Self-taught farmers confidently raising chickens, ducks, geese, and pigs. Our focus is on practices that are environmentally harmonious and respectful to our livestock. We appreciate the beauty around us, clean eating, fermenting, and responsibly utilizing the bounty of the land. If you like thinking for yourself, continuous learning, and connecting with the homesteader lifestyle, check us out.
Mornings have been chilly – down in the 60s – and I was very surprised to find a bright green caterpillar on the rim of a tub outside. Having recently researched caterpillars for another post, I knew this was a special caterpillar, and I wondered why it was motionless, out in the open, covered in dew. Was it even alive?
Continue reading “Growing Things: Raising An Eastern Tiger Swallowtail Butterfly”
With Autumn upon us, flowers like Queen Anne’s Lace have mostly bloomed and gone to seed around here. While the goldenrod is still going strong, another “weed” is alive with insects seeking nectar. It’s so popular, in fact, that the bushes buzz with the sound of the industrious creatures.
Continue reading “Around The Farm: Busy Bees And Working Wasps”
I must confess that I’ve taken the grasshoppers and crickets here for granted. Pastures teeming with the insects seem to imply that their populations are healthy…but, on a larger scale, they’re not. One day – soon, even – they may disappear.
Continue reading “Haiku: Ghost Grasshopper”
Early morning here often means heavy dew on the grass – humidity often approaches 100%. As I walked to a hoop tractor during morning feeding, I noticed the unmistakable double set of wings of a dragonfly…and a real beauty. She was clinging to a blade of grass, completely still, as if dormant (understandable in an ectotherm). At last, a chance to capture her image!
Continue reading “Haiku: Ornamental Odonate”
It’s orb weaver time of year. Throughout the pastures, the industrious creatures have been at work, draping their webs between stalks of grass. Wet with morning dew, they’re stunning to behold. I try my best to avoid damaging those webs as I move through, but, sometimes, a spider will decide to make a web in a place where it can’t be – like atop the wire “cage” that secures the ramp from the chicken coop – and I have to ruin the spider’s masterpiece.
Continue reading “Haiku: Obstinate Orb Weaver”
Insect life is fascinating. Our property teems with flying, jumping, running, inching, and digging insects and bugs. Recently, a few stealthy specimens revealed themselves – just long enough for me to get a quick pic before they made themselves scarce (as they do).
Continue reading “Around The Farm: Cool Camouflaged Critters”