Vix Voice

New Life...

I never grow tired of spring or of the new life it brings. Each year we've lived at Chickadee Farm, we've been blessed with hatchlings in the barn. Sometimes sparrows, sometimes robins, sometimes both. I always take pictures, and the funny thing is, they always look pretty much the same. But somehow, someway, each year's photo of baby birds in our barn feels like such a renewal to me.

I thought I'd missed the show this year. By the time I saw the robin babies over the barn door that leads to our pasture, they were large...fledglings, in fact. About to fly the nest. I never did get that photo, and I was sad.

But surprise! Another group of hatchlings - swallows - peeked above the top of the gorgeous nest on the middle beam of our barn. Last year, no babies were born in that nest, and so I was thrilled to see a trio there this year.

Another year at Chickadee Farm. These years are good ones. Just look at the life that surrounds us.

The Wild Show Continues

I really thought the spectacular critters of Chickadee Farm were done, at least for the moment. And, no, I haven't seen our delicious Indigo Bunting again, so I just had to republish his photo, he was that gorgeous. But I was wrong about the critter sightings being over. Boy, was I ever. Day after the bunting, I spotted this quite spectacular Baltimore oriole in our apple tree. Isn't he a beauty? And so you don't think I'm just about the flash, check out the sweet chickadee  and grosbeak. And the goldfinches are everywhere, of course. But as much as I love our birdies, as they used to say in Show Biz, "That ain't all, folks."

Picture it - one a.m., two nights ago, Muffin (our wee black dog) starts howling. Soon, Burt , our Brittany, joins in, as does Gracie, our basset hound.  For those of you who know me well, you've figured out what all the howling was about:  a bear. Not just any bear, but a Large Ursine Creature.  He or she (somehow, she seemed awfully female to me)  stole our feeders, which we should have not had out at night, and came right up on the deck while Bill , myself and the dogs were howling-shouting at her. She reached up and stole the suet feeder!  This was one gutsy bear. She hung around for about ten minutes, then vamoosed.  Sorry the photo isn't better, but here she is:

But are we done? Heck no! (I think Phil's been busy, sending this raft of critters  our way.)  The following morning, after we'd retrieved the feeders, yet before we'd put them out (now only during the day), we had another Large Visitor. This one is right in front of my office sliding window. Did I notice right away? Naw. See, I was busily composing  when I sensed a Presence ,  a Large Presence  looming. So I looked up, and what did I see? (No, not an out-of-focus shepherd's crook), but a bear, a different bear. This fella (or girl) was smaller, less gutsy, and far more tentative. Plus, he was out during the day. Unusual. Hysterical with excitement, I grabbed my Nikon, still set on the night-time setting, and shot away, hence the not-so-hot images. But, heck, I bet you get the idea. 

 

And today?  Gorgeous, sunny, and  filled with the smell of spring and an absence of large, furry creatures. Maybe they'll be back, or not, since we've taken in the feeders. But, you know, I figure we've been blessed. 

Wild at Chickadee Farm

If you who think we lead a boring, tedious life here in New Hampshire at Chickadee Farm, we'd like you to check out today's visitors. They were quite remarkable. First was Foxy, who visits regularly. Problem is, I can't seem to grab my camera fast enough, as she crosses the yard and then disappears into our woods. Here's a not-so-hot photo:

We were thrilled to see her, but wait! The dogs began howling soon after Foxy left, and we had a sweet young buck come visit for a bit of nosh. He was not disappointed, and he lingered quite awhile.

Finally, when we were all calmed down, we celebrated the Main Event -- Bill noticed something bright blue on the feeder just outside my office. At first we thought it was a bluebird, but once we checked out the bird book, we knew we were being visited by an Indigo Bunting, a bird neither of us has ever seen in person before. Mind you, he's perched less than ten feet from where I write my novels. Cranberry, our young kitty, was quite disappointed she couldn't reach the Indigo. Isn't he gorgeous? It was raining, and I had to shoot through glass, but what a treat!

So, no, life on the farm is never boring, and sometimes we're blessed with unexpected visitors who give us a thrill.

Happy Day.

P.S. - I'd like to think that just maybe the Indigo Bunting was a sign from Phil, saying that he was okay, that all was as it should be, that we would see him again. I know - sounds sort of crazy. But stranger things have happened.

She's Alive! She's Alive!

Can't you just hear those words from Frankenstein? The one with Boris Karloff? I sure can. Shows you what I was doing as a kid - watching Million Dollar Movie and becoming enthralled with the cinema.

Yes, I am alive. Yes, I did get The Bone Man in on February 28, at 4:50p.m. Thank heavens for deadlines.

Bill's been in Florida, fishing with a buddy. I've been here recovering from 10 to 12-hour days of pounding the keys. Did I mention the new infection? Well, natch I picked up a sinus infection. Who knows from where. Just got antibiotics and I'm beginning to feel semi-human again. Last night I did make it to my Photoshop class. I'd like to point out it was 2 degrees in Sharon, NH, whereas in Hancock it was zero.

I have missed Bill -- who's on his way home -- but have not been lonely. These photos are how come:
Here's Miz Gracie. She's taken my blanket, my mini-couch, and my pillow and  made it her own.

Here's Mr. Burt and Mr. Muffin. (Muffin was just under my desk, but a highly dangerous squirrel appeared outside the door, hence his prep for battle.) You may note that Burt is not greatly concerned with the squirrel.

Finally, here's Ms. Cranberry. Note her position on my desk. Yes, she loves chasing mice, of the computer kind, and tends to interfere with all sorts exotic machines. She's a real love bug.

Hope you're all doing swell. Time to start a new book!

Darlin' Doggies

Adorable Doggies
Originally uploaded by Vix Photos.

Fabulous dogs, including this happy Australian Sheep Dog.

August Visitor

August Visitor
Originally uploaded by Vix Photos.

We had a visitor at Chickadee Farm recently. She - and I presume "she" is a she due to her relatively small size - sauntered across our yard on some undefined mission. The barking of our three dogs failed to deter her. She was quite magnificant. Life is always a surprise at Chickadee Farm.