A Small Storm—Monday, March 7, 2016

SR

(Sunrise this morning…sun through the heavy clouds in the east)

A spring storm moved into our area yesterday bringing with it snow in the higher country, splattering of rain around us and on us.

Last night we had a huge wind, thunder storms and lightening.

A spring storm.

Today it’s still cloudy and cold, but the long months of desolation are coming to an end.  Our air is full of bird song

Listen-to-the-blackbirds-singThere are Red-Winged Blackbirds in the cattails and in our apple trees!Apple-Tree

Along the fence linesWestern-Meadow-LarkThere are Western Meadow Larks adding the joy in the air.

Robin-7The delightful chirp of the Robin joins into the cacophony.

Geese-3

All replacing the  lonely calling of the Canada Geese and the trill sound of the

Cranes-2Sandhill Cranes. We can hear their calling their way in flight forming Vs of  courage toward the promise of a distant breeding grounds.

CrowsThe Crows and Raven’s on swirling wings bear them up and away to other parts unknown to me. Leaving our trees available for the song birds.

Friend-Hawk-2

In winter, we see the raptors;

Owl-in-tree

It is in winter the feathered world is reduced to the brutal hunt and eat.  Dark shadows pass overhead, dip down as the big birds hunt for mice along the ditch banks and fence rows. Sometimes a Ring-Necked Dover or a smaller little brown bird provides food for the owl and the hawk.

Storm

(Sunset last night…rain on the plateau with sun bursting through the clouds)

As late winter storms come and leave, the song birds return — even though the air is still cold, but not the bitter cold of winter; the sweet fresh cold of thawing earth, the brightness of sprigs of green and the hope of tiny swelling buds on the trees.

I can handle these storms…for it won’t be long now…not at all until the whole world I live in bursts forth into a riot of color!

From my world to your heart,

Linda

 

Common Things—Sunday, March 6, 2016

I saw my first Robin yesterday.  It was early morning, then in the afternoon I saw another one. Two Robins.  One at our place and one down at our other place. Spring is here!

Many of the other birds have  started coming back, some I just don’t know the name of, but recognize them as Spring birds.  The last to arrive will be the Swallows.  Once the Swallows appear it will be full on Spring, without a hint of winter.

Stopping-By

Every morning we wake up to a smattering of Canada Geese…stopping by of an evening to rest and feed upon the corn fields.

Sand-Hill-Cranes-1The Sandhill Cranes leave the upper cornfields late morning heading North.  For some reason the two bird species do not share the same area of the farm.  Also the geese leave early, early in the morning and the cranes about an hour after sunrise.

I love to stand and watch them.  Boomer has learned to sit quietly by my side so I can take photos, his ears cocked, watching with interest. Still enough I can hear the beating of my heart.

Baby

After the birds fly away Boomer and walk back home.  Through the cows and the calves.

Sometimes it’s just these still moments that blaze themselves upon our hearts and brain, allowing us to recall them in complete detail for the rest of our lives.  Small little moments of peace and contentment.

From my world to your heart,

Linda

 

 

 

The First Day of March–Sunday, March 1, 2015

sun.jpgWe’ve finally made it to the first day of March.  That, in and of itself, is a true joy for me.

This has been the sun for two weeks or more.  Sometimes the clouds part; showing little patches of blue.  Blue sky, it sparks such hope.

Geese-2We have a pair of Canada Geese living with the cows in the corn field.  I love having them here.  I mentally send them peace and safety…they must have decided to stay for a spell before heading up north.

I have also seen flocks of Western Meadowlarks (YAY, they are Back!) And huge flocks of blackbirds, some smaller flocks of red-winged black birds, but I have not seen any blue birds yet.  Soon I hope.

Number-8My favorite cow is here again this year.  She is dressed to the nines in stylish back and white…see her white tail.  🙂  It always makes me smile when I see her.  She is getting older, so I wonder if she will be back next year.  Only time will tell.

March 1st….what a nice date to see on the calendar…in 31 days we will be at April.  WHOO HOOO!

Your friend,

Linda

X Marks the Spot—Wednesday, December 10, 2014

X-marks-the-spot-1Looking out my kitchen window this morning I saw the crossed trails as two jets winged their way to places I can only imagine.

FLooking further down the sky I saw the mirids or Canada Geese flying in to spend the day with us.  Quickly grabbing my camera and coat I slipped out the back door….carefully, carefully so that little Boomer dog would stay inside by the fireplace.  (I didn’t want a delighted baying to set in and scare away the birds! 🙂 )

GeeseThe mist was heavy on the corn fields surround the house so the shots aren’t as clear as I wanted, but you can still see the bounty of Canadian Geese we are enjoying.

Arrived-1Carefully I crept along the fence line…careful, careful…one, just one odd sound and they will rise in a great mass honking in alarm.

The sky and the earth was over-flowing with the joyful sounds of the geese!

