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The cold and snow are upon us, making the very act of living more challenging for wild creatures. I suspect that the canid tracks above may be from a coyote, as they appear a bit larger than I would expect from a fox (though we have both here). Other tracks, mesmerizing in their own way, were left by other animals and invite imagining their destinations and their difficulties during this time of year.
Continue reading “Haiku: Clandestine Crossing”This probably needs very little explanation, so I’ll keep it brief: it’s very cold here right now (snowing as I write this) and the puddle near the goose coop is frozen. As the video shows, the geese can’t help but venture into (onto) the puddle, which has become a skating rink. While the gander in this scene may have sacrificed his dignity, note that his attitude remains intact. 😂
Someone came by last night – the tracks indicated that it was a feline. Was it a neighbor’s cat, returning to a home…or a stray cat, just hoping to find food and some shelter from brutal cold? I hope it was the former, but fear that it was the latter. I hope it wasn’t the tuxedo cat with the limp. Sadly, not all cats have a safe, good life. I wish they did. I’ll think of the visitor as I feed my cats, warm and well-fed, tonight: may you find a safe haven.
As forecasted (good on you, meteorologists), snow has arrived. It began snowing early this morning while I was out doing the farm chores and continues even as I write this post. Now it actually looks like winter…and – better yet – it sounds like winter.
Continue reading “Haiku: The Sound Of Snow”
Today is one of those wet, dreary days that invites thoughts – albeit briefly – of simply getting back into bed and pulling the covers over your head. Of course, when you farm (or if you have kids, pets, or other obligations, as most of us do), that’s merely a briefly-entertained fantasy that you quickly pop like a soap bubble. Mud or no, chores must be done, animals must be fed, and other tasks must be addressed. And while finding beauty on a day like this may seem difficult, it’s really not: it’s there, just waiting to be found.
Continue reading “Around The Farm: Gaily Green ‘Gainst Gray”
