A Farm Update in Photos

We had a bit of rain last night, which always puts me in a happy mood. I love rain! Weather like we had to day reminds me so much of the pacific northwest. It just feels "right". I pulled out my camera and Alan and I walked around the farm to see what we could see. Here are a few photos for you.

 
This bush is blooming near the house. I think it's some sort of hollyhock, but I'm not sure.

 
The goats were enjoying fresh green grass.

 
And then Alan rattled the treat bag...the race was on.

 
It's nearly impossible to photograph BAD Boxcar Betty. I always get "action" shots (aka: blurrrrr).

 
Callio-Pea always brings up the rear.

 
CallioPea's wattles are really swingin'!

 
Lucy and Darcy were munching grass.

 
The other cows were munching grass, too. Notice all the wildflowers! Pretty!

 
The blue bonnets are really fragrant.

 
There are all kinds of flowers blooming, and so many that haven't started blooming yet!

 
The Indian Paint Brush are so neon! I think they are so pretty!

 
The neighbors have lots of Indian Paint Brush this year!

 
...look at that storm north of us!

 
Unfortunately, the poison ivy is growing like crazy, too... this particular plant (and it wasn't the only one like this) has wound it's way up to the top of a fence post, and will soon be more like a tree than a bush! YUCK!

 
Another horrible pest here are fire ants. Here is a small nest that has pushed up between two patio stones since the evening rain. Fire ants are terrible creatures! Be careful where you walk!

 
The hens are doing well, enjoying the cooler temperatures. They were busy in the chicken yard.

 
Weezie is always on a mission, squawking all the while.

 
Dot, a guinea hen, was watching wild birds flit around in the treetops.

 
Brown Manetta (a turken hen), looking lovely, as always...

 
Here is one of the Cuckoo Marans girls, watching me very closely, just in case I have treats in hiding!

 
Just-a-Minute was napping on this bale of hay. Shortly after this photo, he ran off.

 
The baby ducks are GROWING so FAST! Still without names (I know, I know...), these two are fascinated by the grass growing at the base of the chicken coop.

 
I might call this duck Nellie. I'm HOPING it's a girl. I've read that the girls are the most chatty/vocal, and this one is just that. But she's also a little Nervous Nellie... so, Nellie fits.

 
Mmmmm, water!

 
It's hard to believe that the two bigger buff colored ducks are only 4 weeks old! We brought them home on March 20th. The white crested duck and the khaki duck are now 3 weeks old. Growing like weeds! Remember when I brought them home, how LITTLE they were! They are the happiest little creatures!

 
Action shot! Nibble nibble nibble nibble...

 
"We love life on the farm!"

Hope you enjoyed your visit to the farm today!

Comments

[Kerry from PA]

I love seeing the pics of the animals. The goats always make me laugh! They are such a riot.

By the way, the flower in your first picture is called Mallow or Malva. I have seen it labeled as both. There are lots of varieties of Mallow so Malva is probably more correct.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Malva

[Leslie Miller]

Wonderful photos! Love seeing what's going on at the farm. So much room to roam around in. It must be awe inspiring!

[Carol Dee]

Love visiting you on the farm. This will have to do as I'm not able to just pop in for coffee :) Now wouldn't that be fun. I'd bring my camera for a lesson, too! The ducky with the puff looks like he/she has a cotton ball on his/her head , Maybe *Cotton* would be an okay name? Everything but the fire ants and poison ivy are fun. (I an VERY allergic to the ivy, grrr.)
Have a wonderful week, hugs..

[sherryann (aka Sherry)]

Anna, you take such beautiful pictures. I always enjoy it when you share with us life from the farm.

What kind of camera do you use when you take these photos? Your photos turn out so much nicer than mine do.

[AL Wight]

Great pictures as usual Anna. However, I think you need to have an intervention with the poor little duck in the last photo. He, or she, seems to be trying to drown her/himself. Ha Ha.

[Manetta Deggelman]

Anna,
You and Alan need to go for more walks with the camera in hand! Loved the photos! Thanks for sharing.
Hugs, Manetta

[Troy Louise]

And, we love pictures of life on the farm! Thanks for all the smiles you & your critters provide.

[Sian]

Stunning photos, thanks for sharing.

[Tamara W]

Wonderful photos. I'm sure the farm is a lot of work but it looks like fun too!! Thanks for taking us along. :)

[Carla]

ALWAYS such i joy to see shots of the farm and all your critter's!!! I'm jealous!!!! Really jealous!!!
Thanks Anne, thanks Alan!

[lisa ragano]

Thanks Anna, for the wonderful peak into life on your farm. I love living vicariously through your farm adventures:)

Lisa R.

[Beth M]

Thank you for another fabulous visit to the farm. I think you should create children's books using a variety of your photos mixed with your drawings. Too fun!

[Tracy]

Another great bunch of photos. Thanks, Anna! :0)

[Tami M. (tmarie)]

I love your farm update, you always make me want to move to the country and get a few animals! Your photos are just beautiful Anna, you are so talented! Love the picture of Lucy and Darcy in the field of wild flowers!