Not-leavesAs the day brightened, and the mist lifted, even more Canadian Geese arrive…so many it looks like leaves off that wild plum trees.

They stayed for two days then moved on up to another field about 1/2 mile from us…but lucky for me…I was home when they chose to grace the next door field.

Somethings just must be shared…the bounty of beautiful geese is one of those things!

Your friend,

Linda

 

 

 

 

 

The Sounds in the Sky—Sunday, November 30, 2014

CranesEven as I write this the sky is loud with the sounds of the Sandhill Cranes (above) on the east of us and the Canadian Geese on the west of us!   Both species group together in great numbers, filling the air with distinctive cries...the Sandhill Cranes have a rolling sound

the Canada Geese sound close to their calls but more honking in tone.

The Sandhill Cranes are staying in the field just above ours, but across the canal…there are hordes of them. I wish I could have gotten a good photo, but it just wasn’t possible.  When I’m outside and both species are flying the sky is full of sounds.

The Canada Geese seem to be on the Buttermilk Creek…spending the night (it really isn’t safe down there—coyotes and big cats and other types of predators also live around the Buttermilk.  But so do Mr. Davis’ cows and calves. The geese flock close to the cows, then in the morning rise up and head toward Delta and Confluence lake and the two rivers that converge there—The Gunnison and the Uncompaghre.

I’m sure thankful for the birds; makes the dreary days a little bit brighter.  We also have fun little hordes of brown birds, of which the Junco seems to be a part …then the big hunting birds…Owls and hawks, ravens and crows.  The birds of winter—there are more, but for today I share with you the Geese and the Cranes.

Your friend on a Western Colorado Farm,

Linda

 

 

 

Where to Find Canada Geese—Tuesday, November 25, 2014

SandhillI find it interesting the Sandhill Cranes are taking over the farms and the Canada Geese

Geese-1Are hanging out down in town by Confluence Park/Lake and the rivers.

Terry and I ran to town to see how long the line was at the Elevator (to unload the corn) and we ran into to masses of Geese

Geese3

 

Masses!  🙂  It made me smile!

Geese2

Look at all that fertilizer on the road….can you just imagine what the grass and banks of the river looks like?

7We liked having them in the fields just for that reason.  But now the Sandhill Cranes have come (I’m not complaining); and the Canada Geese have left—it is extremely rare to see the two species in a field together.  If you are lucky enough to have those beautiful birds on your field I’m sure the fertilizer is just as much and just as big—if you want to know. 🙂

Thank Heaven for winter birds…they are a bright spot in rather dull days!

Linda

 

 

 

The View from Upstairs — March 26, 2014

Yesterday was such a busy day I had a hard time getting everything done.  I was upstairs finishing up some things on the computer, working feverishly to bring completion to some projects that have been in limbo for some time.

Light-eGradually the day started to end, the sun sinking behind the rim of the Uncompahgre (un-come-pah-gray — accent on the pah) Plateau lighting up the canyons that border Highway 50 –Escalante, Dominguez, and others.  Thinking I had better get up and turn on a light I raised my eyes from the computer to see a stunning play of shadows and sun rays spilling across the yard and into the fields.

More-light-pI grabbed my camera and headed toward the alcove window, allowing the sinking sun to send healing light to my eyes and my head.

SamyAs I sat there watching I saw Sammy-Sam hunting along the canal bank…what a good hunter he is.  In January he turn 13 years old and still does his kitty duty.  Last fall Sammy ate something that made him very, very ill.  He must have eaten something that either was poisoned or very sick itself.  Since that time Sammy has been a little on the fragile side.

GAs I watched two late straggler Canada Geese settled down on the old corn field to spend the night.  They settled into a soft little spot in the dip in the ground fluffing up their feathers for a night of rest.

VisitorThe earth, the sky and the things that live all around us are amazing, really.  It is up to us to stop…look…listen…to be aware.  If we do these things then we become one with all, desiring to be good stewards of these wondrous gifts.

Your friend,

Linda

A Taste of Spring February 17, 2014

Yesterday was a most unusual day —  the morning dawned it’s typical grey and cold self.  A tiny ray of pink sunlight as the mighty sun rose over the Paonia Mountains then quickly disappeared behind thick heavy clouds.  Although, the temperature said we weren’t freezing, just above, the air was very chilled.

Still Terry and I took the dogs and the four-wheelers out to check on the fences and see how many little calves have made their arrival.  (So far there are four-no photos as of yet).

The ground was a tick bog of nasty, soft mud so we didn’t go out on-to the land, staying on the farm and ditch roads.  Tracks across farming ground right now would make huge (AND I MEAN HUGE) ruts – plus pack the ground in the middle of the ruts.

Closer to lunch a soft gentle breeze sprung-up fresh from the snowbanks on the Uncompahgre (Un-come-pah-gray, accent on the “pah”), the breeze intensified as the hour wore on moving into kite flying strength, after that a true fast moving wind…someone told Terry that he heard it was moving at 28 m.p.h.  I have no way of knowing; yet it did clear our skies of all the heavy, low-laying clouds!

