Category Archives: Family
Goose! Goose!
I was raised with geese as a child, my mom always had them and a few ducks. I liked the ducks way more than the geese, they didn’t beat me up. Even as an adult I like to photograph Canadian Geese but if they’re in a park and the path happens to go through their flock, I go way around. I know what the pinch from a goose can feel like, and much more, DO to you. They can deliver a blood blister like no one’s business and then come back at ya. In my head and heart, I alway swore I’d never own geese in my adult life – well, never say never.
I have been researching self-sufficiency and gardening quite a bit and have seen many mentions of “weeder geese.” I researched that a little more and it seemed like the perfect compliment to a farm and especially a large garden. I knew that geese were vegetarian and also knew that they were very personable (just never to this person) and smart. So I set out to order FOUR geese and found that my minimum requirement from the hatchery was eight. EIGHT! Ack! I was on the phone with Hubby when I read this on the website and he says, “Well just get eight then.” Excuse me? Could you put my husband back on the phone? What have you done with him? So I ordered eight, and they arrived last Wednesday. Annie and I have been completely involved with snuggling with little goslings now (and yes, she’ll correct you if you call them anything other than goslings.)
We had an unfortunate tragedy and are now down to seven. We lost a little goose we had named “Minnie May” and since she was the smallest and the frailest, I had thought that it was possible we would lose her. Annie found her, unfortunately, and had large tears – she has become the ultimate Goose Girl. To see her with them, I am grateful my heart changed to accept geese back in to my life. Of course, I can say that now while they’re small – we’ll see how it goes when they’re big.
Of course, who can resist such fuzziness anyway? We’re just full of peeps and giggles here at Mud Ranch.
A Lovely Evening
Sometimes all I need to lift my spirits is an evening out in nature, enjoying the scenery, with some great light, and my camera. Evening time is by far my favorite time of the day – I think clearer, my heart is lighter, and my senses are fully open. I love the cool breezes, the stillness, and the glowing light of a sun setting.
Annie and I have this great spot, high on the side of a mountain that over-looks town. I caught a glimmer of Old Town last week and then noted a few days ago that the glimmer would be best at around 7 pm. So we headed up around then and have to pass by some old settling ponds – look at what Annie spotted. I had my big 300mm prime lens with me so snapped it on and got this shot before the couple darted off.
Not all that awesome of a shot as I was still in manual mode and the lighting was hard to adjust for, but I do like how you can see the blue in the female’s wings.
And this was the shot I was “shooting for” – pun intended. The shot I got before was in the middle of the day when the light was more flat, tonight I got sparkle and that made me pretty happy. In the picture is the “Old Bridge” which was built in 1901 and is still in service, the Old Hotel and a few other buildings from the 1800′s. This was the booming part of town, built right along the river and within walking distance to the one room schoolhouse and the old Congregational church which are both still standing (the Schoolhouse is now a library.)
I turned around, almost directly behind me from the Old Town shot, and here’s our place. Our barn in the far distance, and the house with the shop closer with Hank watching for deer or activity in the woods beside us. It’s always nice to know a dog is on the watch.
And here’s our barn with the Mud Ranch flock taken with my 300mm prime again. Quite a big difference, eh? I love all the green, it’s so vibrant and the peacefulness of the evening just glows.
Annie, Hank and I all went back down to the settling ponds and took some more photos, this time of what was happening right around us. Annie loves to race around the embankments of the ponds.
Then settle down next to her favorite dog – a perfect ending to a perfect evening.
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