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The ice storm arrived, as forecast, yesterday afternoon. By dusk (evening chores), a thick layer of slushy ice pellets lay upon the ground, accompanied by continued falling sleet and rain. This morning, the world around us looked very different…and very cold.
Continue reading “Eye Candy: Ice World”
Wild rabbits had clearly been out and about after dusk last night, leaving their traces around the main chicken coop, around the barn, and through the pastures. Their prints are distinctive and, if you didn’t know what creature had left them, they might leave you puzzled. This time of year, I don’t see them during daylight hours, so it’s good to know they’re still around!
Continue reading “Haiku: Under Cover Of Darkness (Snow Series #3)”
It snowed recently – just an inch or so – but it was the kind of snow that makes even the ordinary (or poorly-lit and muddy) look, briefly, extraordinary. It also tells stories of real drama and intrigue, of unseen passersby looking for a meal on a cold night.
Continue reading “Haiku: Concealed And Revealed (Snow Series #1)”
After a spell of strangely mild weather, it’s taken a turn for the worse. Personally, I intensely dislike temperature swings like this because it’s tough on both farmers and their animals…but it does have some redeeming qualities, like the brilliant hoarfrost.
Continue reading “Eye Candy: Frosty Farm Morning”
It sounds like a thousand squeaky screen doors being opened and closed: metallic, raspy, and loud. The unusual noise accompanies huge flocks of acrobatic birds that darken the sky. These large groups of starlings visit our area periodically, and despite my worries that they’ll empty the bird feeders in five seconds flat, these travelers don’t even seem to notice them.
Continue reading “Haiku: Murmuration’s Mystery”
With the arrival of below-freezing weather, we’ve put the bird feeders out. On one side, a mix of wild bird seed; on the other, a seed-studded suet cake. The birds have enthusiastically visited the feeders (one out front where we can see it from the breakfast nook) and out back, visible from the dining area. With a pair of binoculars, it makes for excellent viewing.
Continue reading “For The Birds: Cold Weather Considerations”