All Work and No Play...No Fun!

All work and no play…well, it just isn’t a lot of fun.  The Bagley Pack and Cousin Rosie have done their best to get in plenty of play, and they have kept us entertained as well.  

The dogs are glad social distancing doesn’t apply to them, and so are we.

Kota loves sticks

They're good for chewing as well as play.

She is also quite the hunter; imagine how surprised I was to see her high up in this brush pile.

I was afraid she would get stuck, but she exited with no trouble

Kota turned 10 in January, but she still enjoys her runs

Rue, too, is an avid hunter.

She thinks there's a mouse under every log.

Playing ball is also a favorite, but we don't usually do it at the farm.

Something she can do here is "help" with showers....Tonight she's waiting for someone to take one (a toy is required for her to do it right).

But best of all is working stock. (Thanks to our friend Lindsey Posner Williams for this image.)

And especially herding or watching over "her" cows.  It's her kind of fun.

Cousin Rosie loves being part of the pack.

At nearly 8 months old, she is almost full grown, but still full of puppy,

...and doing her best to keep up with her cousins.

Cody is enjoying his new life with the Bagley Pack.  Having fun is something he's very good at.

With Rue and Kota as coaches and mentors, Cody has become an enthusiastic squirrel hunter.

When he first came to us, Cody thought cows were big, scary things.  He's still not as brave as Rue, but he's learning to move our stock with confidence.  However, sheep are his favorite to stock to work.  But "work" isn't what it is for Cody...working stock is fun!

He came to us already trained to herd sheep, which he does with focus and enthusiasm.  As soon as self-quarantining and social distancing restrictions are lifted, we hope to be back on the herding trial field.

No matter whether they're helping us with farm chores,

or posing for a family portrait in the bluebonnets, it's all fun if you're a Bagley dog!

Have a Blessed Easter

Our thoughts and prayers are with friends and family today.  In this season of self-quarantine, John and I had our own special Easter Son-Rise service this morning.  

We missed being with you all, but were truly blessed to be able to celebrate the resurrection of our Lord in this beautiful spot.  Happy Easter. We love you.

Warbler in the Woods

As John and I and the dogs walked along the top of the mountain yesterday morning, I first heard one of our golden-cheeked warblers singing near the top of the area we call warbler canyon.  I pulled out my cell phone and selected the Audubon app, then dialed up the warbler’s call and played it.  Nothing, no response from my feathered friend.  We walked on.  Finally John said he had work to do and moved on with Kota and Rue.  Cody and I paused, me listening for another warbler and Cody being a good boy and walking quietly beside me.  

The golden-cheeked warbler is a small wood warbler, only about 4 1/2 inches long.   The male has bright gold cheeks, contrasting with a black crown and back and black-and-white on its wings.  It is striking when you’re lucky enough to see one.  The male’s most common call is described as “a buzzy zee, zoo, zeedee, zeep.”  It’s not easy to describe, but distinctive.  

This warbler is endangered, with an estimated population of some 21,000 birds.  It breeds only in a small area of Central Texas from Palo Pinto County southwestward along the eastern and southern edge of the Edwards Plateau to Kinney County.    It is the only bird species that nests entirely in the state of Texas.  It is also unusual in that for nesting it only uses the north-facing slopes of mixed oak-juniper woodlands.  Our farm fortunately has some very good habitat and a healthy warbler population.  Below in the distance is a view of their hillside habitat seen from our back patio.

The males usually arrive the farm in mid-March, and the females soon after.  They raise their families and stay until late July, when they return to their winter habitat in the pine-oak mountain forests of Mexico and northern Central America.  They are most easily located here when they are establishing their territories and nesting.  This is when I try to locate one by its song and try to get a photo.  

As Cody and I neared the area above the rattlesnake den (where we never go, even at this time of year when the snakes have left to forage), I heard another warbler and stopped to call again.  This time, almost immediately I heard a warbler “chip,” the sound they make when investigating something of interest or to warn away intruders.  I looked up, trying to locate him among the branches as he moved quickly from place to place, alternately singing and chipping.  If you look carefully, you may be able to spot him in the upper left corner above, so you'll understand how hard they are to see.

Finally, my quarry showed himself, and gave me a good 10-15 minutes of his time.  It’s not often one stays close for that long, so I felt very blessed.  After numerous shots of bird-among-the-branches, 

he finally settled on a dead branch and gave me a chance to get some images.  I hope you enjoy them, and if you have a chance to visit sometime when we aren’t under quarantine, we’ll take you out so you can see one for yourself.  

Hugs, Blessings and Happy Easter!  

Keepin' On

Not much has changed in the last 10 or so days.  We are “keepin' on keepin' on.”  We made a short trip back to Volente last week to pick up prescriptions and some meat from our freezer.  We found traffic light and almost everyone practicing a lot of hand-washing or using their hand sanitizers.  We did the same.  So far, Hamilton County, where the farm is located, has only one confirmed case of COVID-19, someone who was not from this area who was treated and transported elsewhere.  We are trying to abide by all the rules, and hope that we can avoid the virus.

Back at the ranch, we are continuing with our chores…clearing cedar and other invasive species, along with Michal’s brother and sister-in-law, Allan and Jefflyn Jones.  

Once the brush is cut and stacked and has dried a bit, we set the fires.  John's propane "pear burner" (aka flame thrower) helps get them started in a hurry.

The dogs watch from the safety of the ‘Gator while we light and tend the blazing piles.

Then, when released they do what dogs do…run and have fun!

Cousin Rosie is thrilled to have time with her cousins, and spends much of her time with her pack.  At seven months, she puts a Tasmanian devil to shame for activity, and draws her share of "border collie smiles" from Rue and Cody. 

Rue, of course thinks the most fun thing is to be with her cows. 

When they graze close to the house, she takes advantage of the situation and spends some quality time with them.

Our small herd doesn't just graze in the pasture, though.  If someone leaves the yard gate open, they come in to mow and fertilize. 

Rue and Cody are happy to escort them out when they're finished. 

For the next several months, they will have one less animal to herd.  General, our 1800-pound Hereford bull is going on vacation.  On Thursday, he left to spend several months with another rancher's herd.  

This will allow our cows to calve and then all breed back within a short time when General returns.  That way, most of our calves will be the same age when we are ready to sell them, making life much easier for us.   

In terms of other news....  

The anniversary gift John ordered for me finally arrived.  How many of you have your very own, personalized boot jack!?   I feel very special.

We're also pleased to have both stock ponds full and the creek running well.  

One of the cardinals that flit through the trees around the house has discovered the bird seed I put out.  Maybe soon he will find the feeders as well.

The iris are blooming in our front yard, 

and the wildflowers are coming into their glory,

giving me a chance to get this year's first dogs-in-the-bluebonnets portrait.

And, this season's last (we hope) cold front gave me an opportunity to make my favorite Italian sausage, potato and spinach soup.  Yum!  We're thinking of all of you and praying that you are safe and well, as well as well-fed and well-stocked with toilet paper.  Take care and we hope to be able to hug you soon.