chicken question or a cow question LOL ! Since I'm getting a handle on all of your critters, I wanted to ask you about your neighbor's Texas Longhorns. What are they "known" or bred for? ((No laughing, especially since I really don't eat or buy red meat all that often.)) They certainly have a ~rack~ on them [Hubba Hubba! lol] ... is it just the males that have the horns or both?
Thanks Anna ! I think you should reconsider the name of your Blog ... what about changing it to "Ask The Chicken Chic!" :)))
Posted by: Robb_eeie | March 29, 2009 at 09:35 PM
I love Edward's coloring, just beautiful. I sure hope that baby longhorn grows into his ears! He's absolutely adorable but my goodness, he looks like a cab with the doors open! (don't tell him I said that!) What a pretty pasture of bluebonnets!
Posted by: Dotty | March 29, 2009 at 09:26 PM