By four o’clock in the afternoon we had glorious blue skies completely free of any clouds! Who could stay in the house with that to look upon?

Out we went, the dogs, Terry, and I to relish this delightful site.

It felt like SPRING!  Just a hint of spring, but enough to know that the switch has occurred! Somewhere, at some poin,t the earth creaked and groaned and inched itself up and over just a tad to take off the edge of winter.

Forming

While we were about we saw hundreds and hundreds of Canada Geese, way, way up in the sky gathering and gathering and gathering….no v formed for some time.  It was like the call had gone out…”IT IS TIME! Gather your self, your family, and all your belonging and head to the north! Warmth is coming back to the land!  Come, Come–let us all go home!”

(I couldn’t get a photo of all of them, there were just too many)

Done

We watched as they flew up from the earth then gathered together, honking and talking about who is to lead, then breaking into several V shapes–always going higher and higher until we couldn’t hear them anymore.

Gone

Then they became tiny dots winging their way home—home to the north—home!

Cranes-4

I’m sure we still have some left here and the Sandhill Cranes waiting for another signal, but for now…those that left flung themselves up into the sky with joy knowing that along the way they will stop and rest once more waiting for the signal that spring is getting even closer at their breeding grounds way up North from us!

Then we noticed that just today the willows were showing sap running back into their grey limbs and the red-twig bushes were showing even more life, moving along we saw they green of the winter wheat and how the cattle were favoring those fields the most.

Yes, Spring is coming!  For Sure! The land and the animals and the birds have announced the return of warmth and lessening of cold!

Your very happy friend,

Linda

 

Skunks and Winter Birds January 21, 2014

Well, the skunks are awake.  We’ve been warm enough that the skunks have come out of their semi-hibernation.  One o’clock in the wee morning, really nighttime, our farm was inundated with skunk perfume.

Gag!

Terry thought the dogs must have stirred one up; not our dogs as they were sleeping inside.

I got worried about the poultry so the dogs and I headed out to see if everyone was fast asleep and safe!  They were.  I have Night Guard lights on the house, but one never knows what a hungry critter will risk.

The poultry house is extremely safe, locked door, cement floors, wooden walls — still I like to make sure those things that are in our keeping are secure.

They were.

The smell was horrid…lasted until morning when the air shifted as the day warmed up.

Line

That evening, when I was gathering firewood for the night, a string of birds (I couldn’t tell if they were Canada Geese or the Sandhill Cranes) lifted up from a field about a mile from us….very swiftly they flew closer and closer to our farm, forming their v, on their way to some other corn field for the night.

Gone

These birds sure do make winter bearable.  I love watching them as the stream across the frozen heavens, calling loudly to one another—gather up, gather up, we are heading over there, come fly with us….come fly.

Forming

The sounds fade as they get further away.  I then load my wood and head back to the house.  The winter shades of pink, lavender and shadowy blue fading into dusk.

Done

Your farm friend,

Linda

 

Wednesday, December 18, 2013

I love the moon!  I love when the moon is full — spreading sliver and crystal and blue lights upon the land.

Rising-2

The dogs and I go for a walk, just to be showered in the lovely glow

Rising-1

 

 

We go just as it’s just coming up and we go again just before nine at night

December-moonI always try to wake-up sometime during the night, just to take the dogs and go walking down the lane…oh, sometime around one or so in the morning.  The dogs know the second I start putting on my Carhart we are going for a walk.

I don’t walk out into the fields late at night…too many coyotes and other critters I don’t want to meet, but in the evening we do.

PaoniaIn the evening we are surrounded in the glow of the winter sunset

Raggeds1With the air full of winter bird calls…the Canadian Geese and the Sandhill Cranes…later after mid-night the owls will hoo-hoo -hoo , we will hear a fox barking and the coyotes yipping as the moon light and the star light fills the shinning clear air.

We will walk along, the dogs sniffing out news and I watching stars fall from a million years ago.

The neighbor’s dog (who lives outside, no matter the temperatures) will hear us crunching along in the snow, or hear me calling to Boomer to not go off too far…he adds his warning bark to the other sounds.  His people, either don’t care nor never hear, I call to him…’It’s okay…it’s just us walking in the moonlight.  It’s okay…’  He stops.  Then calls out again…”GOOD NIGHT” I call back…’Sleep Well, little dog!  Sleep Well.”  Then the dogs and I go in to the warmth of the wood stove and snugly blankets.

December-moon

By five in the morning the moon has made it’s way to shine into the bedroom windows, lighting up Sammy the cat as he sleeps on the edge of the bed. Sam puts a paw over his eyes and keeps on sleeping.  Monkey jumps into the window to watch the world from the warmth and safety of the house.  I too watch the world as the moon slowly sinks and the day begins.

Good Morning everyone!

Your friend,

Linda