The Last Cow Count—Sunday, March 5, 2017

Posted on March 5, 2017 by Dayphoto

There are over half now, of little babies on the ground. At least 50 (fifty) visible calves on Friday, more on Saturday—around 60 on last count.

So many it’s hard to keep tabs on who has been counted and who hasn’t!

Our fields, hills, dales, and farm roads are full of cavorting new little ones.

It is now time for the herd to gather up and move down the hill from us. Farming starts tomorrow! Mr. Davis and his daughters and his wife will all arrive on horses and a horse trailer. The trailer is for the brand new little ones who can’t walk far.

Momma cows are very smart and will know exactly where their baby is. Once everyone arrives at the next pasture the momma cows will immediately find their calf and trot off with it. (One way is the Mom keep mooing and hollering the whole time, so the little one knows her voice and where to find her. The calf also answers, so the Mom is well aware of where her child is.)

Although, they won’t go very far, not even half-a-mile— brand new little ones must have time to develop strength in their legs to walk for great distances.

Calf season is quickly drawing to a close. What joy they bring me to brighten the long days of late winter.

Your friend on a western Colorado farm,

Linda

After the Storm March Arrived—-Thursday, March 2, 2017

Posted on March 2, 2017 by Dayphoto

Yesterday March arrived. The sky cleared and filled with hollow clouds following quickly behind skudding black snow and rain clouds.

The morning sun (yesterday and today) shot the sky with colors worthy of a carnival…the air chilled but intoxicating.

We warmed up to great 45* (7.22222 celsius). The air still enough a candle’s flame would have burned high and steady.

We counted 35 visible calves, plus two cows in the process of having their calf. How many calves were hidden—we will not know until the Mom brings them out of hiding.

Last night the sickle moon glimmered in the star studded sky. The air holding the scent of past snow and ice, and the promise of green and growing things.

Spring (for me) has arrived!

From my world to your heart,

Linda

And Then the Snow and Wind Came—Wednesday, March 1, 2017

Posted on March 1, 2017 by Dayphoto

We woke to wind. Howling wind and then the snow started

And it was cold and miserable.

Sigh!

Lots of naps were taken

Lazing around on the sofa

Until some of us became extremely bored and had to do SOMETHING!
So Boomer, Mom and Mindy had to go for a walk. It was just too hard hanging inside all day long.

By the afternoon the sun came out and the snow flew away to regions just north of us.

Today is warmer, calmer and drier.

Which is a very good thing. We still have lots of wood to cut, haul and stack!

Your friend on a western Colorado farm,

Linda

While Cutting Wood—-Tuesday, February 28, 2017

Posted on February 28, 2017 by Dayphoto

We are still cutting and loading and hauling wood…several more loads to got.

But yesterday in the middle of a wind storm (rain and snow coming in) the SandHill Cranes started gathering over us. They were so loud we could hear them OVER the noise of the chain saw!

Please excuse the wind….I just HAD to take this short video for you.

They were gathering right over us into one HUGE group of birds! What an amazing site! And true gift from nature!

Your friend on a western Colorado farm,

Linda

Calf Update—-Monday, February 27, 2017

Posted on February 27, 2017 by Dayphoto

We took our daily run through the cows (a tad chilly, it is out there)

We saw 25 visible calves

Which means there are quarter of the calves born

And probably more

Because Mom’s hide out their little ones. And if the cow is having her baby she often time will hide herself.

So for right now…there are 25 visible calves on the ground!

Your friend on a western Colorado farm,

Linda

Soon Only a Vivid Memory—-Sunday, February 26, 2017

Posted on February 26, 2017 by Dayphoto

The Sand Hill Cranes are on the move. Flocks of them arrive on our farm (in the evening) then lift wings and fly away come morning.

They are a joy to me.

Although, I miss the Canada Geese these amazing birds have filled the gap of the Geese’s once home. I understand that the Canada Geese have moved further north and are thick around the Montrose, Colorado area. I wouldn’t know for I haven’t been to Montrose in a very long time.

I do know that Confluence Lake, at Confluence Park, and the Gunnison River running through Delta, Colorado is

(An old photo of winter past!)

home to a very many Canada Geese.

(A past photo, used for all our enjoyment)

Which is all good.

The cranes come, often times on a cold high desert wind thrumming across our mesa from the Uncompahgre Plateau, and settle down with much chatter and conversation.

During Boomer’s and my nightly walk I slow our walk, so we are careful, careful to not disturb the Cranes of the cows. Boomer walks right by my side…very cautious of Mother cows on the look for predators.

If one is very silent, and even still, a person can hear the rustle, rustle of feathers, a shake or two of a big bird getting comfortable.

Then softly, silently home again. I load the firebox; give Boomie a pat and belly rub.

Pet each sleeping cat, then crawl back into a nice warm bed.

All is right with the world.

From my heart to your world.

A Gift — February 23, 2017

Posted on February 23, 2017 by Dayphoto

One of our son-in-laws (the logger) brought in a load of logs he wondered if we would like to have for our woodpile.

So Terry and he worked out a pretty cool financial deal for both of us—money for him and wood for next year’s winter’s use for us.

So waking up early…it’s earlier now, because I wake-up by the lightness of the sky, we ate breakfast, bundled up (there is a nasty chill wind blowing here) and headed out to cut and load wood.

That’s why I’m late getting to my blog…we cut and loaded and unloaded two loads of wood before we got back to our regularly schedule life. 🙂

We had many, many loads to go. Terry wants to get it all cut and hauled by before he starts farm work in 10 days. Lots more loads to go.

BUT!!!
Come August we should NOT have to be cutting and hauling firewood!

Your friend on a western Colorado farm,

Linda

Two More Weeks—Wednesday, February 22, 2017

Posted on February 22, 2017 by Dayphoto

Two more weeks the cows will be here.

(They love the grass at the Upper End)

And hanging out on Sage Brush Hill (where the pack of wild dogs were living, but are gone now.)
Then it will be time to start the tractor work. Until that time I hope you don’t get tired of my photos of darling little calves and Momma’s.

Our place is the nursery for the first year momma’s, the second time momma’s, and sometimes a third year Momma. After that I’m not sure which field they go too. We can see some of his cows from our farm, but how he sorts them I don’t know.

The weather people say a cold front is heading into our area tonight with possibility of snow again. I guess we will see.

Yesterday was just beautiful!

Your friend on a western Colorado farm,

Linda

Cow and Calf Run—-Tuesday, February 20, 2017

Posted on February 21, 2017 by Dayphoto

We are seeing more and more of those darling little calves

There are 100 cows

So by the time farming starts

(First black baby)
There should be 100 calves.

That’s provided there are no problems along the way

So far there are no twins, or situations, where the calf becomes a bottle baby

It seems like everyone is a good mother…which is a very good thing. That means they are attentive to their calf; make sure the calf is fed and close by.

And, if it must be, there is always one or two cows who adore the calves. We call these cows the babysitter cows—you see, if you just must run to the water hole, or go hang out with the girls at the Upper End, you can always leave your calf with …. the babysitter. She adores all calves and takes very good care of yours and hers.

Your friend on a western Colorado farm,

Linda

It’s That Time of Year—Monday, February 20, 2017

Posted on February 20, 2017 by Dayphoto

It seems like the migration of the Sandhill Cranes and the Canada Geese has begun. The fields are always in rotation; the skies full of huge flying wedges of big birds. The bird book (for our region) says the Sand Hill Cranes and the Canada Geese start migration the last week of February and goes through the first week or so of April.