Friday, November 15, 2013

The Early Bird

Rising early gives me a jump start on the day.  Watching sunrise is such a pleasure; some are simply breathtaking.  Stepping out yesterday to catch the colors just before sunup, I realized the vultures were also awake and flying to the topmost branches of the lower side oak.  It will come as no surprise to readers that I have a fascination with these birds (okay, all birds).  Hummingbirds go nearly dormant after dark, their heart rate and breathing slowing to accommodate their high metabolism.  I have learned that vultures let their body temperature drop at night; one reason why I find them warming themselves on the posts in the morning.  The early birds in this photo were only a few among many who were finding the highest spot to wait for the first rays of the sun.

It isn't just diaper wipes that are being raided down in the milking room.  Those wipes are being stolen as fast as they land in the bucket.  Bert and Ernie have invited some cronies to join them for a drink at the milk bar and now there might be six or eight slurping away every day.  Yesterday I caught movement and, lo and behold, a gopher was at the edge of the grain pile thrown down for the mice, shoving food in his face as fast as he could until his cheeks could hold no more.  This was a new face in the lineup, and what's up with that?  I'm used to the ground squirrels and mice, but now a gopher?  The barn birds now help themselves from the feed bucket on the shelf while I'm milking.  Is there no end to the freeloaders?

1 comment:

Kathryn said...

I think your little critters MUST be using social media to spread the word about your generosity. Do you suppose their Facebook pages list the exact location of Farview Farm and the great, cheap breakfast buffet? And if their buddies all have GPS, you are doomed! The picture was stunning, by the way.