counting crows

Not the band, the bird. I couldn't get this 9 sec video to load on my recent walk-a-bout post, but it finally works. Volume up!

 

I was getting scolded (and worried)

I have been attacked by a bird before. Not my idea of fun. It wasn't a Crow, it was a Red-wing Blackbird. I was biking on a path in the wide open, and it was protecting its nesting area out for blood. I know they signify Spring and people adore them, but I don't. They are mean, and relentless and the reason I no longer bike that path.

Songs have been written/sung about Red-winged Blackbirds, like this sad song by Kathy Mattea and this poem about someone else pedaling fast past them. Without being scarred for life.

Google says this about them:

"In animal symbolism, seeing a red-winged blackbird, a beautifully crafted song bird manifesting strength and agility when flying, means that you need to draw out from inner self that beautiful you. They also protect their mates and other birds by chasing away even larger predators. They do not fear"

I digress. Back to counting crows. Not sure what was going on the day of the video. I thought about bringing a tennis racket, or my handgun along next time I headed into the main trail pines. The crows sounded mad! Like I could actually hit an attacking bird even if I tried, ha!! I would be better off with a tennis racket, but who needs more things to carry. Not me. Any who, the following day I found these along the trail in the exact area of the video:

one

two

three
(not sure if from a crow, but near other feathers)

four

five

Technically, I am counting crow feathers. I sure as heck wasn't going to try and count the crows cackling above my head the day of the video. So, maybe there was something else going on - or more likely they were just molting. 

No crows scolding me today, so I went along my happy way. Last year I wedged a small red glass heart on our spooky trees, because I love them! Of course it has since disappeared, and now I feel like a litter bug. Which I am not. In fact, a few weeks back I picked up an entire garbage bag full of others trash (some likely blew off our old fashion garbage trucks) on both sides of our road that border our property. I earned my Girl Scout points that day :)) Somebody has to do it. 

I am going to bring my gardening claw thingee next time and scrounge around to see if I can find my lost heart. Hmm, the claw would be good for protection if needed. I found this growing in it's place:

 my love sprouted

We have a high of 77F predicted today. It was so nice and cool in the pines, but otherwise a hot walk hike. Note to self; get outside earlier!! Hope you are enjoying nice weather!

freshly fallen pine needles

 

weeks of wonder

Weeks have passed and I have continued enjoying my walks with the dogs, almost every day. Not sure how long they will continue between the ticks & eventually the flying blood suckers. Last year I just stopped going into the woods over the summer :(

My walks don't feel much like hikes any more, and I don't physically feel any different. They must be good for something, other than clearing my head. Not sure why the walks no longer feel like hikes, other than without snow the paths seem shorter. Pretty sure they aren't. I am not a fast walker, especially these days. I must be walking them faster tho. Not intentionally. 

Googled and found this:

"The difference between hiking and walking is that hiking is described as a long walk, often done for pleasure on trails through the woods or country. Walking is the term used to describe the everyday activity for short distances."

I am staying away from the arena area path while the guys are working. I also no longer walk the upper loop in the prairie/dump area because sadly it isn't safe for the dogs. Debris has worked its way up and among other things there is a lot of broken glass. Brad & I picked a bunch up a few weeks back. More keeps appearing on the cleared paths. It makes me think broken pieces of anything and everything are everywhere, I just can't see it. Not sure how that area will ever be safe for walk-a-bouts with horses and dogs. Brad assures me it will. The prairie area is lower priority and got an initial clearing last year to get paths started. We have a lot left to do.

For now, if I want to go for a longer walk I take the connecting paths twice and/or walk along the edge of the back field. I am considering taking two shorter walks instead, one in the morning and one early evening. Maybe. Maybe not. Eventually all areas of our property will be connected, and this will be a non-issue. Unless of course, I want even longer hikes ;)

I absolutely still stop when something catches my eyes. Here is a mixed collection of photos from a couple weeks of wondering around:

reminds me of ground sedum

so many places for woodland fairies to hide

little nook at the base of a large tree

muscari

bright red tree buds
(red maple?)

Nemo and Koda want to know when they get to go exploring

Harmony hasn't been on a trail since before we bought her. She is more of an arena girl. I think she would be fine being ridden with a light confident rider. I would like the poor girl to do something, even if ponying or hand walking with us. She is a good horse, that has been trained in every discipline. Hopefully her girl will give her some attention now that she moved back in with us.

Tinkerbell has been hanging out in the lower pasture woods
away from the noisy builders

this fun-guy has been laying around in the middle of a path for a while


ferns grow anywhere


natures supper table

Brad planting the last field with hay

We are no longer growing alfalfa. Nemo & Cierra can't eat it, so why grow it.


Nemo coming over to say hi

the lone leaf is still hanging around

empty milkpods

I couldn't chose between these last two photos
I like them both for different reasons

how do some of them still have seeds?

I suppose I should get my head out of the clouds and get some work done. Stay well my friends!

productive week ~ build-an-arena

we started a slow warming trend
 on day seven of the build

horses have a closer view of the build
now that they got rotated to the upper pasture

two south facing windows that open
will help with circulation

Brad will be borrowing the builders lift this weekend to add some blocking for the Humongous Big Ass Fans, lights and garage doors. If you thought our barn fans were big, just wait. He wanted to test the equipment out before the guys were done for the week. I got to ride along for some different views, as the sun was starting to set: 

Altho it is fun to ride on equipment, I am always happy to get my feet back on the ground. 

the smaller door closest to us faces the outdoor

there will be a short path through the tree strip between the two arenas

19 trusses ready for a roof

west side view

window reflections

trusses are anchored
not sure what the empty jugs are for, other than awareness

arena sunset dreaming

putting tin up on the west side

at the same time tin was going up on the east side

arena looks taller from the outside
(13 seconds)

end of day seven - inside



end of day seven - outside

Yesterday (Friday) was day eight of the build and wrapped up a productive week. It started with windy short truss filled days and ended with good progress closing up the arena sides. The roof was suppose to go on, but the equipment they need is still on another job site. Guess we will have to share ;) They also had some equipment malfunction yesterday, that ended the work day early. The builders said they *might* be done building by the end of next week. 

tree shadows caught my eye

Tanks waiting at his spot for the horses

Brad walking horses up from the feeder
It was so nice out, none of us really wanted to go inside

the east side looks so long now

unfortunately we couldn't get matching tin colors
(arena vs barn L-R)

The tin would not have matched exactly, even if we went with the barn builder we used. The sun fades tin color. At least that is what I keep telling myself. I don't think the horses will mind.

barn window
I am easily distracted by reflections

arena window
(truss reflections)


end of day eight - view away from barn

end of day eight - view towards barn

Thanks for taking the time to read & response to my many arena posts! We are getting a little closer to the finish line and back to regular programming.