[Jennifer K.]

Love all the pictures!! :)

[Mary Anne K.]

All of the pictures you take of life on the farm, make me smile until it hurts. I still think that my very favorites are last years pictures of the dogs in the blue bonnets. Amazing work! Thanks, Anna.

[Marti]

I love the photos - they take me out of the desert for a while! The cute duck with the poof on her head reminds me of a hat Queen Elizabeth might wear. Too funny!

[Vicki Sopcak]

Anna,

Thank you so much for sharing. This city girl loves when you share your farm pictures and the captions are too funny!!!

Thanks again

[Debby W.]

I love all your pictures, it makes me want to come visit! Your farm looks beautiful and the animals are all so cute! I love Boxcar Betty, she always brings a smile to my face. And the ducks, OMG they are cute! I love the one with the "puff" on his head! Thanks for sharing!

[bonnie weiss]

Well, that was a totally enjoyable way to start my Monday morning...thanks for sharing your photos.

[Diane Cooper]

What a great pic review!! I would love to be an animal on YOUR farm!
I agree with another poster- it looks like mallow to me, and that may be a relative to hollyhock- I am not sure! And to Kelly- you are trying to spell "toque" for uas Canadians and our hats. although I think she/he looks more like its wearing a shower cap!
Diane

[GLENDA BROOKS]

I love your pictures of the farm! It seems so laid back and easy going and I know it probably is not, but it's nice to think it is a slower pace and you seem to enjoy the life!

Pictures r really really cute ....

[Norma J]

I love that little duck with the topknot.
Great shots of the farm and animals as always. And don't the fields look so pretty
with their splash of colour?

[DK Wight]

Yo, if the duck with the pompador is a drake,Larry would be nice. Then you could look for a Curly and Moe! I caught 18 fish on one fly on friday 73 degrees! the biggest was over 23 inches. Booyah! Love the flowers and the rain, to bad it's not Alfalfa....... Love, Dad

[rose kerry]

Thank you so much for sharing your farm pictures. I absolutely love looking at them. I can't believe how big those ducks have gotten in so short a time. The colors of your chickens are just amazing. Love them all.

[Rebecca Ednie]

I love the critter photos! The flower is a cousin of the holly hock. It is a type of tree mallow, you know, like marsh mallow? Apparently the flavour of marshmallows originally came from the roots of a similar plant. My parents have a tiny garden that is overwhelmed by these every year. They seed themselves (not a perrenial although it might be in Texas) So if you like them, gently cut the stalks after the flowers dry up and shake them to get seeds where you want more!

[Carole]

Thank you for showing and naming the Indian Paint Brush correctly! Most people show it as a different flower - but this is what I know to be an Indian Paint Brush - my favorite wild flower.

Also, if Nellie is a male, you can call him Nels. That was the father's name of the shop keeper on Little House on the Prairie. He was Nels and the daughter was Nellie!

[Shellie Daniel]

Oh, I did I DID enjoy the visit to your farm! It really is beautiful there right now (despite a few nasty critters like fire ants)! Loved the flowers and all the greenery, not to mention your quirky and delightful duckies, chickens, goats, cattle, cat . . . .

[Kathryn Scaletta]

Thank you for all the great photos. Each and every one made me smile and brought back memories of my parents place in Coeur d Alene, ID when they had their ducks, chickens and cows. Loved all the photos of the "children" of the farm.

Kathryn
CDA

[Debbie]

I always love visiting the farm.I am envious of your Texas wildflowers, the flower at the top is a hollyhock. always enjoy the phots :)

[Kelly Schirmer]

PS...I think you should call him "Tuk" (Like tooooo-k)...okay, ask a Canadian, but that's what my Mom used to call a hat. And I am pretty sure that is not how you spell it, but my skills are escaping me at the moment!

[Kelly Schirmer]

SO FUN! I loved every single picture from the nature scenes to all of the critters...love your commentary, tooooo! And the duck with the poofy hat on is killing me...hee! If I didn't know better, I would've thought it was something that you created to keep his head warm (ahem, Tiny Tim and a sweater ringing a bell?????)

[Sue]

Thanks so much for sharing a little bit of your farm. Truly enjoyable. God Bless!

[Katie Rasmussen]

Thanks so much for the update! I'm with Sue I want a week on the farm.

[Kellie]

Absolutely gorgeous pics of the babies and flowers..I just LOVE it when you post these..wow!!!! can't believe the colors of all the chickens/ducks,etc..and your flowers are the best. I do believe you're right Anna..top pic is hollyhock..never seen a stiped one before..its awesome..you should save some of the seeds..hint..hint...
still waiting for rain here in Mich...

[Diane M]

What great photos! I cannot believe how much the ducks have grown. Flowers are all lovely, and it's great to see the critters. Thanks for sharing.

[Sue]

Ahhh...can I come visit you??