My journey through life on South Dakota Ranch
My hens have been sitting on eggs. And like the good Chicken Farmer that I am, I had no idea how long they’ve been brooding. I just know they have. Two days ago, I went to feed and water them and found this little guy:
Here “it” is with the proud mama!
I have another hen that is sitting on 4 eggs and if she has any luck they’ll be more cuteness running around!
Happy Trails!
Actually, it’s not so much lazy today, as it was the other day. Thursday I think, we found our big billy goat, Goatie Goat, kickin’ it on top of a round bale. He’s just hilarious, this goat. He sees himself as a big horn sheep, we’re certain about that.
He looked pretty comfortable.
And then yesterday it was cold and raining, so I went to catch my boys, and get them in the barn so I could ride them in there. I managed to catch them looking pretty wet, and cute and otherwise endearing. Don’t they just look like brothers? Gump is on the left, and Dino on the right.
We have a high school rodeo and high school graduation planned for this weekend. What do you have planned for the weekend?
Happy Weekend, and Happy Trails!
Despite the fact that we awoke to 9 degrees this morning, yesterday afternoon was cause for celebration. You see, one of our two nanny goats, that we keep around for no reason other than entertainment and weed control, had her kids. There is nothing, NOTHING, I tell you as cute as baby goats. They are by far one of the cutest babies on God’s planet. And without exception, animals always cease to amaze me.
I got a text from Bud, that there was one baby goat, then another that said make that two, so I immediately dropped what I was doing, grabbed my camera (of course) and headed to the corrals to find them. One hundred and forty-seven photos later (freak much?) I had chronicled the first few moments of their life and managed to catch a coming yearling heifer honing her mother skills as well. You see, #192 was just certain she needed to help mother these babies, by drying them off. Her tongue of course is just nearly as big as they are, and since they were so wobbly, she would push them around and knock them down, all the while licking and loving on them. She had the best intentions and it was so sweet to witness it.
The easiest way for you to see the photos, all 57 that I chose to show y’all, was in a slideshow. So as usual, click on the first one and scroll through to see the story unfold. I love ranch life, babies, spring and all that goes along with it. I am so fortunate to get to do what I do and live where I live.
As an aside, there should be another set of goat kids still to come this spring. I just hope that nanny waits until I get back from Texas. And one of my 3 mares should foal any moment. And her, I hope she does it before I leave!
Have you ever witnessed the miracle of birth (and I’m not talking human here – though that is a miracle)? And if so, what was your feeling in witnessing that miracle?
Happy Weekend and Happy Trails!
Blue skies, sunshine and warm temps (for you Texas folks, that means it was about 35 here- and maybe 42 in the sun), called me out into the great outdoors for some photography on Sunday. I could not have asked for a better day. In fact, I have been kind of half-way waiting to take pictures of the snow covered ground (Devon!) until the lighting was good and it wasn’t a mass of gray outside- which it has been for what seems like forever.
With nary a breeze it made for a nice walk down the hill to Granny’s house, where I knew a piece of apple pie awaited me. It’s still the Holidays for us through the 9th this year, so don’t judge me for eating pie at breakfast!
Here’s some of the shots I took on the way down.
Sparkly
Looking across the dam at the saddle horses who seem to be just kickin’ it.
The dam- you can see the dried up reeds.
And as I got closer to Granny’s house, I was greeted by our misfit crew of barking dogs, that weren’t sure exactly what someone was doing walking around outside.
From left to right: Higgins, Crystal and MJ.
Jake, Higgins, Crystal and MJ.
MJ is so cute!
Here’s what I found as I walked around down by the corrals and the hay stacks:
Windbreak fence:
More snowy sparkles:
A chisel:
Jake being a handsome dog:
Hay bales:
Windbreak fence casting a shadow:
WDX Nukem, one of the studs:
Nuke loves attention, so as soon as he sees someone he usually makes a point to come see you so you can rub on him!
I hope you enjoyed the tour around the corrals, through the snow! I certainly enjoyed the weather! And there’s more photos of my ride to come! So stay tuned!
As we have established previously, testosterone makes boys, men and bulls think they’re invincible,er, stupid. But how does it affect our billy goat?
Well, he just has plans for world domination. You can see it in his eyes, his thoughts, his long beard. He’s scheming, I tell you. Certain he can intimidate the human folk with his ability to stand on his back legs and point his ram-like horns at them, he is pretty sure this ranch is his domain and if he could only figure out how to get through the fences he’d own the state of South Dakota, and then…THE WORLD! (Insert evil billy-goat laugh here).
Yup, he’s a tough one, that’s for sure. Seeing as how he almost melts when you scratch his horns! Goatie- Goat, you’re hours of entertainment, for sure.
Happy Tuesday!
Xo
What’re you doin’?
Scratch, Scratch, Scratch…
Is it good, Jake?
Earth to Jake! Jake! Come in, Jake!
Is that the spot?
It must have been good, eh Jake?
Hey Buddy! Glad you got your back scratched!
Who’s the baddest billy goat of all?
If you were to ask Goatie-Goat, he’d say it was him, of course.
He’s certainly trying to show this two year old who’s in charge around these parts.
And she’s not sure she’s going to have it. Any of it!
Maybe letting her think like she can push him around is part of some diabolical plan that Goatie-Goat has?
After all, this heifer has no ears. She lost them one winter to frostbite. He could be trying to help her self esteem. You know, Mother Nature, she’s not exactly kind.
Maybe it’s time to get down to business!
Enough of the peon pushing ME around! Or, maybe not.
It’s a showdown of epic proportion!
Maybe if I push on her leg I can move her!
Goat kids that is. I know y’all have waited a really, really, really long time to see these adorable babies. I managed to catch them a few days ago when they were in the corral, hanging out with our feeder steers. In case any of you are wondering, the feeder steers are those that we feed up to eat. And it’s the best. Beef. Ever.
Ok. I might be hungry- seeing as how I haven’t had breakfast yet this morning. So pardon me becoming sidetracked.
There’s a boy and a girl- the boy looks like his daddy, who is affectionately referred to as “Goatie- Goat”; though I like to refer to him as the cream-puff-colored billy goat.
His sister looks just like the Nanny- who has no name. I know, we’re original around here.
They’re all about jumping on and off stuff.
This is the closest the nanny has let me get to her since she had these kids. She’s all about traveling and hiding out and keeping them away from us. Darn her.
Adorable!
Peek-a-boo!
I am pretty sure that the nanny must’ve told Goatie-Goat that it was his turn with the kids for a while, because she walked off and left them!
I don’t give my dog(s) enough love on this blog. As I typed that, the cowboy says, “Whatever!”
I do love my little, now-one-eyed, Papillon named Higgins.
And I’m pretty sure, that furry little bugger loves me too!
Let’s don’t talk about how many times I had to back up to get these shots. He just wouldn’t stay put. He was certain I should rub him.
You’re so cute and furry. It’s one of the reasons I love you!
You’re also a dirty,cockleburr-infested, little ranch dog who happens to have the cutest feet!
Yes. The cutest, furriest feet!
