2020 – A.K.A. “Scamdemicapaloosa”…

 

Ride ‘Em Cowgirl!

Late August 2020. Well, maybe that should be “goatgirl”!? Here Robin demonstrates her “caprestrian” prowess. Zippy loves it, really he does.

 

Chickens and a Camp Fire

Late August 2020. Whilst the days have been hot and humid, the evenings have been cooling off somewhat. Here is one of our first evening “camp fires” burning up wood from last year’s forestry work. Don’t worry, we’re never going to run out of wood for the fire! As always, there are chickens in the mix…

 

And Then There Were Ten

Late July 2020. Four more ewes were introduced to the flock to give a total of ten. Between them they should be able to keep the grass down in the meadows/pasture and help tame the other vegetation. Be of peaceful mind ladies because you’re never going to go “out for lunch” (a somewhat cutesy euphamism for the market). Oh, it’s also pretty funny to watch the goats’ reaction.

 

Planting the Corn

May 2020. On a beautiful, sunny, day in late May we planted feed corn. Here Robin pulls Jimmy, who is manning the antique seed planter. In the past he used his Percheron horses to pull it (you can see a picture of this on the Brentwood Newsletter website). I thought this was a good way to record for posterity the use of this tool from a by-gone era.

2020

 

Early Morning Deer

April 2020. Here we see a couple of deer along the driveway in the early morning. You can hear the “dawn chorus” of the birds, including Lucky the rooster! Why is he called Lucky? Well, he’s still alive, isn’t he?

Goats Encounter Tyrone for First Time

April 2020. Here’s a funny one. Apparently the goats have never seen a cat before! Here’s a snipit of their encounter. Too bad, but right after this movie ends, the goats and Tyrone the cat freak each other out (by staring too hard?) and scatter!

Jeepers Peepers

April 2020. The peepers are out in force. So nice to hear something reassuringly normal in these somewhat weird and disturbing times. (Turn volume up).

“Butt Out Zippy Lips”

April 2020. “What’s that?” you say. Well, Zippy the goat has those funny lips that sort of quiver when he tries to nibble whatever it is you are holding. Just a silly nickname for him…

What’s That?

March 2020. Here we are still in early March and the animals are going out into the field daily now. Grass is beginning to grow and there is no sign of snow in the forecast. On their way back home for the evening, it looks like the sheep have found something of interest!

 

The Dinner Dance

March 2020. Here #5, otherwise known as Dolores, does her little dinner dance in anticipation of some sweet grain. Geez lady, the Lipizzaners have nothing on you!.

More Winter Sheep

February, Late 2020. As you can see, most of the snow has gone, again. Here a couple of sheep have wandered out from the barn area to see if there’s something to eat.

Big Bird Bros

February 2020. These three handsome fellows have become regular visitors. They come out of the woods, dine a while at the bird feeder and then wander off down the driveway. Yes, the snow is back for now – the white flecks are bits of it falling off the roof.

Winter Goats and Sheep

January 2020. Every winter we’ve spent here at Coverts Corner has been different: really cold, not so cold; massive snow, very little snow; early snow, etc. This winter the cold started early, December was unusually cold, but after a two-day storm that dumped nearly 24″ of snow, most of it melted. Here are the goats and sheep out behind the house actually finding something to eat in the pasture. Naturally, Tyrone looks on.