YIKES!!! That was a close call!!!!

This morning we helped Dwight, Lee and Rob move some cow/calf pairs "across the oil"..... which was west from their place a couple of miles. ...."the oil" is the Kilgore road.   It all went pretty good --- no troubles with the calves wanting to go back to find their mama.    Then on the way home we stopped to talk with Dan and Sheri ----- "did Dan want to go look at the well timer  ....out by Rosebud.... that was giving him trouble?"    "Yes".    He had to go get a load of bulls from the Hard Grass Ranch and then he would give Gary a call.

About 2:00 Dan came and picked Gary up with 2 bulls in the trailer that he would put with the cows that were already out there.  According to Sheri ---- those bulls gave her a bit of grief.   "Dan says, 'just stand there'......I don't want to stand there"......  and I added 'and get run over'.   Anyway ----- on with the story......

Next to the cow tank (water tank) is a fenced in little 4 foot X 4 foot area where the electric box and well is located.  Gary had just climbed over the fence and into this little area when he heard a "buzz".....he looked and.... yup!!! --- rattlesnake.  Needless to say he climbed back up on the fence and yelled for Dan (who at the time was unloading the bulls)...... bring a shovel!!!!!

The rattlesnake measured 44 inches.......  cousin Lee had just killed a 50 incher out by Dwight's place.  We heard the record length of a rattlesnake (perhaps from this area) is 57 inches.   So these two were right up there in size!!

We really don't need to encounter anymore of these creatures ----- thank you.   Thank goodness there weren't any strikes!!!

And that was our excitement for the day......oh yeah ---- Gary took me out for supper at the Peppermill.......a nice end to a good day.

God Bless!
Gary and Barb

More of God's Creation

First, I have to say that I was totally wrong on the "Pine Warbler"...that was a female Goldfinch -- or else a young Male Goldfinch that hasn't gotten his beautiful yellow feathers yet.   Anyway just wanted to put in that correction.

TODAY ---- we were blessed with this beauty.... My photo skills weren't very good --- got too excited and too close (with the zoom)--- but at least it's proof that we had this beauty on our deck.

This is an Indigo Bunting....  According to Audubon -- they eat the same thing as the Goldfinch and we have LOTS of them..... I haven't seen him again today --- but then we don't sit in front of the window all day either.

I told you we had a Black Headed Grosbeak.....here he is...

And then I just have to share one more photo.... These little guys are so pretty...

Today it's quite windy and it's fun to watch a bird sitting in the tree and having the ride of his life as he clings to a tree limb that's just swaying in the wind.

We also have Robins that come to our bird water-er.   The Robins are here all winter and from their droppings it looks like they eat the Cedar Tree "berries" --- can't be very tasty - but must have enough of something for them to live on.

I suppose we're not very loving to all of God's creatures.......the Blackbirds and Grackles.... we chase them away.  They are a nasty bird that scares all the other birds away.     So --- SHOO!!!!!

Gary was gone to Michigan last week....helping Mike get the corn planted.   It's good to have him back home again.  He did the trip out to Michigan in one day....... body was just buzzing from sitting so long - driving so long.   So he decided not to do that on the way home.......  Stayed overnight in Norfolk, NE and made it home just in time for the Potluck at church.

We had over 3 inches of rain last week.....more last night again.   So things are nice and green but now we need some warm sun to make things grow.  We had frost -- but I got everything covered in the garden in time and save most everything.

Gary is working on our lawn mower......can't get that thing figured out --- but it won't start.    FRUSTRATING!!!!  Thankgoodness for good neighbors that let us borrow their spare.

God Bless
Gary and Barb

Some of God's Special Creatures

We've been enjoying the birds this spring.   I've captured a few on film.... so will share them with you.  

 This little wren has been working so hard on making her nest in the top of that skull --- which is right outside my window as I type on the computer.  She struggles with pieces of grass that are too long or ?? stiff.   But somehow she gets them down there.   I had cleaned out the skull earlier hoping she would be back.   Anyway, we had one just like her doing the same thing last year.    These little guys will sit and sing and sing and sing.   FUN!!!

 This one is an Orchard Oriole.  They will come to our feeder and eat the grape jelly that I have out.    We've had Baltimore Orioles here and I was hoping for one of them --- but will gladly feed these!!  They are a small bird with quite a dark breast.

 I think this one is a Pine Warbler --- definitely different from the Gold Finch!!!  My bird book tells me they are probably just passing through on their migration.

We have also seen a Black Headed Grosbeak.....you kind of think your looking at an Oriole -- but the beak is much heavier.   Haven't been able to get a picture of it yet.

And then I have to say that this lovely plant - Kalanchoe - is from two wonderful friends who remembered me on Mother's Day.   Thank you Jean and Janel --- you are SPECIAL!!!!   I hope I can keep it alive and get it to bloom again.

Gary is almost to Michigan as I am typing .... He is going to help our son, Mike, with spring planting. I opted to stay home and get the garden planted and take care of our dog and cats and chickens.     I'm a little bit afraid that once I'm done with a few things here ----- time will drag.   But maybe - just maybe I'll get some "cow fix" in.....help a few neighbors move cows/calf pairs out to pasture.     We shall see........

We  had a couple of nice rains just lately ......almost an inch total.   So that will help the grass and crops grow!!  Our lawn is nice and green even if it is mostly weeds.....or should I say dandelions!!!

Release Time is finished once again......but JDC and Alcohol Recovey will continue.

Take care and enjoy the nice weather!!!
Barb (and Gary)