"It is well to remember that the entire population of the universe, with one trifling exception, is composed of others." A.Holmes

Sunday, February 14, 2016

February Spring


Here are my two Sebastopol geese Ella and Fella splashing in our pond along with the ducks. I took this video last year . Ella and Fella spend part of every day in the pond but lately have taken to hiding themselves in unlikely places. I have found them in the wood shed, the kiwi arbor, the hay shed,  behind the veggie garden hiding in the long wild grasses on the other side of the fence, and behind a tall shrub in the front yard flower bed. I had a suspicion that proved true...
 ...they're ready to lay and hatch a clutch of eggs. My husband found the first goose egg of the season today. Look at the size of it compared to 3 large chicken eggs I just gathered. I am going to try to incubate the eggs in a small incubator I own. The last 2 years Ella and Fella were diligent parents and tended their eggs faithfully. For some reason all the eggs developed fully but the goslings were unable to hatch and survive. ( Even with help.) This year I am hoping to accomplish what Ella and Fella were unable to do and return successfully hatched goslings to the nest for them to raise. We'll see.
The weather has been warm for this time of the year and the sound of the frogs at night is almost deafening. Our honeybees have been out and about and it is a good thing my husband supplements them with sugar boards he places in their hives because there are not enough flowers or trees blooming to sustain our hives at this time.

My Jacob sheep were sheared last month and I can see 9 of my ewes seem about ready to pop with lambs. Their udders are full and lambs should begin arriving any time from now until the end of March. The ewes ( female sheep) seem almost comatose in the sunshine as they lean against fence posts or soak in the heat of the compost pile. It looks so funny to see sheep literally stretched out all over the pile. Later on after the lambs are born they'll have fun leaping over the pile. Who knew a manure pile could provide more than garden enrichment ? SHEEP ! ( 11 year old and very pregnant Sassafras shown in the picture )

I know the calendar says it is still winter but our animals , bees, and wildlife say it is spring.

12 comments:

Stella Jones said...

The same here Kathy. We have blossom on some of the trees, bluebirds are in and out of the nest box and the dawn chorus has started too.
Your video is delightful, just wonderful. Thank you.
What a whopping that goose egg is. I hope it hatches well.
Are you taking all your animals with you when you move?

Deb said...

I can't wait to see the babies. :)

Debbie - Mountain Mama said...

Well this post is making me quite envious! It's -20F at my house right now and spring seems an eternity away! The sound of the frogs (peepers) at night is one of my all time favorite sounds....it just makes me want to sleep outdoors and take it all in! Enjoy your warm temps and good luck hatching the eggs!

Pondside said...

We've had some lovely and warm spring weather up here as well, but the rain is unrelenting. Somehow a warm day just seems cold when it rains! Will you take your sheep with you when you move?

Thistle Cove Farm said...

ay 7 am it was 1 degree above zero, snow and ice with more on the way...brrrr. I'm afraid is a long ways off. Pregnant sheep...remember those days well and miss them although not enough to return.

Anonymous said...

It seems many plants are thinking it's spring already, too. Sounds like an expectant time at your place. Hope the egg incubating works...

Rian said...

Kathy, love the video of your geese! They look so content and happy on the pond. I really hope the eggs do well and hatch. Went back and surfed through some of your other posts, and love seeing all the animals. I love chickens... and little lambs, etc. I will be back!

joanne said...

sounds like lots of new life is about to spring out your way. It sure has been warm, not good for our summer outlook. Will you be taking all the critters with you when you move??

Theresa said...

Sweet little ones:) Love that Spring is close enough to feel it coming! Have a blessed day dear friend, HUGS!

Nib's End said...

Is that a red egg? Or does it just look red because of the red in the Jacob sheep woolen handwoven mat it is lying on? What kind of chicken lays a red egg?

You gave me a dozen of the green eggs over a dozen years ago. I blew them out, washed them carefully and have used them in my spring decorating for many years. Some of them have faded or cracked, but I still have a few left.

Connie said...

Sweet photos and post, Kathy. It must be so relaxing to sit and watch the geese and ducks splash and swim about on your pond. The animals there keep you very busy!

Deborah Montgomery said...

Oh, best wishes for Ella and Fella!! I do hope this one works out.