Well, it's officially spring now, although this year it feels like the calendar is lagging considerably behind the weather. In general, I think the seasons should have been centered around the equinoxes and solstices, rather than changing on those dates, but that's just one of my random musings without anything specific to do with this year. Our spring started warm and dry, without the lingering grey rain we have come to expect. Even the mountains have been missing the snow and rain this year. Although it's lovely to spend time outside and breathe in the warm, new green around us, it's also a bit unnerving that it's this warm and this green already. But the air smells sweet with blooms, we can see the tiny tree fruits that will ripen through summer, and it's hard not to smile when the breeze touches your skin.
Craig and the chickens patrolling the field:
We have come to know this very sociable grouse who lives is our woods and we were happy to see it return again this year. It will land on the ATV that Craig drives down for trail maintenance, fly along if he's on his bike, and sometimes hike with us on foot for quite a distance:
Morning mist:
Getting fluffy:
New growth looking very healthy on this bamboo stand:
A sure sign that it's spring: chickens doing dust baths. They love this west facing wall of our house and we often find them sprawled out enjoying the afternoon sun as we go out the door:
An alpaca and dog moment:
Tux is starting to show signs of age, although he's still quite spry:
Lucky! We have quite a few clover patches that make many 4 (and sometimes even more) leaf clovers:
The lilacs are in bloom and hummingbirds are starting to arrive:
Running in the early greens of the field, before they have eaten it all:
These will be delicious cherries in a few months:
Hello ladybug!
The chickens are very busy lately, including one very ambitious hen (noting the size of the light colored egg toward the bottom center of the photo):
Processing eggs for our customers:
Chickens under foot in the morning:
These tiny bunches of flowers smell so sweet:
Chirrup!
We found another really big, busy hill of Western Thatcher (I think) ants. Craig says they taste pretty good, but I can't vouch for that:
